Monday, December 20, 2004

More People Turning to Herbs as Healthy Alternative

Health experts believe that more than 15 million inappropriate prescriptions are written every year by doctors in the United Kingdom. This is leaving many worried that the nation could be unable to fight off a new breed of super-bugs. In the United States, it is estimated that over 100,000 people die each year from prescription-drug related problems.

Is it any wonder that more and more people are turning to natural medicines in the form of herbal extracts to treat their illnesses or enhance their health? Herbal products are experiencing an unprecedented boom in popularity that is growing at a rate of more than 20% a year. As consumers become more educated on the health-enhancing properties of botanicals, their safety and lack of side effects relative to prescription medicines, botanicals are finding their way into medicine cabinets the world over.

Studies completed in Germany suggest a health-promoting role for more than 200 plant extracts. Indeed, it is estimated that one quarter of prescription drugs and hundreds of over-the-counter medicines were originally isolated from plants.
Effectiveness, safety, lack of side effects are the primary reasons for choosing herbal products.