SAFE Alternatives to 4 Popular Drugs (All-Natural!)

When it comes to prescription drugs, there are almost always side effects. 

But the good news is that there are also almost always alternatives. 

Whether you’re dealing with high blood pressure, heartburn, difficulty sleeping, or pain, nature provides solutions that can help make sure you don’t have to rely on Big Pharma’s half-baked solutions. 

Here are a few to get you started. 

ACE Inhibitors 

These are popular drugs that lower blood pressure. 

But they can also cause hyperkalemia, which is a factor in kidney and liver disease, and angioedema, which is rapid swelling in the deep layers of your skin that can be a medical emergency. 

For a natural alternative, try hibiscus! 

In one study, hibiscus extract lowered ACE levels in hypertensive patients by 32 percent, compared to 30 percent the drug group. 

In another study using hibiscus tea, the hibiscus group saw a significantly higher reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the control group. 

Sleeping Pills 

Sleeping pills like Ambien continue to top the list of most-prescribed drugs in the US. 

And if people don’t start minding their circadian rhythm and reducing their exposure to blue light at night, those numbers are only going to increase as the years go on…  

If you’re having trouble falling or staying asleep, my number one solution is to make lifestyle changes like fixing your circadian rhythm and your sleep environment. 

But beyond that, you can try natural alternatives as well. 

One is tart cherry juice.  

This one is typically associated with its benefits for gout (I can personally attest to this one!), but it’s great for your sleep, too. 

In one study, patients who consumed 2 cups of tart cherry juice fell asleep nearly an hour and a half faster than the placebo group! 

Steroidal Anti-inflammatories 

These popular drugs are used for pain-relief because of their proven anti-inflammatory properties. 

But they can also cause extreme mood changes, side effects like bloating and acne, and have been associated with increased cancer risk when taken long-term. 

For an alternative, try curcumin. 

This is the main compound in turmeric that’s been used for centuries for its health benefits. More recently, studies have shown that it significantly reduces key biomarkers of inflammation. 

It can also be used as a combination therapy with certain cancers. 

Proton Pump Inhibitors  

People take these drugs for problems associated with heartburn, but everything about them is bad news. They don’t treat the underlying problem and they suppress your body’s stomach acid, which is vital for so many body functions. 

So, it’s no wonder that people end up on these drugs for years, and ultimately find themselves with vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, heart disease, and even cancer as a result. 

The next time you’re experiencing heartburn, instead of reaching for a PPI, reach for aloe vera instead. 

Yes, the same product that can help soothe skin irritation is great for heartburn, too. 

One study showed that ingesting 10mL of aloe vera syrup reduced the severity of 8 main symptoms of GERD, including heartburn, nausea, and regurgitation.