Self Medicating : Taking The Natural Route

Natural and alternative treatments for common diseases have become so popular these

days that they have joined the ranks of over-the-counter medication in many health stores and pharmacies. What many people do not know is that roughly half of today"s over-the-counter medicines are derived from plants.

On the forefront of this is A. Vogel, described by many as the "pioneer of natural health".

Alfred Vogel, born in Basel, Switzerland in 1902, was first introduced to medicinal plants and herbs through his grandparents and his father. Upon opening his first herb and health store at the age of 21, Vogel made the discovery that using fresh herbs proved to be much more efficient than using those that were dried. Owning his own herb and health shop gave him the opportunity to start mixing his own remedies to sell to customers.

Vogel, a keen traveller, spent many years travelling extensively through Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and the Americas. He was fascinated by primitive cultures that depended on natural products for healing. Unlike the more progressive countries, most of the places that he visited were very isolated from Western society and relied heavily on what was available to them through natural means. A. Vogel recognized the wisdom and expertise which many of these cultures displayed, and he embraced their natural remedies.

During one of his journeys through the Unites States he met a Native American medicine man. Upon his departure, the medicine man gave him a handful of purple seeds known as Echinacea Purpurea. After returning from his travels, Vogel started cultivating and researching the plant given to him, and eventually created what is now known as his flagship product, Echinaforce.

Echinaforce is a traditional herbal remedy made from the leaves and roots of the Echinacea Purpurea plant which is ingested in the form of drops and is used for colds and flu like symptoms. It alleviates your symptoms and boosts your body's own defences.

Another great A. Vogel product is Agnus Castus, also known as the Chaste Tree, and sometimes referred to as Monk's Pepper, Chasteberry, or Abraham's Balm. It is believed that the name Chaste Tree comes from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, as it was used as an anti-aphrodisiac.

Nowadays, Agnus Castus is a proven herbal remedy for PMS and for the treatment of teenage acne. It helps to restore hormonal balance and makes menstrual cycles more regular. Although it is not fully understood how the mechanism of action works, it is assumed that Agnus Castus affects the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, causing an increase in the production of the LH hormone while reducing the release of the FSH hormone. This then causes the progesterone levels in the body to be higher than the oestrogen levels.

In this day in age, there are so many alternatives to over - the - counter medicine that should not be ruled out. Make sure you are informed of all the different options available to you.

by: Rosanne Kruger

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