There is still some lack of confidence and belief in natural healing remedies among traditional doctors and health professionals. Unfortunately, they tend to group all non-medical therapies under the one umbrella of folk lore and dismiss them as ineffective and unsafe. However, scientific research has now proven that there are many plants and herbs that do actually have healing and preventative properties, and are safe for human consumption when used correctly.

As long as the necessary care is taken in the growing, gathering and preparation of natural healing remedies, they are proving to be not only safe, but highly effective in preventing and treating a variety of conditions and health problems. Plants contain phytonutrients, polyphenols and anti-oxidants, unobtainable from any other source, that are a basic requirement for human health and the correct functioning of the human body. These elements also provide antibacterial, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits and help to support our immune systems.

We are now seeing low levels of vital nutrients in the bloodstreams of wide groups of people, and this has implications for the general health and risk of serious disease of the population in general. For example, low levels of calcium in the blood have been linked with heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer; low vitamin D is associated with heart disease and cancer; insufficient zinc, vitamins A and C are implicated in a variety of health problems; low selenium has been linked with macular degeneration, heart disease and cancer. Long term nutrient deficiency is likely to be an important factor in many chronic and life threatening diseases.

Unfortunately, many of the foods that are regularly consumed in industrial countries actually contribute to many health problems. Our food comes to us over-processed with many of the vital nutrients destroyed; crops are grown in soils that have been subjected to artificial fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides for years and are now deficient in nutrients as well; fast and fatty foods, with high levels of saturated fats, sugar and salt, have become accepted as the norm, rather than the exception. To counter-act this situation, millions of people pop vitamin pills without knowing which elements they really need.

Many of the deficiencies can be corrected by changing to a balanced, nutritionally-sound diet, but in some cases, extra attention needs to be paid to specific problems. We need to look at our general health, fitness and feeling of well-being so that we can determine what natural healing remedies need to be added to our lives. Then we can add them to our diet or take them in concentrated form, as supplements. As well as offering protection from disease and serious illness, natural healing remedies can also give us more energy, improved clarity of mind and a better quality of life.

As part of a well-balanced diet you will be having good amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, skim dairy, whole grains and legumes each day. Many nutritional foods can actually be natural healing remedies ” green tea, garlic, onion, apples, kale and manuka honey, to name only a few. The benefits of these foods are numerous and worthy of further investigation to understand how they can help you and your health.

Manuka honey is a classic example of a food that has more than one health benefit, making it a valuable natural healing remedy. Considerable scientific research has been done on this type of honey, produced by bees from the New Zealand manuka bush. It has been found to contain powerful properties that are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic in nature. What a collection of excellent properties to impact positively on our health! Manuka honey is extremely effective in treating all sorts of health problems, from staph infections, cold sores and stomach ulcers to eczema, tinea and wounds.

I have mentioned only a few of the many foods that are efficient natural healing remedies. By changing our diets, limiting highly processed foods and returning to eating more fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, we will be getting the protective elements contained in plant foods.