Natural Therapies - Part one

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Aug 10, 2001

It has been long accepted that nature is well equipped to cure our ills and assist us on our path to better health. I often get nods of agreement when talking to people about this, and there is certainly no argument that treating our bodies naturally is the best way. Why is it then, that these same people will be the first to rush off to the pharmacy for a bottle of drugs whenever they get sick? How did the drug industry manage to convince us that we cannot even survive without their chemicals? I'd like to look at some natural therapies here, and some treatments and even some old wives tales. Some I've tried and sworn by, others I've seen and some I've just been told about or read.

I think it goes without saying that the best and most effective way to good health is to lead a healthy life. This includes breastfeeding, plenty of sunshine and fresh air, lots of nurturing, raw or fresh whole foods, loads of clear fluids and a tonne of laughter. It is also worth mentioning that quite often, there is no need to treat minor ills. The flu or the common cold for example, can be allowed to run it's natural course by consuming lots of fluids and getting some bedrest. Your immune system will be stronger for it, since most of these diseases and ills have a strengthening and cleansing effect on the body (much the same as giving your muscles a workout at the gym). It is widely believed in naturopathic circles that you will only catch the germs your body needs to give it a workout - which explains why we tend to get sick when we have let ourselves get run down. Furthermore, most diseases are of no threat to a healthy immune system, it is when we have derailed our body's natural defence mechanism with vaccines, antibiotics and the our "quick-fix" mentality that we need to be worried about the germs around us. That said, here are some natural ways of dealing with different health issues.

Take the Aloe Vera plant - this is one plant I would not be without. Breaking off a leaf will reveal it's clear, sticky gel, which has excellent cooling properties; making it a very effective balm for burns, scalds, dermatitis, ezcema, insect bites and rashes. The gel dissolved in water also makes a refreshing and very nutritious drink - although I hasten to admit the taste takes some getting used to!

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