One of the reasons some people get into complementary alternative medicines is because they are unemployed and/or could not afford health insurance. Granted, trying to find an alternative means of staying healthy is no substitute for actually going to a doctor, but when you are young and think you will live forever you tend to take some chances that you normally wouldn’t after a few years of gaining wisdom.

There are many people who swear by complementary alternative medicines, and there are even some doctors who incorporate herbs with modern medicine. If you go into any health food store, no doubt you will find at least one aisle stocked with all kinds of herbs in boxes, bottles and loose in bins or bags. Your first encounter is most likely because you have a cold or flu. Maybe someone in the office suggested you take some Echinacea. On the other hand, maybe you have been having difficulty sleeping, and you remember reading somewhere that chamomile tea was good for getting rid of insomnia? The very first thing you need to do before taking any herbal remedy is to do your homework. By themselves and in certain doses, some herbs are beneficial. There are, however, herbs that should not be mixed together and herbs that should not be taken in more than the recommended amounts.

One such herb is Ephedra, or Ma Huang. While this herb can be useful, far too many people abused it. More is not always better, especially with an herb like this. A few years ago, Ephedra was touted as the miracle herb, and quickly gained popularity in the gyms and with athletes. Ephedra boasted quick weight loss by increasing the metabolism and could help with respiratory problems. What people did not know was that Ephedra increases the body’s core temperature and is a very powerful stimulant, and in some cases, people have died from taking too much of this potent herb.

If you are looking for a quick fix or instant gratification, complementary alternative medicines are not for you. Using herbs takes time and patience. The herbs often need up to three weeks to start working to heal the body. With all the instant cures on the market it is easy to get frustrated and give up when you do not see immediate results. Stick with your regimen and let the herbs do their work, even if you don’t feel anything is happening right away.

Chamomile, Kava-Kava and Valerian are also herbs that work quickly. All of these herbs are used to battle sleeplessness. The drug Valium is a derivative of Valerian. Valerian is not known to be addictive. As with all complementary alternative medicines, it is still best to err on the side of caution and use it with care.