Are Natural Remedies the Future of Medicine?
How to tackle the common cold sans drugs and scary-sounding ingredients.
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.
This post is tagged as:
You may also like...
The Latest
People & Places
Creating Value Through Community in the Face of COVID-19
Fearing for the safety of the Diné community in the face of COVID-19, a collective of women took the wellbeing of their people into their hands.

Better Yourself
How to Feel Empowered Through an Abundant Mindset
Adopting this way of thinking is an act of generosity to ourselves and others.

Better Your Werk
Unlocking Your Next Career Move Post-lockdown
6 ways to turn job uncertainty into opportunity.

Do Good Werk
6 Ways to Make Gen Zs Feel Welcome in the Workplace
Generation Z, or ‘iGen,’ the generation born between 1996 and 2010, are entering the workplace in full force.

Better Your Werk
Goal Setting You Can Actually Feel Good About
A how-to guide on how to find the satisfaction you're searching for.

Better Your Werk
Is LinkedIn Losing Ground?
It’s not pretty to look at or friendly to use, so why do we keep logging in?

People & Places
When Something Golde Stays: An Interview with Golde’s Co-CEOs
“For us it was never a question,” says Issey Kobori, speaking of the decision to build a business with his partner Trinity Mouzon Wofford. At just shy of 27, Kobori and Wofford have secured a host ...

Better Your Werk
How to Make Working from Home Work for You
The staying sane strategy you may need, whether you like it or not.

Better Yourself
Keep Calm and Activate the Vagus Nerve
Easy and actionable practices for slowing down your system with psychologist Hiroko Demichelis Positive psychologist, Hiroko Demichelis believes that as a society, we have mastered the art of the h...

Better Your Werk
In The Era Of The Side Hustle, Is The Hobby Dead?
Why we should resist the pressure to constantly optimize for profit.

People & Places
Dr. Sarah Hill: Could Your Birth Control Pill Be Affecting Your Ability to Do Good Work?
When the first oral contraceptive pill was approved by the FDA in 1960, it changed the world. The pill enabled women to have control over how and when they got pregnant, and thus to discover what ...
