News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Dec. 30, 2021: According to the West Indies Cave Hill, of St. Michael in Barbados research findings, herbal medicine use has risen in the Caribbean.
Caribbean nationals use herbs such as Jackass bitters, Leaf of life, and Cheese fruit in everyday life to treat ailments. But why is the trend now surging? Researchers attribute this upward trend in the use of herbal medicine to the following reasons:
No Side Effects
Firstly, herbs such as Worts are like great alternativestoantidepressants, and such herbs have lesser side effects on users than conventional medicine. Unlike conventional drugs, these herbs contain various compounds, making them safer. A good example is a meadowsweet which contains salicylic acid that makes aspirin. Aspirin on its own can tear the lining of your stomach, but the use of this herb makes it safe due to the other compounds present.
More Affordable
The price difference is another reason for the rise in the popularity of herbal medicine in the Caribbean. Synthetic drugs have replaced the long-used herbal medication, but many people come back to it with widespread use and lower price. Personnel and biomedical resources are costly in the Caribbean, hence the shift to this alternative medication.
Naturally Healing
Medicinal herbs such as turmeric have proven to have natural healing properties. Compounds in herbs like turmeric, which contains Curcumin, boost the human body’s antioxidant enzymes. These herbal medicines work to restore the human body to its natural balance. However, since these medicinal herbs can react to conventional ones, it would be best to talk to your doctor before using them.
Readily Available
Herbal medicine is readily available, unlike the conventional one that you must source from a drug store, at times with a prescription. Some like vervine, olive bush, and aloe are available in the wild, hence bush medicine. If you want to use these herbs as medicine, it will help if you follow the instructions of a qualified and experienced herbalist. Some of them have mild side effects if you use them wrongly.
Strengthens The Immune System
Some herbs such as astragalus, garlic, green tea, and licorice can boost immunity. These herbal medicines have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help the body. Using these herbs with other ingredients such as honey helps with the immune response to body infection. In the process, it helps with cell proliferation and stops viruses. This is another reason why medicinal herbs are gaining traction in the Caribbean.
Stabilizes Hormones And Metabolism
Caribbean nationals have embraced herbal medicine due to its ability to stabilize hormones and metabolism. Instead of using drugs such as carbimazole, herbs such as senna come in handy as great alternatives. Medicinal herbs such as marjoram contain compounds with medicinal properties proven to help with hormonal balances, such as insulin, cortisol, and estradiol.
As much as people still use synthetic medicine, herbal ones are also widely used. Some of the benefits are the ones you have read in this article. However, it would help to seek the direction of your physician before you start using these herbal medicines. And remember to buy from a reliable vendor who produces high-quality medicine.