Reports have it that Americans spend a little over $300 billion on prescription medication. This calculates to nearly half of all adults in America taking at least one prescription drug in the last 30 days and nearly a third, taking two or more.
That’s a lot of drugs, many of them used for treating the symptoms and masking the underlying condition. There are even drugs for the side effects caused by other drugs.
Yet, there are some pretty effective natural alternatives for almost any prescription drug a doctor could prescribe. The following are just some of them.
- Pain Medication such as Vicodin
Pain meds are some of the most prescribed drugs in the country with over 131 million prescriptions written every year. While drugs are a great way to alleviate pain, they are also addictive and can cause some unpleasant side-effects.
A good alternative would be to visit an acupuncturist or a chiropractor. Pain is often as a result of an imbalance in the body’s nervous system. Therefore, manipulating the nervous system can be effective in alleviating pain.
Cannabis crème like CBD salve can also be quite effective in relieving minor muscle aches and joint pains. Used daily, it can be just as effective as prescription painkillers minus all the side effects.
- High Cholesterol Medication Like simvastatin or atorvastatin
These drugs prevent the body from generating more cholesterol by inhibiting an important enzyme in the liver. The good news is, changing your diet can be just as effective. Foods like oats, garlic and red wine can lower bad cholesterol while helping improve levels of good cholesterol in the body.
- High Blood Pressure Medication Like Lisinopril
Over 144 million prescriptions for High Blood Pressure are written every year. Yet a simple uptake of magnesium and potassium can significantly lower blood pressure. Increase your intake of potassium by having a banana with your breakfast every day or a cup of tomato juice. You can also talk to your doctor about taking supplements instead.
- Hypothyroid Medication Like Synthroid
Hypothyroidism can also be caused by mineral deficiency such as iron, iodine and selenium. So, before joining the more than 70 million prescriptions written for the condition every year, ask your doctor if you would benefit from taking mineral supplements.
- Acid Reflux Medication Like Prilosec
A common problem, acid reflux is responsible for over 53 million prescriptions of Prilosec written every year. While it can be an effective solution, the drug works by inhibiting Hydrochloric acid and this acid is important even if it does cause acid reflux when produced in excess.
It is responsible for keeping bacteria in your stomach under control and without it, an overgrowth of bacteria would occur which can cause problems with mineral absorption in your body.
Instead of taking medication that can cause more harm, try herbal remedies like slippery-elm lozenges that are just as effective without hindering your bodily functions. Slippery-elm produces mucus that protects the gastrointestinal tract from the effects of excess hydrochloric acid.