Herbal medicine is regaining popularity worldwide
Throughout human history, the way we care for ourselves has continually evolved and shifted. In ancient times, herbal remedies weren’t an option for the treatment of different ailments and illnesses, they were the option. And while many more wellness and medicine options are available in the modern era, herbal medicine has by no means fallen by the wayside. In fact, in many areas, it’s more popular than ever! For example, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices have been used for millennia; even after the advent of modern medicine, approximately half of the population of China still prefers to use traditional remedies. There are around 5000 traditional remedies commonly available in China, accounting for around twenty percent of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry. In the same vein, Ayurvedic medicine – the traditional healing practice of India – is experiencing a similar resurgence of popularity as people begin to seek more natural methods of healing once more.
The average American consumer’s use of herbal remedies has experienced massive growth since the 1990s, and the market only continues to expand. Due to myriad influences, including things like the pricing of pharmaceuticals, lack of access to affordable healthcare, and a desire to refrain from over-consuming lab-produced chemical compounds, more and more Americans are choosing to turn to herbal medicine. It is not uncommon these days for people to use traditional, naturopathic remedies alongside modern medicine – or even completely in place of it, in certain circumstances. And at its core, much of modern medicine is based on traditional herbal wellness practices; while medicine has undoubtedly evolved over time, the foundational building blocks of our modern understanding are rooted in ancient wisdom. A great example of this is an ingredient like salicylic acid. Used commonly in both over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments, this compound is derived from Willow Bark – a natural skincare remedy!
Cannabis is among thousands of known and commonly-used herbal remedies in Chinese and Indian culture for millennia, and it is now receiving global attention for its seemingly innumerable potential benefits*. One of the things we feel is most important to spread awareness of is that cannabis, like many other things traditionally used in these natural remedies, is ultimately just an herb like any other! Powerful, effective, and coming to be celebrated by many, cannabis also continues to carry with it a stigma and a history of negative, propagandistic associations that we now work to overcome. Yet, at its heart, this plant is no different from any others used in the formulation of traditional remedies. One of the ultimate goals of Fairwinds is to see cannabis use completely normalized – we truly believe that this plant should be able to be treated, consumed, and regulated like any other medicine or supplement.
Our hope is that through providing transparency and education, we help do our part to shift the general understanding of what cannabis is, its history, and what it can offer.
