Are Natural Remedies the Future of Medicine?

There’s a fair amount of apprehension when it comes to natural medicine — does it work? Is it safe? What about science? Consumers want remedies they can rely on, but they’re also starting to question the ingredients found in commonly prescribed over-the-counter medicine. (You know it’s bad when you can’t even trust your average drugstore multivitamin.) And when you stand at the crossroads of drugs versus vitamins, neither option proves perfect: drugs are reliably effective, and affordable, but full of unwanted, unnecessary ingredients; while vitamins, though natural, are often not scientifically sound, not readily available, and notoriously pricey.  

Straddling the in-between is where you’ll find Hilma. They offer an alternative that is both drug-free and backed by science at a time where people are seeking out different approaches to their health, but are not willing to sacrifice substance and evidence.

What does this new trend mean for your medicine cabinet? For some, it might mean that you’re reaching for the drugs inside less often — and turning to homemade tactics more, in order to avoid all those added sugars, dyes, and flavors that simply aren’t necessary (or beneficial). 

As outlined by Dr. Paul Grewal, here are three familiar common cold culprits, and no-nonsense ways to combat it:

• Poor diet: Dehydration and lack of nutrients can (and will) weaken your immune system. Power up on the vitamin-rich foods your doctor has been telling you to!
• Lack of sleep: If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body will be more prone to getting sick. Ensure you’re going to bed early enough to feel well rested in the morning.
• Lifestyle stress: Spending too much time in un-chill environments is, unsurprisingly, bad for your health. Set boundaries when appropriate and put your mental as well as your physical wellbeing first.

Subsequently, natural remedies for the common cold are prescribed in reaction to those culprits, and are incredibly simple: 

• Stay hydrated (that means water, and lots of it)
• Drink herbal tea (turmeric, ginger, and honey are all recommended ingredients) 
• Don’t stay stagnant (physical movement can help “circulate the lymphatic fluid to support your immune system”) 

Consider the ingredients in the above remedy: simple, affordable, and from Mother Earth. As with other industries that are shifting toward more natural alternatives (like clean beauty or the organic food movement), less is almost always more. Retaining autonomy as informed consumers means we must continue asking questions, demanding transparency, and really interrogating the ingredients list on everything we’re consuming (including, obviously, our medicine). In that way, we can change the way we interact with our bodies, for the better.