The History of Supplements
The history of supplements is really the history of mankind. Since the dawn of time, men have explored the world around them, discovering many naturally-occurring remedies along the way. Through trial and error, and then through family and tribal lore, the healing properties of herbs, fruits, berries, minerals, and other natural substances have been discovered.
In fact, it wasn’t until relatively recently in the history of the human race that Mother Nature’s remedies were viewed in anything other than a positive light. With the advent of modern Western medicine, taking natural remedies came to be looked upon as old-fashioned at best and dangerously foolhardy at worst.
It is true that modern medicine represents a vast step forward in the potential for overall health. Curing strep throat before it evolves into scarlet fever, for example, is a modern miracle. The ability to save both mother and child with a medically-necessary c-section is something I think (almost) everyone welcomes.
It doesn’t necessarily follow, however, that acceptance of modern medicine necessitates a rejection of natural remedies. In fact, a combination of healthy, natural living on a daily basis and modern medical intervention when needed seems like it would be a balance between the best of both worlds.
The History Of Supplements In A Nutshell
There is evidence to support the theory that the earliest humans knew about and used medicinal herbs. The exact extent of this usage is not known since prehistoric people didn’t keep records for us to view today. However, most anthropologists agree that herbal remedies were a part of the life of our caveman ancestors.
The ancient Egyptians were well known for their use of herbal remedies, often in combination with spiritual healing. Medicinal herbs have even been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, demonstrating their importance in ancient Egyptian culture.
The Greeks and Romans used herbal remedies as well. In fact, Hippocrates, who many regards as the father of modern medicine, made frequent use of Mother Nature’s remedies. He lived on the island of Kos, where he used 250 of the island’s plants in his medicines.
If herbal remedies (supplements) have such a long history, it begs the question: “Why are supplements regarded with skepticism today?”” There are many contributing factors (too many to discuss here), but as with so many things, the answer can be found if you follow the money. If supplements are effective and widely used, rates of disease will drop. Healthy people do not pay large amounts of money to the health industry. Enough said.
Keep Your Own Counsel
Unfortunately, it is true that there are ineffective supplements on the market. Your hard-earned money goes to buy the latest supplement, but you don’t notice any difference after taking it. Sound familiar?
So how do you avoid this?
Trust yourself and your judgment. If a supplement claims it can cure cancer or substantially extend your life, trust that voice inside you that says, “Yeah right.”” On the other hand, keep in mind that nature’s cures have been proven effective for thousands of years. Natural substances such as adaptogens have a track record of living up to the hype. Ask around. See what herbal remedies your friends swear by. A personal recommendation is your best bet.
Do your research and only order supplements from companies you can trust. Read the reviews. Too many negative reviews or one-star ratings should be your clue to run in the other direction. On the other hand, if you find a company with many positive ratings, such as BOOSTme, you’ll know you’ve hit the jackpot.
But the best way to test a supplement? Try it for yourself. Either it earns your good opinion by providing noticeable results, or it doesn’t. Finding a truly effective supplement is worth the search.
