Popular Natural Prescription Alternatives

by admin | Mar 2, 2020 | Blog

Prescription and OTC drugs have become the go-to solution to everything from a headache to a bad case of heartburn, but this hasn’t always been the case. The wisdom of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers says that the answer to many common ailments can be found in the kitchen. Read on to discover prescription alternatives for five of the most purchased pills in the USA.

1. Painkillers

Hydrocodone (combined with acetaminophen) was the most prescribed drug in 2010, according to a report by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. This opioid (narcotic) is used to relieve moderate to strong pain and also to relieve coughing ‘ referred to in medicine as an antitussive. Its potential side effects are many and varied and include addiction, altered breathing, loss of consciousness, and even death.

Natural alternatives to prescription analgesic drugs are becoming more popular in the face of the opioid epidemic in the United States and some, according to proponents, are potentially saving thousands of lives. If you are interested in finding prescription alternatives to painkillers, be sure to look into the following options:

• CBD oil
• Turmeric
• Kratom
• Acupuncture

2. Blood Pressure-Lowering Prescription Alternatives

Lisinopril ‘ an anti-hypertensive drug ‘ was the third most prescribed drug in 2010 (after hydrocodone and cholesterol-lowering statins). This drug is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that prevents the blood vessels from constricting, thereby making it easier for blood to circulate without the heart having to pump so hard.

Fortunately, there are MANY ways to boost your heart health and prevent or reverse high blood pressure naturally ‘ without putting yourself at risk of unpleasant side effects such as excessive tiredness and fainting. Furthermore, women who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant cannot take lisinopril and must lower their blood pressure naturally by using prescription alternatives. Here are some ways to lower high blood pressure without the use of prescription drugs:

• Eating a diet rich in whole fruits and vegetables
• Reducing or eliminating sugar and artificial sweeteners
• Eating a small amount of cocoa and dark chocolate
• Engaging in regular aerobic, resistance, and high intensity physical training
• Taking some natural supplements, including:
  • Grape seed extract
  • Garlic supplements (also helpful for high cholesterol and the immune system!)

3. Antacid Prescription Alternatives

One of the highest grossing prescription drugs in 2010 was Nexium (esomeprazole)’ a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that decreases stomach acid and is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). According to the official list of side effects, Nexium is described as causing kidney problems, can worsen the symptoms of lupus, and makes the user’s bones more susceptible to breakage.

Prescription alternatives to Nexium focus on eliminating foods and drinks from the diet that contribute to acidity, raising the minimal esophageal resting pressure, and binding the nitric oxide in foods with fiber to carry it out through the intestinal system. The following natural alternatives to prescription drugs for GERD and acid reflux are supported by research:

• Removing cow’s milk from the diet (in infants)
• Removing gluten from the diet (in celiac patients)
• Eating miso soup
• Drinking water
• Adding psyllium seeds to your diet
• Taking natural supplements, including:
  • Ginger
  • Astaxanthin
  • Melatonin
  • Liquid pectin (for infants)
  • Lactobacillus reuteri (for infants)
  • A dietary supplement containing vitamin B6, melatonin, vitamin B12, folic acid, l-tryptophan, methionine, and betaine
• Acupuncture
• Avoiding statins

Discover Science-Based Solutions at Koko Kratom

As a company dedicated to selling and promoting pure, holistic botanicals, the team at Koko Kratom is constantly researching the latest breakthroughs in natural alternatives to prescription drugs and sharing ideas for how to boost your health naturally in our blog.

For your safety and peace of mind, our pure, lab-tested kratom is certified free from contaminants and unnatural alkaloid levels and is available in a wide variety of popular and coveted kratom strains. If you are considering trying prescription alternatives to help you meet your health goals, please consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before combining drugs and herbs or before taking any herb or supplement if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.