In today’s modern world, Western medicine seems to have a fix for everything imaginable.
Almost every illness has a pill designed to to alleviate the symptoms and provide the patient with a degree of relief.
Traditional medication for mental illness, however, can have lasting negative effects on the body and mind. Some of the side effects of common medications designed to treat depression and anxiety – like Prozac and Xanax – can include upset stomach, sleep problems, weight fluctuation, slurred speech, blurred vision and muscle weakness.
These drugs can also be very addictive. Many people who take Prozac for depression report having an extremely difficult time getting off the drug, resulting in extensive withdrawal symptoms or relapse.
Many people who have taken these drugs for a long time are looking for a safer yet effective solution to their mental illness.
What if there were an extremely effective natural solution to heal the body and mind with minimal to no side effects?
Adaptogenic herbs and roots, an ancient healing modality, could be the solution.
Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that help the body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical or biological.
These herbs have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions and are just now becoming popular in the West for treatment of physical and mental ailments.
Certain adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola have been reported to help certain conditions like long-term and acute stress and anxiety.
These adaptogens have proved to be very effective with little to no adverse side effects on the body.
In a controlled study to test the effectiveness of ashwagandha on relieving symptoms of stress, a group of participants with chronic stress were either given a placebo or ashwagandha capsules to take for 60 days. At the end of the 60 days, the group taking the ashwagandha exhibited a significant reduction in symptoms of stress compared to the group taking the placebo.
Switching from prescription medication to adaptogens may be a much safer way to treat mental illness and chronic stress. Adaptogens can also help treat other ailments such as hormone imbalance, Attention Deficit Disorder, and a weak immune system.
Many have their doubts about natural alternatives to Western medicine, but adaptogens have proved to be a safe and effective treatment of illness in the human body.
Non-addictive and with minimal side effects, these all natural herbs may be the alternative for your prescription medicine that you’ve been looking for.
By Gabby Marchese
CougarBuzz 