HealthLinks Charleston Sept/Oct 2022

24 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com What does the term “going natural” describe in a post-pandemic world? For some, it seems to refer to escaping today’s materialism and conventionality for a simplified, back-to-theEarth experience. Homesteading, building “tiny” homes, living “off-grid,” traveling the country in RVs, choosing flexible online jobs and fleeing traditional lifestyles and institutions could be the extreme version of going natural. Simple and manageable may have seemed very attractive, especially at a time when business employees were sent home, schools closed and the world was struggling to stay upright. For others, the threat of this new killer disease, the uncertainty of how to best treat it and suspicion about medical misinformation led them on a journey to explore more-natural health cures. The potential of little-known herbs and long-abandoned home remedies suddenly became paramount, particularly, among those in the 31 to 64 age group, who already were health conscious. They invested in researching non-traditional health care options, practices and products, as well as natural supplements and self-help techniques to build immunity against COVID. IS 'GOING NATURAL' A NEW AND LASTING TREND? By Janet E. Perrigo

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