In a perfect world, food would be the only medicine that we need. But our world is far from perfect. Our foods no longer have the same nutrition densities they once did, and our digestive systems often don’t have the digestive fire they once did. Luckily, with modern science and technologies, we can counterbalance these deficiencies in many ways. Nutrient therapies aren’t about taking supplements to “make you healthier” it is about giving your body the things that it needs to perform the activities you are asking it to.
Nutrient therapies may not be necessary for everybody, or they may only be needed for specific durations, it all depends on the individual. They are to support your foundations towards your health goals when you want them. When you do choose to utilize them or when your doctor recommends them, they can help to optimize your body’s processes, increasing your energy, facilitating detox and healing, or providing resources for your body to rebuild and reconfigure.
How do Herbs and Supplements Work?
If food is the original ancient medicine, and pharmaceuticals are the marvel of modern medicine, then herbs and supplements are somewhere in between. Herbalism is an ancient practice of deciphering which substances in our natural world can be helpful in aiding our own bodies to heal. They used observations of symptoms, flavors, energetics, observing animals in nature, and of course, trial and error to figure out which natural substances did what, and then they passed it down to their communities. Eventually, some knowledge was recorded and cataloged into language and we have the formal practice and teaching of “herbalism”.
Supplements started with components of herbalism. Chinese medicine documented the use of calcium carbonate found in shells and fossils or animal gelatin. But the explosion in the supplements we know today came along with the scientific and industrial revolutions as we increased our ability to isolate and synthesize specific compounds. There is cross-functioning between herbs and supplements. Both provide resources to the human body when food alone cannot suffice, usually during times of illness, injury, or the aging process. But nowadays, we can argue that stress and general food quality in our environment has broadened the uses and need for nutritive support.
Herbs and Supplements basically provide resources and support physiological functioning. Trained herbalists such as acupuncturists, Naturopathic Physicians, and other trained and Certified Herbalists use their knowledge to provide the best advice for how to use these tools for your specific condition.