Do you use homeopathics/herbs/alt meds?

ArcticFox

Just curious if you girls are into natural medicines?

I do use a bunch of alternative stuff, but not necessarily for everything.  I take lots of herbs for cold/flu season (zinc, goldenseal, echinacea, etc), ginger for stomach issues, etc.  Tea tree oil for skin issues.  I'm sure I'm leaving out quite a few. 

I tried acupuncture for migraines but I couldn't afford to stick with it ($60 per visit and insurance didn't cover anything).

I have had to abandon a bunch of stuff while I was pregnant or nursing (like green tea or herbal supplements), but will when I am done.

 

uncannycanuck

I'll only use something if I can find both evidence it works and evidence it's safe. I use melatonin occasionally to help with sleep, and have also tried other herbal sleep mixes (but not with much success). Tea tree oil works wonders on cat scratches! That's about it for me - I worry about the lack of standardization among products and about drug interactions with my birth control and thyroid meds. I think there is more to be gained from good old fashioned exercise and a balanced diet than most things that come in bottles.

Alisha_A

Yes, and I was raised that way, but only when reasonable. I am pretty healthy, but I will take lysine (or give my pets lysine) at minor signs of an infection. We use arnica and some other natural compounds for muscle aches or inflammation. I love slippery elm for sore throats and its really helpful with dogs with diarrhea.

But I definitely had the strong antibiotics when I had a bad cellulitis infection in my leg, and I was all for the real anasthesia used during my arm surgery.

Both sides have their roles.

CarrieB.

yes, my DH and I have both been doing acupuncture and TCM herbs for IF. However I do not use the herbs during medicated cycles.

cyprissa

I believe in both conventional and homeopathic medicine/herbs. As far as alt medicine goes I've used melatonin, valerian root, arnica and an ear ache remedy and sinus remedy made by Similasin that worked really well. I think remedies should be evidence based and have enough information on interactions to be safe though.

Alirebco

I use some homeopathics for our family and some herbs.  DH and I also go to acupuncture regularly.  I actually believe that your diet (primal/traditional foods) and exercise (bikram yoga, other yoga, etc) can do more for your health and try to limit the amount of medicines, both homeopathic and allopathic.