You are probably well aware of the high cost of health care insurance these days. Even if your employer pays for all or most of your health care insurance, you have undoubtedly seen those deductions going up, the co-pays getting higher, while the overall quality of the health care has not improved significantly. A large portion of this is because of the number of drugs and chemicals that are prescribed for even the most minor of ailments, and the costs of those prescription drugs is stratospheric and getting higher all the time.
So what can you do about it? One of the things you should seriously consider in order to keep costs under control is Natural Remedies. These are remedies that have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years. Remember, people way back then had many of these same ailments that you are dealing with, and they needed some way to cope with them and alleviate the pain. The very interesting thing about this is that most of these natural health remedies can be found as OTC (Over The Counter) medications that do not require a doctor's prescription, and many have been found to be equally as effective (or even more effective) than their prescription high-priced counterparts.
You may need to visit a health food store to find some things, but you can be assured that the cost is going to be a very pleasant surprise, compared to what you pay for their prescription equivalents, and they do not contain nearly as many (or any at all) nasty side effects. For example, if you have a migraine, you may have read the warnings on the prescription medication, something about ?may cause vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhea, and/or cravings for artichokes?. So let's look at this ? by solving one problem, I am introducing five others? No thank you, I would rather stick with the migraine.
Natural remedies are there to resolve a myriad of different problems. And instead of nasty side effects, natural remedies can produce some POSITIVE side effects. For example, some natural remedies for headaches will also produce better blood flow and make the delivery of oxygen to the cells of the body more efficient. If you suffer from insomnia, you are probably taking some kind of medication just so that you can get some rest at night so that you are not totally toasted at work and can be functional. But you should know that the natural remedy Valerian is non-toxic as well as providing a much improved quality of sleep at night.
One of the bigger problems of today's adolescent is acne. While there are a ton of OTC and prescription cures, almost all of these are topical meaning that they affect only the surface of the skin. There are several natural remedies that work on the topical as well as the part of the problem, and many have found that these are incredibly effective as an acne cure.
Some natural remedies contain herbal ingredients which act to stimulate the brain, and have been found to be effective in fighting Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). For more information on ADD and ADHD, please visit <---****HYPERLINK****--->?http://www.all-about-add-adhd.com?>Working With Attention Deficit Disorder.
Do not dismiss natural remedies and herbal remedies simply because they have existed for a long time or because they do not use prescription drugs. In many cases, the natural remedy is just as effective as the prescription remedy, and even more so. And in almost all cases, the natural remedy is going to be much nicer to your wallet.
Natural supplements and remedies are often a safe, and affordable addition to your puppy care routine, and don't have the potential side-effects of some conventional medications. Obviously, there needs to be a balance between conventional veterinary care and the use of natural remedies, but when you are able to take the best of both worlds, and use them in a complementary way, you can be sure your puppy is reaping the benefits.
Using natural healthcare options can benefit your pup in many ways, these include :
Better Overall Health - many common dog ailments, such as digestive disorders and allergies, can be prevented or significantly reduced.
Longer Lifespan - due to better health and a stronger immune system
Improved Healing - your pup will heal faster after sickness or injury due to a stronger, healthier body.
Better Quality of Life - a natural approach to pet health care includes treating all the factors (environmental, behavioral, nutritional etc) that lead to ill health. By treating the causes and not just the symptoms, your pup will be happier as well as healthier.
Natural Dog Food
Your new puppy is growing at a phenomenal rate, and the nutrition he receives during this critical growth period has a huge impact on his future health and well-being. Good nutrition is the cornerstone of good health.
Natural dog foods (including holistic/organic options) can provide optimum nutrition for your growing puppy. The benefits include human-grade ingredients, and the absence of hormones, chemicals, additives and other undesirables.
Feeding a natural diet (and that could include a raw diet, or BARF), helps to strengthen your puppys' immune system, reduce the incidence of allergies, and research has shown that it can also help your pup live a longer life.
Some of the most popular names in natural dog food include Innova, Solid Gold and Canidae. Online stores often have a wide selection of natural and organic dog food that you can order from the comfort of your own home.
Natural Remedies for Dogs
Although professional veterinary care is absolutely essential to the health of your new puppy, there are often situations where a natural supplement or remedy can be very effective. This is especially true in the area of natural preventative care.
Many puppies have digestive issues, and constipation, flatulence and loose stools are common puppy problems. Feeding a natural puppy food is an important part of preventing these sorts of issues, and there's a good selection of food supplements you can use to prevent/treat specific problems.
Natural laxatives, pro-biotics, digestive tonics and other products can be very helpful for a puppy who has tummy troubles. By helping to restore a healthy balance to your pups' digestive system, the effects of things such as stress, pollution and toxins can be reduced/eliminated.
Another common puppy problem, and one that seems to be increasing, is allergies. Many dogs suffer from allergies of one sort or another, some are sensitive or allergic to ingredients in their food, others to environmental or seasonal triggers or parasites such as fleas. Whether exposure to toxins in the environment, chemicals in food, or immune systems weakened by over-vaccination or medication, the results are the same.
Medications such as anti-histamines can supress allergy symptoms, but natural remedies actually target the imbalances/weaknesses at the root of the problem. Holistic blends of natural vitamins, herbs, and other ingredients can help keep your pups' immune system functioning at optimum level. Soothing herbal salves and ointments can help relieve constant scratching, and food supplements can help keep your dogs' coat and skin healthy and supple.
Anxiety, fear and general nervousness are also fairly common puppy behavioral issues. From separation anxiety, to submissive urination and situational stressors such as thunderstorms or car travel, at some time or other your puppy may need something that will help reduce his anxiety levels.
Sedative medications have a place in the treatment of anxiety disorders, but many times a natural remedy is both gentle and effective in reducing fear, stress and anxiety - without the side effects of some medications.
There's a whole range of products to choose from in this category - Flower Remedy essences, pheremone-based sprays and diffusers, dietary supplements and more.
There's no reason for your little guy to be cowering in the corner during thunderstorms, or shaking like a leaf on your road trips, when gentle, calming relief is so easy to find.
All dog owners know that there are some pesky critters who can cause your pup to be miserable - they're called fleas! Fleas aren't just annoying, they can cause disease, allergies and a whole lot of trouble. There are some very effective flea preventatives, but they do contain harsh chemicals, and often can't be used on young puppies. Natural, herbal and holistic remedies can provide a gentle alternative, and when used correctly can be very effective. There are products that you can dust/spray on your pet, and others that can be ingested. You can also find homeopathic or herbal products to prevent/treat roundworms, tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.
Both puppies and older dogs can experience muscle or joint problems, especially the large/giant breeds. A natural diet, and the use of a natural supplement which promotes joint/muscle health can improve strength and flexibility and prevent a lot of problems.
All new owners want the very best for their puppies, and prevention is definitely better than cure. By using a combination of natural remedies and health care options, in addition to the routine veterinary care that your puppy needs, you will be giving him the very best chance of a long, happy and health life. Isn't that good to know?
Both Jon A & Susan Koranki are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jon A has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Sports Car and Acid Reflux. Jon is a computer engineer who maintains web sites on a variety of topics based on his knowledge and experience. You can read more about Natural Health Remedies at his web site. Jon A's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Susan Koranki has sinced written about articles on various topics from Allergies, Puppies Dogs and Dog Breeds. Learn more about the benefits of natural healthcare for dogs, plus find tons of free tips, advice and information on all aspects of puppy care at