Flower Delivery Los Altos

Sorry - saying that senior citizens are turning into toxic waste dumps sounds a bit harsh. But darn it, I believe it! Many of the seniors I know are taking so many pills every day, and looking worse all the time, that I fear for their lives.

Recently I thought I had the reason. I was talking with a neighbor about an herbal spray I'd found that really seems to cure cuts and other skin problems in a hurry. He said he wasn't into herbs - he'd had enough of that when he was a kid.

Instead, he uses whatever drugs his doctor prescribes. Thankfully, he isn't taking too many, so he still has energy and looks to be in good health. But many of my other friends do not. Some of them are taking up to a dozen different prescriptions, and their health is failing fast.

It occurred to me then that many of our older citizens have seen fantastic advances in medicine during their lifetimes - and have grown to trust and believe in doctors and the pills they prescribe. Somehow that trust has kept them from noticing that a good number of today's medications can be deadly.

So I thought the reason they took so many pills and shunned natural medicine was trust in doctors, trust in pharmaceuticals, and an aversion to natural remedies that many seniors were given as children.

Then I realized that there is a second, more serious reason why Americans are turning to pharmaceuticals when they might be healthier with natural supplements, herbs, Bach Flower Essences, and even better nutrition.

It's the money.

Not the money doctors make from prescribing all that mediation. The money that seniors on fixed incomes just plain don't have.

Medicaid and other insurance programs will pay big bucks for prescription drugs, but they won't pay a dime for a bottle of CoQ10, or a quart of mangosteen juice.

I talked with a woman who told me she pays from $1 to $3 each for her prescriptions - some of which would cost her as much as $300 if she didn't have insurance. She added that the over-the-counter drugs she takes cost about $30 per month, and she can barely afford to use them. She tried Goji juice, and it мейд her feel better when she took 2 or 3 ounces a day. She wants to use it, but she simply can't afford it.

I understand why pharmaceutical companies want people to take drugs rather than rely on nutrition and nutritional supplements - drugs are what they sell.

But why are insurance companies and Medicaid unwilling to provide a cheaper, safer alternative? They'd save money, and perhaps even help people regain their health.

M. G. Cliff is a freelance copywriter with a strong interest in natural health. She enjoys writing for a variety of companies who promote health and well-being through safe, natural products and practices.

Marte's natural health site, , presents natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, health warnings, news about health-giving foods, and more.

Readers are invited to visit the blog at add their comments, experiences, and natural health advice on the blog posts.