Natural Medicine was created, in part, to invite conversation about natural healing and alternative therapies. We wanted to be a support group and a way for those interested in herbalism, yoga, tai chi, TCM and other healing modalities to connect and share resources and wisdom. For some of us at the beginning of what we are calling our ‘natural medicine journey’, the Discord channel and #naturalmedicine tag is a real blessing. We have conversations about making our own herbal tinctures, what to use for thrush or what essential oils might be good for headaches. We discuss the medicinal qualities of particular herbs, chat about meditative practices and what might be good natural medicines to support our mental health.
We are resistant to Big Pharma, of course, as we’ve learnt not to trust it and with good reason too. Many of us have negative experience with mainstream medicine – but that’s for another conversation. This conversation is, in part, to recognise the need for allopathic medicine in our lives too. We recognise the funding that has gone into science that supports modern medicine (whilst wishing a little bit more of that went into alternative therapies!) and know that an ‘avoid at all costs’ mentality might be quite dangerous. Immunotherapy for cancer, for example, shows great promise as an alternative treatment for cancer. Many doctors will recognise the use of particular herbs for anxiety – my own doctor, for example, is happy that I am taking St John’s Wort for anxiety over antidepressants. I was not going to suggest my sister drank a cup of chamomile and damiana tea when she was having chest pains, and she was right to call the ambulance that saved her life. Modern medicine is not always the devil, and a balance is always necessary and advisable - as is the case with most things in our lives!
Of course, we are all unique bodies with unique needs. One man’s poison can be another man’s cure, and the reverse is also true. Thus, it’s also important to know that advice offered to you must be taken in the spirit it is intended, and not as gospel truth. If someone has had wonderful success with Rescue Remedy for panic attacks, aloe vera for sunburn or elecampane for asthma, that’s fantastic news. They’re things worth talking about, and we love those conversations in Discord. However, we also must be prepared to research and find out for ourselves.
Whilst we have many practitioners in our group that are qualified in certain areas, like emotional freedom tapping, herbalism and TCM, and value their advice and many years of study and expertise, they really need to see you in person to make a full diagnosis and find the root cause of any problem. Are your headaches due to stress, or is there another cause for your pain? Is your stomach upset a bug, an allergy or a symptom of something more life threatening? Many of us are here are NOT experts – I certainly am not. Being part of this collective, we must value the need to be careful about what advice we offer people, and understand that if we ask for advice ourselves, ultimately, we're responsible for our own health – no one else.
With this in mind, we arrive at a more formal disclaimer for the purpose of clarity.
It’s important to recognise that any information offered on any blog or vlog on Steemit using the #naturalmedicine tag is for educational purposes only. Natural Medicine itself makes neither medical claim or intends to diagnose medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Natural Medicine neither endorses them nor is in anyway responsible for their content. Readers MUST do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements. If you are pregnant or nursing consult a professional before using herbs.
With all my love, and with utmost support for all of you on your natural healing journeys,
@riverflows and the whole Natural Medicine team.
