For health or wealth, herbal therapies catching up with West

Reacting to the news that Americans spend $34 billion dollars a year on alternative medicines, Jonathan Evans of the Herbarium said he was not surprised. In an interview to 22News, he  aptly attributed the reason for the phenomenal rise in popularity of parallel medicine to its cost effectiveness.

Explaining the phenomenon, Evans said:

"It's just a lot cheaper to try and stay healthy than it is to try and fix yourself once you're sick." 

This investment defies conventional wisdom as these alternative therapies are not paid for under ant health insurance policy in the US. From herbal supplements to yoga, the US citizens keep all options open to stay healthy.

According to estimation, in a decade’s time, the sales of alternative therapies have registered an increase by over 25 percent. 

Christine Newcomb differs with Evans. She feels people are going for alternative medicines for quick fix solution to their health problems. 

She regrets:

“Instead of looking at your lifestyle and maybe changing your diet and exercise, they look for a pill or something to make them feel better." 

Another respondent, Jessica Plotniak, says people are doing so simply because they think it is fashionable. People are just following in the footsteps of celebrities who have set a trend of alternative medicines. 

Opinions may vary over what could be the reason behind the fixation for herbals, but the facts remain that alternative therapies have caught up with the West.