Posted by stjames on October 21, 2000, at 1:13:24
In reply to Re: NATURAL ALTERNATIVES?, posted by GLYN on October 20, 2000, at 19:44:20
> Any natural anxiolytics that actualy work? ANything even nearly as powerfull as a benzo - even 10% of the action would do me. I have tried a homeopathic remedy called Rescue Remedy and it did zilch - not even a faint difference.
james here....Kava Kava or Valerian would be my choice.
I feel the herbal movement does false advertising.
The word "natural" is thrown about. The assumptions
are that 1) natural chemicals are different from synthetics
and 2) this accounts to lower side effects. There is no difference between "natural" and
synthetic and the reason there are fewer side effects is because
most herbs are weak agents. Weaker med = fewer side effects. Prescribed meds
are usually very strong, after all who is going to pay the see the doc and shell out
lots of $ for meds if it takes a month to clear an infection ? BTW, I got this argument
from reading Dr. Weil. As not to bash herbs too much I will point out that it is a lot ez'er
for nature, through organic chemistry, to cook up new molicules than us in the lab. Nature has
also been cooking much longer than we have been doing chemistry. Molecules that a plant or your liver make
with ease are huge processes in the lab. There is still a lot to be found that will be useful. "Ask the plants
of the earth and they will teach you." Job 12:8GLYN's question does point toward where herbs are useful. Herbs, being less concentrated,
are not as strong. Good for when the big guns are not needed. I do cringe when someone with
significant illness decides to "go herbal". If the strong meds are not working, switching to
the weaker ones makes no sence. I posted a study the shows SJW is as effective in mild
depression, with fewer side effects than Prozac or Tofranil, can't remember which.
james
poster:stjames
thread:46866
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46939.html