A plant fix over a prescription drug? Some experts swear by it.
When I went for my annual medical check-up a couple of years ago, I told my doctor I suffered frequent constipation, despite a healthy diet. “Is there something I can take?” Rather than recommend a bottle of pills, she suggested I try something herbal, and have it daily: isabgul (also known as psyllium). It’s a powder made from the husks of the psyllium (Plantago ovata) plant that you can buy at local pharmacies or health food stores, without a prescription. You stir it into a glass of water and drink it. I followed my doctor’s advice to take a teaspoon twice daily and found that psyllium works for me.
At one time, plants were the only drugs we had. Then, along came antibiotics and other manufactured drugs, which have saved countless lives and continue to do so. However, today they’re not the only option; witness the thriving market in herbal remedies. A 2018 Reuters article cites a report by Market Research Future, which estimates that the global herbal market will reach US$111 billion by the end of 2023.
But beware: not all natural products are safe, says Dr Sarah Jarvis, a BBC medical columnist and general practitioner in London who sometimes recommends natural remedies. “Many plants are the basis for powerful manufactured medicines.”
Natural medicines can interact with other medications, and how much you should take varies depending on the individual. According to Dr Isaac Mathai, an internationally renowned holistic health expert from Bengaluru, “It is important to check with a doctor on what kind of supplements are required. Only licensed medical practitioners can identify potential underlying problems in your body. This information is critical in determining the right supplement and dosage, so avoid self-diagnosing.”
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