The use of herbal remedies for health purposes dates back thousands of years. Indigenous Americans originally used it as an antidote for poisons, wounds, and infectious diseases. After the discovery of antibiotics, natural medicinal plants were again utilized to treat bacterial infections. Herbal medicine is becoming more popular because people want to avoid or reduce side effects when taking prescription medications. Herbal remedies are considered a safe alternative to prescription drugs, but there are several concerns regarding the safety of these natural medicines.
In many cases, herbs can be cheaper and safer than pharmaceuticals with similar benefits. However, there has been some controversy over whether or not these products work as advertised. Here are some unusual rumors about herbal supplements,
1. Herbal Tea Contains Cancer-Causing Chemicals.
Most traditional teas contain ingredients such as ginseng, licorice, and other herbs that are known to promote good health. Unfortunately, harmful additives such as lead acetate, arsenic trioxide, zinc sulfate, and sulfuric acid may make their way into some of your favorite herbal products. According to scientists from the UK’s national Medical Research Institute, long-term exposure to these substances could cause serious harm.
2. Homeopathic Teas Cure Everything.
Homeopathy is based on the belief that all disease symptoms arise from too much heat or cold, resulting in excessive sweating or thirst. Homeopaths, therefore, take advantage of these symptoms to create special compounds that they believe will help relieve illness in the future. Unfortunately, although homeopathic treatments are widely available, scientific evidence does not support their effectiveness in treating illnesses. Since each individual is unique, different doses may be required for each person.
3. Herbs Speed Up Metabolism.
Many overweight individuals wish they had a pill that allowed them to shed pounds without exercise or diet changes effortlessly. Fortunately, Thrive has safe herbs, minimal thrive side effects, and other alternatives to this problem. Although some herbs can increase your metabolic rate, others can slow down your digestive system and cause weight gain over time. Dietary changes such as eating fewer calories, switching to low-fat foods, and increasing physical activity will help burn unwanted fat.
4. Herbs Can Improve Memory.
In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of certain herbal products that claim to improve cognitive function. However, these claims are often unsubstantiated and based primarily on anecdotal evidence. So many people would like to improve their memory because everyone wants to stay young. The truth is that aging is inevitable; however, we don’t know exactly how old our brain cells get until we die. in addition to age, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, smoking, lack of sleep, stress, depression, and alcohol abuse can contribute to lower cognitive function. Even mild traumatic brain injury can leave memory problems. Overall, these conditions affect short-term memory. However, there is no proof that herbal therapies improve memory function.
5. Herbs Have Magical Healing Properties.
There is a constant search for natural remedies for just about anything under the sun. Despite the abundance of alternative medicine, herbal medications remain an extremely popular form of treatment. It’s estimated that more than 30 million Americans rely solely on medicinal plants to heal chronic diseases. The list includes high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, urinary tract infections, and erectile dysfunction. However, scientific research has yet to confirm many of these claims and the possible side effects when using herbs.
6. Herbs Stop You From Getting Pregnant.
The use of herbal contraceptives is very common around the world. In many countries, women do not need a prescription to obtain birth control pills but pick up a packet of herbs and their morning coffee. However, adequate research has never been done to determine if these herbs prevent pregnancy. Herbal contraception may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate ovulation and sperm production. Furthermore, while most contraceptive pills require little thought or planning, using herbals can be complicated and requires careful timing.
If you’re considering taking any supplement, try to find one with standardized extracts of whole plant materials, stick with reputable companies that produce quality supplements, and read labels thoroughly before buying.
