Since the start of the pandemic, there’s been a great deal of misinformation about the kinds of medicines and remedies that you might be able to find outside of mainstream science. While the medical establishment may take a dim view of certain herbal remedies, preferring prescribed pills, there are good reasons to be suspicious of ordinary people advocating for unknown herbal remedies. So this guide’s all about how to find the information you can trust about natural remedies – and which you may be able to engage with right away to boost your health.
Superfoods
Much has been made in recent years about the so-called “superfood.” That noise is largely merited, given that there are certain foods, such as berries or fermented vegetables, that are jam-packed with exactly the kinds of foodstuffs that are known to boost the immune system and protect you from illness and disease.
However, some superfoods are better than others, and you’ll want to do your research to understand what certain superfoods can do for you. Broccoli, for instance, is fantastic as an alternate source of protein but won’t do a great deal to provide you with vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, blueberries are considered a superfood because of the vitamins they contain – not because they’re a nourishing way to build an entire diet.
Natural Alternatives
Then there are natural alternatives to the kinds of manufactured products we use every day. To give just one example, it’s possible to wash yourself using a natural sponge that has been sourced from the ocean in a sustainable way. There’s no need to purchase a plastic alternative, which will one day end up in the landfill. There are many of these natural alternatives, and all of them can be found online.
Getting to know where and when you can turn to a natural alternative is a brilliant way to expose yourself to fewer plastics and man-made materials. Still, it has the added benefit of boosting your green credentials. Just make sure that the natural remedies and alternatives you’re using are sustainably sourced so that you’re not having an adverse impact on the environment while you’re trying to achieve the direct opposite.
Supplements
Many supplements are manufactured, combining chemicals that your body needs into one easy pill. Others are remarkably natural, as with cod liver oil, which is considered one of the best sources of Omega-3 in the world. Further, there are supplement producers out there, such as Abundance & Health, which produce supplements combining natural, bioactive botanical extracts into one simple pill. These Neutrient Supplements are the perfect way to get the medical benefits in one simple step, rather than having to go about collecting flowers, seeds, and other natural remedies from the world around you to mix into a concoction of your own. If you’re short on time, these supplements are a brilliant way to engage in natural remedies.
Spring Water
Next up is the water you drink – and the water you may wash your vitamin supplements down with. Water is a healthy drinking source, of course, in its own right. However, that’s not to say that all water is created equal. In fact, water sources vary dramatically, and even different water treatment centres produce different water that tastes different when you pour it from your taps.
This is because there are “impurities” in water that can actually boost your health. Pure water, or H2O, isn’t necessarily all that healthy. However, water that contains vitamins and minerals extracted from rocks on the way to the Earth’s surface is incredibly healthy for you to drink. Iron, for instance, is useful for bone growth, and that’s often found in spring water. So if you’re interested in drinking healthier, it’s worth finding water sources that are not stripped of their natural minerals.
Nature Itself
Meanwhile, it’s worth mentioning that being in nature itself is its own source of remedy – proven by science. For instance, being surrounded by trees and the smells of nature has been shown to reduce anxiety and create in us a state of calm and peace that is beneficial for our mental and physical wellbeing. Meanwhile, cold-water swimming, or “wild swimming,” is regarded as healthy because it exposes us to environmental extremes that keeps our body healthy.
So as well as seeking products and foods that are derived directly from nature, you can also immerse yourself in nature as a remedy all of its own. Whether you choose to do this in the forest near where you live or on a week-long getaway into the natural world, spending some time away from the city, the pollution, and the artificial materials of everyday life can be seriously beneficial for your wellbeing.
These natural remedies can all help to boost your health. If you’re unsure of how to get involved in them or the science behind the recommendations, it’s always worth checking by researching the academic literature online.
