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Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

Marijuana sales booming in Illinois and nuEra is feeling the impact – WAND

Posted: January 14, 2022 at 8:47 pm

CHAMPAIGN, ILL (WAND) : Illinois racked up $1.38 billion in Cannabis revenue and Champaign Dispensary nuEra is feeling that high.

According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the $1.38 billion is more than double the total from 2020. Alex Carretto, the the nuEra Campustown General Manager, tells WAND their growth is rapid and it's only up from there. "We've been growing each month, so each month is getting better for us, with the new year we're looking for Spring semester coming, with the students and everything coming back." He says it's not only students but the rest of the community is contributing to their widespread success.

Recreational sales hit a record high in December 2021. Sales hit $138 millions just that month. Carretto says those record high numbers come mainly out of more curiosity regarding the benefits of Cannabis. "The pandemic has a lot to do with it. People are looking for alternative medicine and you know they've kind of leaned on cannabis for that," and many are leaning on nuEra as well.

nuEra dispensaries are exploding across the state, Carretto says nuEra is doing fantastic numbers as a company, "revenue has grown by 44%" in 2021. He mentions as more adult-use dispensaries open up across the area, "it's going to be more accessible, numbers will keep growing."

Cannabis was legalized in Illinois on January 1st, 2021. With it's proven success in the state, nuEra says it's an ever growing industry. "We just want to expand, cover as much of the state as possible and provide the best services we can." Carretto says," It's really exciting to be in an industry that's fresh brand new and just being able to see it grow and just see it rise, rise and rise."

State law requires 25% of Marijuana tax dollars to go to programs aimed at helping people with legal aid, youth development and prison re-entry.

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Marijuana sales booming in Illinois and nuEra is feeling the impact - WAND

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Blues-busters: Beat the winter blahs with these hot takes on alternative therapies – Times-News

Posted: at 8:47 pm

T WIN FALLS The holidays are behind us, the new year has begun, and now the Magic Valley is in its darkest, coldest season. It is easy to want to hunker down and hibernate this time of year, and for some, that can add up to a case of the winter blues.

Seasonal depression can take a toll on productivity at work, hamper personal relationships, and add stressors to already hectic lives. If you find yourself waking up on dark winter mornings feeling nervous or stressed out before the day has even begun, consider taking a cold shower.

Jaime Goffin is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice in Twin Falls. As a therapist, she is always reading research about physical mechanisms that regulate emotion, one area of research that examines the role of the nervous system on seasonal depression. Goffin said that research shows that a cold shower in the morning can be as effective for mild depression or seasonal blues as taking an antidepressant.

What that cold shower does is it regulates the vagus nerve, Goffin said. If you think about people waking up and already feeling unmotivated, or even, when people wake up theyre already experiencing anxiety.

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The vagus nerve is one of the bodys central nerves, running from the base of the brain all the way down to the pelvis. The vagus nerve is associated with the heart, lungs and digestive tract, and some research shows that stimulating the vagus nerve is one way to achieve a sense of safety and well-being.

Another key way to keep the vagus nerve in a prime stimulated state is exercise, Goffin said.

When our body moves it sends a message that we are OK, Goffin said. (One thing) Im a huge believer in for getting through the winter is daily movement. And if you can get some of that outside when theres a little bit of sunlight, even better.

Like many therapists in the Magic Valley, Goffin sees an increase in clients seeking therapy during the winter months. While there is no substitute for therapy when facing mental health issues like depression, trauma or crisis, small changes to daily routines can help relieve some symptoms of mild seasonal depressions like the winter blues.

Goffin said part of coping with the mid-winter blues is becoming intentional about including some small lifestyle changes that can contribute to positive mood changes. Those small changes can be easy to do, and stack up to create a positive response to blue moods brought about by cold dreary days.

Starting the day with a bit of time outside around sunrise can help jump-start our bodies, Goffin said.

Most people arent getting any light exposure at sunrise and also in the evening, Goffin said. Most people are waking up in the dark, so were naturally not getting some of that vitamin D sunlight.

By getting outside around sunrise, the blue light stimulates the brain in ways that is hard to reproduce with artificial interior lighting of the home or workplace.

Another thing to watch for is whether or not youre getting enough sleep.

Sleep is probably our best medicine, Goffin said. If you look at mental health issues, people not having good sleep is probably the most common denominator.

Goffin cautions that major depression and other serious mental health issues would benefit from more involved therapy.

Robin Bailly echoes the advice that staying active through the dark cold months can make a huge difference in seasonal depression.

When people are more active, regardless of when its winter and the sun isnt out, or when its nice out, if people get outside, it completely changes their mental health, Bailly said. Even if its cold outside, standing outside for three to 10 minutes is going to change your mood, regardless of whether the suns out or not.

Bailly started as a counselor in 2012. In 2019, she started adding more energy work into her practice, using essential oils and guided meditation. Bailly has also begun using a Japanese energy therapy called reiki to complement other therapeutic techniques at her private practice Of The Earth, which she conducts at Float Magic.

The theory behind reiki is that energy in the body can become stuck. Reiki is a way to help move that energy out of the body.

The biggest thing people experience is complete relaxation, Bailly said. And when were relaxed, theres less stress. When theres less stress theres less pain, when we have less pain our body is able to heal better, when were not experiencing emotional pain were not depressed, were not anxious, were not feeling helpless or hopeless, and thats why reiki helps with that. Because its moving that energy in the body.

Reiki is starting to be seen in hospital settings more and more. The Washington Post reports more than 60 U.S. hospitals have adopted Reiki as part of patient services, according to a UCLA study, and Reiki education is offered at 800 hospitals. According to Bailly, reiki in hospitals is used more because it helps with pain. They are also using it in palliative care, cancer care and after surgeries because it has been shown to help the healing process.

Im not saying reiki is going to cure your depression, Bailly said. Its complimentary, meaning, its going to help that energy move, so that then you can deal with the emotions that arise that create the depression.

Meditation is another way people seek to balance thoughts and emotions to supplement a balanced lifestyle. Most people have heard of meditation, but for some who have the impression that it requires a totally quiet mind, the idea can be daunting.

In a recent Facebook post, the South Central Public Health District highlighted visual meditation as an accessible way for people to approach the practice. The post linked to a free course from the Carnegie Museum of Art, using artworks as s basis for visual meditation.

Health district spokesperson Brianna Bodily said that little easy steps toward something like meditation can make the practice seem less daunting.

Often when youre facing a mental health struggle, sometimes just getting started on some of those coping mechanisms can be the hardest part, Bodily said. When you think about some of the things that can be extremely helpful like meditation, exercise, eating healthy it can feel extremely overwhelming. So understanding there are simple tiny steps you can take that can help you get to that point where its more of a habit, something that isnt quite as overwhelming or scary, that can help you take those initial steps to take to get to a better mental space.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health crisis, the Idaho suicide prevention hotline can be reached by phone at 800-273-8255 or text 208-398-4357.

Twin Falls has a 24-hour crisis center for individuals who might harm themselves. There are trained professionals who can help keep individuals in mental health crisis safe for 24 hours while helping to connect them to further treatment.

High school students Madilynn Abramowski, front, and Halle Silvester attempt to slide down a grade into Rock Creek Canyon with a little help from Brystal Brady on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 4, 2022, in Twin Falls.

Sarah Burrill sleds down a hill Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 4, 2022, in Twin Falls.

Sisters Kayla Burrill, 20, Emma Burrill, 8, build a snowman Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 4, 2022, in Twin Falls.

High school students Madilynn Abramowski, front, and Halle Silvester attempt to slide down a grade into Rock Creek Canyon with a little help from Brystal Brady on Tuesday afternoon in Twin Falls. See more snow photos and get the latest forecast at Magicvalley.com.

A man rides his bike down a very slick and snowy 3rd Avenue West on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 4, 2022, in downtown Twin Falls.

Andrew Burrill, 15, snowboards down a hill Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 4, 2022, outside of I.B. Perrine Elementary School in Twin Falls.

Tristan Cota, 13, lies inside his snow fort as Cameron Cota, 16, builds up the ceiling of the structure Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, in their front yard in Twin Falls Idaho. The fort was twice as large before the roof caved in. 'This is why the rebel base on Hoth was a bad idea,' Cameron says as she references the Star Wars movies.

Presly Stanger, 4, takes a bite of snow while her mother, Katie, uses a ski harness to help her learn how to ski as they descend the Wizard Run at Magic Mountain Resort in the South Hills on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.

Lillian England, 13, sleds down an embankment Thursday afternoon, Dec. 25, 2014, on the College of Southern Idaho campus in Twin Falls.

Keli Park and Evan Park ride snow bikes at Magic Mountain Ski Resort south of Hansen in 2009.

Robert England sleds down an embankment with his son Nathan, 5, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 25, 2014, on the CSI campus in Twin Falls.

DREW NASH TIMES-NEWS Tate Stanger, 5, rides an inner tube down a hill Saturday Dec. 22, 2012 at Magic Mountain Resort near Hansen.

A moose runs down the road as it tries to find a way to get over the snowbanks Saturday near Fairfield.

Special Olympics athletes Dustin Houston, left, and Kolton Dalton spring on snowshoes in the 200m snowshoe event during the Winter Special Olympics Saturday, Feb. 27 at Magic Mountain Ski Resort.

DREW NASH TIMES-NEWS Derek Davis and his son Brody Davis, 4, head straight for photojournalist Drew Nash as they slide down a hill on an inner tube Saturday Dec. 22, 2012 at Magic Mountain Resort near Hansen.

Betsy Mizell finds the snowshoeing pretty easy as long as shes heading uphill. It got a little more difficult when sidestepping across a hill.

Evan Park rides a snow bike down the slopes of Magic Mountain Ski Resort Saturday morning south of Kimberly.

Sledding in Burley.

A snow groomer passes a row of snowmaking guns on the slopes of Bald Mountain on Wednesday at the Sun Valley Ski Resort. All of Sun Valleys 522 snowmaking guns have been replaced by state-of-the-art guns, which are a third more efficient than the old ones.

Members of the ski patrol ride the lift up to the top of the mountain Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, during opening day at Magic Mountain Resort in Kimberly.

Cross-country skiers on Dec. 30 use the gentle descent of the snow-filled 500 Road, where High Desert Nordic Association volunteers keep a ski trail groomed.

Jeff Anderson, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, prepares to test snow Wednesday at the Magic Mountain SNOTEL station. The snows depth is 56 inches on the ground at the station.

Trevor Larimer, of Twin Falls, gets some air off a jump Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, during opening day at Magic Mountain Resort in Kimberly. Larimer, who's been snowboarding for 20 years, says he tries to make it out for every opening day.

Levi Valdez, 5, sleds down a hill at the College of Southern Idaho on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Twin Falls.

DREW NASH TIMES-NEWS Nampa resident Brandon Mullins skies to the lodge during the last snow day at Solider Mountain Saturday, March 16, 2013 near Fairfield.

ASHLEY SMITH TIMES-NEWS Ralph West, 9, walks along Filer Avenue East on Friday with snow ball he picked up on his walk home. West picked up the snow to make sure he would have enough at his home.

Tracks left by Thursdays skiers at Soldier Mountain near Fairfield crisscross down the slopes. Skiers who showed up for opening day said they wouldve liked to see more snow on the mountain, though most said they were just happy to be on the slopes. The resort had remained closed since a March 2009 fire razed its lodge.

Clara Doetsch, 7, sleds down an embankment Thursday afternoon, Dec. 25, 2014, on the CSI campus in Twin Falls.

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Blues-busters: Beat the winter blahs with these hot takes on alternative therapies - Times-News

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Do ‘Legal’ Weed Alternatives Really Work? – Lifehacker

Posted: at 8:47 pm

Even as an increasing number of Americans have come to accept the use of cannabis, one thing that hasnt budged much is how accessible it is. Sure, more states are legalizing the stuff every year, but even where weed is legal, you cant just walk into the corner store and buy it alongside some toilet paper and a bottle of winewith the exception, in many states, of CBD and delta-8 THC products.

Loopholes in the 2018 Farm Bill freed up the production of hemp-derived products at the federal level, which resulted in an explosion in the market for CDB oils and other CBD-based products. And CBDs skyrocketing popularity and sorta-legal nature led to a surplus of the stuff, and old techniques used to derive intoxicating THC alternatives like delta-8 THC from hemp in a lab setting suddenly gained new commercial applications. Thanks to its hemp-derived origins, delta-8-THC became federally legal, and enjoys the same juicy loophole status as CBD in some not-so-cannabis-friendly areas of the country. Delta-8 THC products, from gummies to vapes, are now shipped and sold all over, even where weed remains illegal.

But delta-8 THC is not the only other intoxicating form of original THCaka delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. As weed is studied more and past research is revisited, more different types of THC are being developed in labs and discovered in cultivars. You can now also order products containing THC-O and THC-V, for examplebut how are these substances different from one another, and how can you make sure they are safe to use?

While weed has been smoked or eaten for thousands of years, names for their individual compounds came along much later. According to Weedmaps, THC was genetically mapped in 1964 by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, after he identifed CBD in 1963. These are just two out of hundreds of cannabinoids, which can be either synthetic, plant-derived, or made by the body.

The cannabinoids we are aware of are able to modulate the bodys endocannabinoid system. THC is a phytocannabinoid, or a plant-developed cannabinoid; our bodies also make their own cannabinoids, like anandamide, known to kick in when youre doing a rigorous workout. Synthetic cannabinoids have also been lab-developed using scientific processes to convert chemicals into cannabinoids, or one cannabinoid into another.

There are countless endocannabinoid receptors all over the body, and its wild that even after years of study, we dont have a full picture of the human endocannabinoid system. But we do know that cannabinoids can influence appetite, body temperature, sleep patterns, and more.

The THC made popular by the original methods of cannabis consumption (smoking, eating) is produced in the living plant as THC-A, or Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid, which needs to be decarboxylated by either drying, time, or heat (smoking!) to convert into psychoactive delta-9 THC. This occurs naturally in the curing process, or is engineered by the creation of edibles, extraction, or the vaping/combustion process.

A rare, sought after cannabinoid from the THC family is THC-V, which only occurs in very specific cultivars like Durban Poison. Nate Ferguson, Chief Product Officer at Jetty Extracts, keeps an eye on the minor cannabinoid space as part of his expertise in cannabis extraction.

As Ferguson told us via email, the effects of THC-V are very different from that of delta-9 THC, [which is] the most common cannabinoid that we all know and love. The effects are energizing and uplifting. There are also some potential medical benefits that are being researched including, appetite suppressing properties, or as a stimulant replacement.

Legitimate medical research could be exploring these phytocannabinoids for their potential, but THC carries the stigma of all weed, and with it, federal illegality (despite state legalization), and all of those associated barriers to study.

Ferguson thinks that unique cannabinoids are of interest due to their potential for meeting health needs. Most consumers searching out these rare cannabinoids are looking for medicinal benefits or a pointed effect, he notes. And, sure, some people just want to get high. Whats wrong with that?

As noted above, delta-8 THC is another child of the Farm Bill, yet its not exactly new on the scene. According to Chemical and Engineering News, a trade publication for chemists and entrepreneurs, using simple chemistry reported in the 1960s, the industry...started experimenting with ways to convert CBD into delta-8-THC. The resulting products target consumers who are looking to relieve stress and anxiety, especially those who dont want to use traditional cannabis products or those who live in places where cannabis products are not legally available.

Essentially, patchwork legality and market forces have created an alt-weed space where, as long as the extracts or synthesized cannabinoids come from CBD first extracted from low-THC hemp (as opposed to high-THC cannabis), they exist in the same grey area as CBD does. Cannabis plants do produce delta-8-THC, but in small numbers that would waste too much biomass to obtain; by synthesizing delta-8 THC from CBD, brands are actually widening THC access, not to mention mainstream cannabis acceptability.

How does delta-8 compare to cannabis? Its hard to saymany users report it has more mild effects (one purveyor claims in its marketing that its products carry fewer of the negative effects of THC, like laziness and paranoia. But its effects can reportedly be wildly inconsistent. And delta-8 isnt the only alternative around.

THC-O, aka THC-o-acetate, like delta-8 THC, also occurs naturally in trace amounts, but is more commonly synthesized from cannabinoids derived from low-THC hemp. According to the industry advocacy site delta8.com, it is rumored that THC-O is roughly 3 times more potent than regular THC, which is the kind of dubious phrasing that tells you exactly how much rigorous study has gone on.

We asked Phiton Nguyen, president of Qwin, a company that makes a variety of hemp-compliant cannabis products, including delta-8 and THC-O taffy, syrups, and other alt-weed products, to explain precisely what THC-O is, what it does, and why customers are interested in it.

What we see on the mass market are isolated forms of these cannabinoids. THC-O is also one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis, short for THC-O-acetate, which has a milder and very different effect than delta-9, he says. From our experience, it produces a psychedelic experience giving users mild visuals and enhanced vision.

Of course, your own experience may vary, as with the use of any drug, legal or notwhich might explain why Nguyens touts milder effects while delta8.com promises three times the potency. For their part, Qwin products are created in a facility in Long Beach, California, a regular cannabis hub, though their SKUs dont end up at the same dispensaries as their neighbors. Nguyen says the family-owned business was created after cancer caused them to consider cannabis as an alternative treatment method.

Were huge advocates for plant-based medicine, Nguyen says. We want to give people access to cannabis who need it but [who] dont have a local dispensary or dont want to buy it on the black market where they cant verify the quality of the product.

Other forms of hemp-derived THC are also emerging, including delta-10 (reported to be less potent than delta-8) and THC-P (discovered in late 2019, and said to be 33 times more effective at binding with cannabinoid receptors, delivering an intense and intoxicating experience). But as in the CBD industry, the line between fact and marketing claims can be pretty blurry, and it can be hard to determine how the products are being produced and whats actually in them. Still, while traditional cannabis advocates tend to be against these alt forms of THC or hemp derived solutions, preferring to pursue national legalization, but the demand for them is there for a reason.

People want access to cannabis so badly that they are succumbing to subpar products made with potentially hazardous byproducts, according to the FDA. All of these cannabinoids, both synthetic and naturally occurring, have been studied by the military industrial complex for almost a century, but wider research needs to take place to not only deem safe quantities and processes, but to eradicate a taboo that creates chaosand the potential for unsavory characters to put K2 synthetic marijuana in a gummy and call it wellness.

While many of these alt-weed products are available across the country or can be ordered online, all commercial cannabis products, whether sold online, in dispensaries, or as general merchandise, should always be made in safe settings, and quality ensured via testingpractices that are only common among reputable brands.

When exploring these products, always look into who made themand via what methods and what what safeguardsbefore ingesting them in the hopes of achieving a particular outcome, even if it is just getting high. Its never a bad idea to research the latest cannabis and hemp rules in your state, too: while delta-8-THC is regularly added to dispensary offerings in states like California, New York is cracking down on the stuff, and recently passed a law that made its sale illegal, despite the states legalization of recreational cannabis. Cannabis prohibition is still very real in some places and you dont want to face legal troubles over a THC-infused confection if you can avoid it.

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Global Herbal Medicines Market to Reach US$178.4 Billion by – GlobeNewswire

Posted: at 8:47 pm

New York, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Herbal Medicines Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06031785/?utm_source=GNW Offered in tablets, powder, capsules, and tea forms, these products have few or no side effects and present a safe alternative to standard options to improve health and organ function. Growth in the global market is being spurred by increasing attention on self-care, rising awareness and influx of significant investments for R&D activity. Market growth is augmented by increasing awareness regarding negative effects of using allopathic medicines as well as compelling health benefits of herbal medicines. Factors such as rising attention on natural products, increasing aging population and rising cases of chronic disorders are providing a significant impetus to the global market. The outbreak of Covid-19 has also provided an opportunity for herbal medicine manufacturers to increasingly roll out herbal products that boost immunity. Growth is supported by increasing focus on products that offer digestive support, stress relief and better immunity health. The market growth is also favored by increasing attention on personalized medicines and easy availability of herbal supplements. On the flip side, lack of a proper regulatory framework and low level of awareness about these products remain major barriers to the market growth.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Herbal Medicines estimated at US$110.2 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$178.4 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% over the analysis period. Herbal Pharmaceuticals, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 8.6% CAGR to reach US$84.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Herbal Functional Foods segment is readjusted to a revised 7.9% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 25.4% share of the global Herbal Medicines market. Known for medicinal properties, leaves from herbal plants are extracted to produce numerous herbal supplements. Herbal pharmaceuticals, and supplements contain whole plants or individual parts of plants used to prevent or treat illness or disease. Besides offering reliable treatment medications for a range of health disorders, medicinal herbs are also ideal for use in food and beverage products as health consciousness is poised to remain as one of the important aspects of modern population.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $22.8 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $32.9 Billion by 2026

The Herbal Medicines market in the U.S. is estimated at US$22.8 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 18.4% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$32.9 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 10.8% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 7.4% and 7.1% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 6.5% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$35.8 Billion by the end of the analysis period. The demand for herbal supplements has been predominantly concentrated in the West, due to relatively high levels of health consciousness, and widespread and easy access to products. An ageing population, changing health perception and the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance are driving the demand for herbal supplements and remedies. Major factors driving growth in emerging countries include expanding population base, growing tendency of living healthy among consumers, increasing consumer awareness about wellness and dietary requirements, and growing demand for natural remedies. Growth in the region is supported by cultural affinity to herbalism and strong consumer confidence in the efficacy and safety of herbal ingredients.

Herbal Beauty Products Segment to Reach $20.2 Billion by 2026

Medicinal herbs offer highly functional ingredients for manufacturing beauty products and cosmetics. Herbal ingredients provide reliable ingredients to enrich the cosmetic products and deliver much better functionality than regular chemicals-based cosmetics. The increasing uptake of these herbal products is credited to rising consumer awareness regarding negative implications of inorganic cosmetics ingredients. In the global Herbal Beauty Products segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 4.8% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$11.4 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$15.8 Billion by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$2.7 Billion by the year 2026, while Latin America will expand at a 5.8% CAGR through the analysis period.

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Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06031785/?utm_source=GNW

I. METHODOLOGY

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. MARKET OVERVIEW Impact of Covid-19 and a Looming Global Recession 2020: A Year of Disruption & Transformation As the Race between the Virus & Vaccines Intensifies, Where is the World Economy in 2021 EXHIBIT 1: World Economic Growth Projections (Real GDP, Annual % Change) for 2020 through 2022 Role of Herbal Medicine in the Fight against Covid-19 Pandemic Leads to Increased Consumer Focus on Health and Wellness Products, Driving the Consumption of Herbal Supplements and Foods Heal Thyself Motto amid COVID-19 Drives Uptake of Herbal Medicines Herbal Medicines on the March as Mutant Versions of COVID-19 Virus Emerge A Regional Overview of How Herbal Medicine has Gained Attention Amid the Pandemic A Prelude to Herbs Herbal Medicine Market Insights Outlook Geographic Landscape An Overview of Select Markets Japan China China Gives Green Signal to Herbal Medicines to Expand COVID-19 Treatment Options India Salient Factors Establishing Phytopharmaceuticals as Promising Niche Market in India South Korea Cuba Africa Thailand Why Few Herbal Medicines have Secured Approval as Prescription Medicines? Recent Market Activity World Brands

2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS

3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Market to Gain from Mounting Concerns Over Side Effect Profile of Synthetic Drugs Shifting Preference towards Traditional Medicines to Widen the Addressable Market Rising Uptake of Medicinal Herbs Enriched Functional Foods Herbal Supplements Gain Traction Leaves, Roots Extracts Thrive Well Key Trends and Products Shaping the Herbal Supplements Market Rising Popularity of Curcumin & Turmeric Products Consumer Focus on Self-Care Organic Products Nutritional Deficiency & Sedentary Lifestyle Open New Avenues Ashwagandha: A Star Performer Fall of CBD Products Adaptogens: Growing Role as a Stress Buster Natural Garlic Herbal Supplements Gain Interest for Keeping a Healthy Heart Ginkgo Biloba Gains Popularity for Treatment of Blood Disorders and Memory Disorders Echinacea Gets Popular for Immune Stimulating Properties St. John?s Wort for Depression and Mood Disorders Ginseng Supplements for Energy Boost Ayurvedic Supplements Go Mainstream Research Evidence Supports Positive Role of Herbal Remedies in Boosting Immunity and Stress Management Changing Demographics and Growing Emphasis on Preventive Healthcare Boost Prospects Demand for Traditional Chinese Medicine Surges amid the Pandemic New Technologies Transform Chinese Herbal Medicine Indian Ayurveda to Witness Rapid Worldwide Growth led by the Pandemic Demand for Ashwagandha Containing Supplements to Soar Growing Opportunities for Herbal Medicines in Beauty & Cosmetics Sector Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance Drives Opportunities EXHIBIT 2: Deaths from Antimicrobial Resistance to Increase by 2050 With Depression Increasingly Becoming a Common, Herbal Alternatives Gain Attention EXHIBIT 3: Anti-Depressant Market: Percentage Share Breakdown by Depressive Disorder Type Herbal Supplement Usage in Dentistry Surges amid Concerns Rising Aging Population Drives Demand EXHIBIT 4: Aging Population Steps-Up The Burden on Healthcare: Global Aging Population Statistics for the 65+ Age Group in Million by Geographic Region for the Years 2019, 2025, 2035 and 2050 EXHIBIT 5: Global Cost of Chronic Diseases (In US$ Billion) for the Years 2018 and 2030 Unique Healthcare Needs of Women Propel Demand for Various Herbal Supplements Increasing Focus on Weight Management Spurs Demand for Herbs that Aid Weight Loss Epidemic Proportions of Obesity Lead to Increased Focus on Weight Management EXHIBIT 6: Obesity Prevalence Rate (%) in Select Countries for the Years 2019 and 2030P EXHIBIT 7: Global Obesity Epidemic: Percentage of Overweight, Obese, and Severely Obese Adults for 2014 & 2025 Increasing Prevalence of Chronic & Lifestyle Diseases Enhances Consumer Demand EXHIBIT 8: Global Cancer Incidence: Number of New Cancer Cases in Million for the Years 2018, 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035 and 2040 EXHIBIT 9: Global Breakdown of Total Number of Cancer Cases by Type: 2020 EXHIBIT 10: World Diabetes and Population Statistics (2019, 2030 & 2045) EXHIBIT 11: Global Annual Medical Cost of CVD in US$ Billion: 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030 Urbanization Trend Drives Uptake of Herbal Supplements EXHIBIT 12: World Urban Population in Thousands: 1950-2050P Regulatory Regime for Herbal Medicine The EU Regulatory System for Herbal Medicinal Products Emerging Demand for CSR and Sustainable Sourcing Key Challenges Hampering Growth Prospects for Herbal Medicines and Supplements Risk Drug Interactions between Herbs and Conventional Drugs Challenge Market Prospects Safety Assessment and Registration Requirements Restrict Herbal Medicinal Market

4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE Table 1: World Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 2: World Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 3: World 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 4: World Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Pharmaceuticals by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 5: World Historic Review for Herbal Pharmaceuticals by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 6: World 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Pharmaceuticals by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 7: World Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Functional Foods by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 8: World Historic Review for Herbal Functional Foods by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 9: World 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Functional Foods by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 10: World Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Beauty Products by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 11: World Historic Review for Herbal Beauty Products by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 12: World 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Beauty Products by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 13: World Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Dietary Supplements by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 14: World Historic Review for Herbal Dietary Supplements by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 15: World 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Dietary Supplements by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 16: World Current & Future Analysis for Capsules & Tablets by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 17: World Historic Review for Capsules & Tablets by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 18: World 15-Year Perspective for Capsules & Tablets by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 19: World Current & Future Analysis for Powders by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 20: World Historic Review for Powders by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 21: World 15-Year Perspective for Powders by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 22: World Current & Future Analysis for Syrups by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 23: World Historic Review for Syrups by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 24: World 15-Year Perspective for Syrups by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 25: World Current & Future Analysis for Extracts by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 26: World Historic Review for Extracts by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 27: World 15-Year Perspective for Extracts by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

III. MARKET ANALYSIS

UNITED STATES Table 28: USA Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 29: USA Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 30: USA 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 31: USA Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 32: USA Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 33: USA 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

CANADA Table 34: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 35: Canada Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 36: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 37: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 38: Canada Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 39: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

JAPAN Table 40: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 41: Japan Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 42: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 43: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 44: Japan Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 45: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

CHINA Table 46: China Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 47: China Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 48: China 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 49: China Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 50: China Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 51: China 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

EUROPE Table 52: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 53: Europe Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 54: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 55: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 56: Europe Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 57: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 58: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 59: Europe Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 60: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

FRANCE Table 61: France Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 62: France Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 63: France 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 64: France Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 65: France Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 66: France 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

GERMANY Table 67: Germany Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 68: Germany Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 69: Germany 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 70: Germany Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 71: Germany Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 72: Germany 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

ITALY Table 73: Italy Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 74: Italy Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 75: Italy 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 76: Italy Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 77: Italy Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 78: Italy 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

UNITED KINGDOM Table 79: UK Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 80: UK Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 81: UK 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Category - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

Table 82: UK Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 83: UK Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Form - Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

Table 84: UK 15-Year Perspective for Herbal Medicines by Form - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Capsules & Tablets, Powders, Syrups and Extracts for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027

SPAIN Table 85: Spain Current & Future Analysis for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR

Table 86: Spain Historic Review for Herbal Medicines by Category - Herbal Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Functional Foods, Herbal Beauty Products and Herbal Dietary Supplements Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR

The rest is here:

Global Herbal Medicines Market to Reach US$178.4 Billion by - GlobeNewswire

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Handing It Down: The Craft of Indigenous Healing – Medscape

Posted: at 8:47 pm

In Austin, Texas, Marika Alvarado is attempting to keep the teachings of Indigenous healers alive through the generations. Her work, which was passed down from her mother and grandmother, she realized, would end with her. Alvarado, a Lipan Mescalero Apache medicine woman and healer, began the Of the Earth Institute of Indigenous Cultures and Teachings and offers a certificate-granting course to instruct others in the craft.

The course, which Alvarado has taught to 25 students so far this year, is focused on holistic healing and Apache traditions. For 6 months, she instructs her students on plant-based medicine, nutrition, and other natural remedies.

"As a child, I was taught the traditional way, as my family tended those who came to them in need," she notes on her website. "I am here to help in the healing of others and to pass on these teachings I have been given."

For Alvarado, becoming a healer was predecided. At birth, her grandmother foretold that she would one day be a healer. When Alvarado was 5 years old, she began seeing the spirits of her ancestors. Soon after, she began shadowing her mother and grandmother, learning their methods and the lessons that had been handed down to them through generations.

When her grandmother and mother died, it all changed.

"Suddenly, I was standing alone," she said to the Houston Chronicle. "I have my own medicine that will die with me because there are no Apaches to pass it on. I would hate to know that it gets lost."

Marika Alvarado, a Lipan Mescalero Apache medicine woman and healer, began the Of the Earth Institute of Indigenous Cultures and Teachings and offers a certificate-granting course to instruct others in the craft.

Alvarado's solution was to begin passing it down to others, the same way that her grandmother and mother did for her.

"I believe that I should teach all people who have the dedication and spiritual will to use these teachings as Mother Earth and the generations before me intended," she said on her website.

During the time between her training and her decision to begin equipping the next generations of healers, Alvarado offered alternative healing at Lone Star Circle of Care Clinic in Austin. There, her work focuses on treating people with care. It's not purely medical according to the Chronicle, Alvarado's sessions often start with her offering a cup of tea to people and just talking.

Her traditional approach, she told the Chronicle, isn't meant to be the replacement for Western medicine. It's supposed to be an alternative and that the two methods should work in tandem with one another.

Alvarado's work in healing and teaching exists to pass down what she's learned, as well as the legacy of Indigenous healers before her. Her course, as listed on her website, is meant for people who have felt the calling to heal.

"We need to be the shift," Alvarado told the Chronicle. "We need to educate and let everyone know what we do, how we do it, and how we do it with plants."

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Health care system, companies are to blame for interest in alternative medicine – The Cougar – The Daily Cougar

Posted: January 13, 2022 at 5:48 am

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

The current trend toward alternative medicine is often credited to the anti-vaccine movement, but the flawed U.S. health care system and companies that sell these treatments leads people to seek these other options.

While alternative medicines do not always work, instead of shaming people who seek these treatments, people should shame the companies that sell them as well as the inadequate health care system that leads people to seek other options.

There are several forms of alternative medicine such as healing crystals, essential oils and herbal supplements. These treatments are often thought of as being complementary form of medicine to the customers standard health care. However, alternative forms cannot be a complement to healthcare if there is no adequate standard healthcare to begin with.

From inadequate response to the pandemic to high costs which serve as deterrents and to reliance on crowdfunding websites for medical care, there are multiple ways in which the current standard health care system is failing. People shouldnt have to plead their case for medical bills on a crowdfunding platform or forego treatment due to the high cost.

The high costs of health care is what often leads people to turn to alternative medicines such as crystals, which are considered to be a source of healing in some alternative medicine circles. Many people joke about the trend of crystal healing and shame those who consider it to be a real treatment or a substitute for actual health care.

However, this distracts from the reality that alternative medicine can be a response to anxiety and skepticism about the health care system.

While some people have listened to anti-vaccine propaganda, many people are skeptical about health care for understandable reasons. The health care system has a racist, sexist history that continues today. Women have been known to be misdiagnosed at higher rates than men while Black women die more during childbirth than white women.

People distrust doctors often due to bad personal experiences with them where they felt unheard and gaslit. This is why people may turn to crystals, herbal concoctions and other alternative medicine products.

The blame is not just on the health care system in the U.S. but also on the companies that take advantage of desperate customers who want health care in order to maximize their profits.

Many companies that sell crystals, supplements and other alternative treatments are just taking advantage of these customers. Their goal is to make money, not treat patients. The treatments are often inaccurately advertised as well, with companies often selling fake crystals and watered down treatments. Customers who buy these treatments often do not even get what they paid for.

Rejecting these treatments should not include scorning people for engaging in the consumption but companies who market these products and the health care system that creates the demand for such products to exist.

Christopher Hernandez is an English senior who can be reached at[emailprotected]

Tags: health and wellness, health care, Medicine

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In response to the opioid epidemic, some health care providers are rethinking pain management – Chesterfield Observer

Posted: at 5:48 am

As doctors shift away from large and frequent doses of addictive painkillers to stem a surge in deaths by opioid overdose, clinicians prescribing alternative treatments tout a range of options but agree that exercise improves almost every regimen in which alleviating pain and restoring functionality are the goals.

In Chesterfield County, opioid overdose deaths are climbing. Excluding cases in which the Virginia Medical Examiners Office also detected fentanyl, a synthetic opioid added to increase the potency of illegal heroin, Chesterfield had 66 deaths from opioid overdose in 2019, 100 in 2020 and 56 in just the first half of 2021. Opioid addiction isnt always obvious or preceded by other forms of substance abuse; many victims of overdose are people with jobs and stable lives who find themselves hooked on drugs prescribed legally.

Stacy, a 60-year-old Goochland County resident who wants to remain anonymous to protect her interests in an ongoing lawsuit, had minor knee trouble before a car crash a few years ago. She controlled the pain of an expanding airbag hitting her knee with over-the-counter analgesics and physical therapy. I had difficulty walking for any period of time. Just sitting down, getting up, the knee would catch and the last time it did, I fell down the steps, she recalls. Barely able to walk, she decided to have her knee replaced.

Stacy suffered both major categories of pain: Before surgery she endured chronic pain, the sort lasting more than eight weeks, associated with conditions like a tricky knee, bad back, arthritis or fibromyalgia. Post-operation, Stacy had acute pain, the short-term sort that comes after an incision, broken bone or deep bruise. For this acute pain, she took narcotics prescribed by her doctor.

However, she discontinued using them after a week or so. Like many, she feared the possibility of addiction. Instead, shes relied on ice to numb her healing joint and vigorous exercise on a stationary bike to keep it loose. I was very conscious of drugs, Stacy says. I knew I didnt want them.

Now, she manages her residual pain from the injury stiffness caused by inactivity by trying to exercise regularly.

Anchoring treatment for pain with physical therapy is common. Its the grandfather of drug-free pain therapy in modern medicine. Physical therapists use rehabilitative exercise, joint manipulation, massage, applications of heat and ice, ultrasound, electronic stimulation and other techniques to reduce discomfort and improve strength and range of motion.

Physical therapy is relatively inexpensive and sometimes a prerequisite for other treatments. Lisa Berman is a physical therapist at the Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Centers outpatient therapy clinic in Chester, one of seven in the region. As it gets tougher to access opioid drugs, she says, patients are desperate to find other ways to manage their pain.

Berman also uses a technique called dry needling. To the untrained eye, dry needling appears to be the same as acupuncture. In both treatments, thin stainless steel needles are pushed through the skin. The similarity ends there. Developed in China over centuries, acupuncture presumes pain and illness are caused by an imbalance in the bodys energy, and that application of needles along energy pathways can ease pain and promote healing.

Dry needling was developed in Europe in the 20th century by doctors using scientific methods. Energy pathways arent the targets. Dry needling stimulates or relaxes muscles directly. I use dry needling for recalcitrant kinds of pain, like pain that doesnt respond to other kinds of treatment, Berman says, adding that she isnt surprised that alternative treatments are growing in popularity. New therapies for pain management are attractive because people are increasingly aware of the danger of opioid addiction.

At JNT Dental, Dr. Joseph Tregaskes uses lasers as an alternative to narcotics in painful craniofacial conditions. Laser therapy was first developed in the late 1960s and involves placing a light source on or close to the skin to manipulate tissue and cells in the body.

Tregaskes treats headaches temple mandibular joint pain, muscular issues, nerve issues, ligament and tendon issues, and cervical spine issues. Adjusting a lasers power, pulse and wavelength allows the lights energy to penetrate the skin and reach places where pain begins, according to Dr. Nelson Marquina of Laser Biotech International, a Richmond-based company that sells the equipment to the medical market.

It stimulates at the cellular level, Tregaskes explains. And it works really well on pretty much all tissues. You work on nerve tissues, vascular structures, your ligament and tendon issues. Lasers can also reduce inflammation. Because the energy is delivered at the cellular level, lasers can even stimulate broken bones to heal, he says.

Doctors also promote therapies that target how we feel about ourselves when burdened by pain. These include meditation and even hypnosis.

Dr. Benjamin Seeman at Integrative Pain Specialists in Henrico says theyre essential: Mindfulness is incredibly important Studies have demonstrated the link between stress and pain, and mindfulness can be an excellent way to reduce stress.

Seeman says attitudes about opioids are changing among both practitioners and patients. When we are able to convince a patient to try a different approach, or at least decrease their dosages, they find they are able to enjoy an improved quality of life and decreased pain.

Berman says insurance companies usually require a patient to try other mitigations for pain, such as physical therapy, before authorizing more novel approaches, which can be more expensive.

Whether drugs are part of a pain management therapy or not, she emphasizes the power of exercise. Motion is lotion, she says. Even going for a walk is extremely therapeutic. I really encourage people to just be active. Im big into yoga Im big into any kind of movement.

Seeman agrees: Exercise is very important. I encourage all my patients to stay as active as possible.

Opioids arent the only solution.

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Benefits of Meditation for Runners – Why Runners Should Meditate – Runner’s World

Posted: at 5:48 am

Meditation has long been used to promote calm and relaxation, cope with stress and illness, and manage anxiety and depression. As its list of positive effects grows, so too has the percent of adults in the United States who reported meditatingfrom 4% in 2012 to 14% in 2017, according to the most recent National Health Interview Survey.

Runners often call their time logging miles their moving meditation. However, if the disappointment of a slower-than-expected mile split or panic over unexplained tightness in your calf can derail your race or ruin your workout, adding a formal meditation practice to your training routine can better prepare you to handle these feelings and emotionsboth on the run and in life. Just as lifting weights can strengthen your hips or hamstrings, meditation can strengthen your mind, enhancing your running and overall wellbeing.

Here, we will explain what meditation is, the benefits to your health and performance, and how you can make it a part of your training plan.

Meditation is a set of techniques used to bring awareness back to a specific focus when your mind wanders. These techniques can help your mind process emotions, contributing to your overall wellness and stress management.

A meditation practice typically involves focusing your attention while in a comfortable posture, such as sitting, lying down, or walking. And ideally, its practiced in a place with limited distractions.

Once youve checked those boxes, the meditation exercises themselves are simple. Focus on your breath by counting or repeating a mantra. Or you can scan your senses and observe what your body sees, hears, tastes, smells, or feels to center your attention.

When distracting thoughts ariseThis is boring; My nose itches; Were out of milkcome back to that focus. There is no time requirement to make the meditation count, so meditate for as long as you feel comfortable. Though the more you make an effort to meditate, the more you will get out of it.

Dont be fooled though; while the practice itself is simple, meditating is not always easy. What meditation is not is peace and stillness from the moment you begin, so dont get discouraged if your first few attempts feel awkward.

Rebecca Pachecothe author of the book Still Life The Myths and Magic of Mindful Living, and a meditation and yoga instructoracknowledges that it will, at times, feel difficult for even the most experienced meditators. You may find you are bored, anxious, or fidgety, and thats okay, Pacheco, a two-time Boston Marathon finisher, tells Runners World. Youre not doing it wrong.

Meditation also is not self-improvement, but by practicing awareness and self-compassion, some people may argue that meditation can help you improve yourself. Your thoughts are not bad or wrong; the key is to approach them without judgement.

Meditation is self-acceptance, says Pacheco. The purpose is to give you a place where you dont have to get it right. And the irony is that things often will improve.

Mindfulness and meditation are sometimes used interchangeably, though the two boil down into more specific descriptions: meditation is the practice, while mindfulness is a state of being. Practicing meditation trains your mind to pay attention mindfully.

Mindfulness training uses meditation exercises in combination with informal practices, such as running, to incorporate mindfulness into daily life. Together, these practices train your mind to focus less on negative thoughts, emotions, and memories, and instead makes space for it to concentrate on the present, without getting ahead of itself.

Dr. Keith Kaufman, a clinical sports psychologist and co-developer of the Mindful Sports Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program, describes mindfulness as a nonreactive approach. The challenge is that humans naturally react to feeling uncomfortable and try to minimize it. He related it to the discomfort felt in a race.

Its called an ironic mental process, Kaufman tells Runners World. If you are saying, Im in so much pain right now. I shouldnt feel this pain, I dont want to feel this pain, what it does is actually bring more of your focus to the pain and can actually make it worse. Mindfulness training gives us a way of accepting [the pain and helping us think], Right now, my body is in pain. Right now, this is how my body is feeling, but I can still feel this, and I can still proceed.

The benefits of meditation have been widely studied and researchers are continually finding positive effects on a variety of health conditions. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), some of those benefits include reducing high blood pressure, helping symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis flareups, and easing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Meditation has also shown promise when it comes to managing pain and improving insomnia, and it may help people quit smoking.

For some, these benefits may be enough to convince you to start meditating. But for those runners who need the extra nudge, research has shown sports-specific benefits associated with mindfulness-based interventions.

Meditation can help you get in the zonewhen you are so absorbed in your run that it feels effortless, an experience that has been associated with peak performance. A 2009 study in the Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology, following long distance runners who used the MSPE program co-developed by Dr. Kaufman, showed improvements in mindfulness and awareness, and decreases in sport-related worries and perfectionismfactors that may aid runners in reaching that flow state.

If youre thinking about your time and if youre thinking about the end result of the race, its really hard to get into that rhythm, its really hard to get into that flow. By letting go of the outcome and instead focusing on whats happening right now, which is one of the big targets of attention that we talk about, then that can help us get more into the state of flow, Kaufman says.

Meditation can also improve your perception of pain and fatigue, which may prevent you from giving up or slowing down on the run. A 2020 study in Neural Plasticity showed athletes who completed mindfulness training improved endurance performances by having a higher threshold for exhaustion. And a 2021 study in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that following the completion of a mindfulness-based training program, female college students reported decreases in their perception of exercise intensity and other negative feelings, such as fatigue, following an 800-meter run.

The takeaway here: If your brain thinks you have more gas in the tank, your body can push harder, or at least enjoy the run a bit more.

Additionally, meditation can get you back on your feet sooner following a workout or injury. A 2021 study in the Journal of Athletic Training found mindfulness training, in conjunction with traditional physical therapies, reduced pain while running, improved coping strategies, and decreased pain catastrophizing in patients with knee pain.

And a 2000 study in the Journal of British Sport Medicine showed that runners who practiced meditation exercises as part of a relaxation training significantly decreased their blood lactate concentrationwhich is an indirect marker for fatigue in exercising musclesafter exercise. This is just another reason to take a rest day, and using some of that time off from running to meditate may get you back on your feet sooner.

But will meditating make you run faster? A 2011 study in the Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology showed improvements in runners mile times one year after the mindfulness training program was completed by participants.

However, Kaufman cautions, It would be way overstating the science of meditation to say if you meditate, youre going to be faster. But by meditating, it can change the way you pay attention in competitive moments. It really can change the entire trajectory of your performance if youre not getting stuck in a reaction to something. You can stay present, and you can keep making choices that are best for your performance, and in that sense it could help you run faster.

It would be way overstating the science of meditation to say if you meditate, youre going to be faster. But by meditating, it can change the way you pay attention in competitive moments.

Both Kaufman and Pacheco agree that using running as an informal way to practice mindfulness is important because the goal, ultimately, is to integrate these skills into daily life. However, much like your training plan may include easy, tempo and long runs, Kaufman believes a formal meditation practice can help you develop the range of skills necessary for remaining mindful on your run, or life, as a variety of situations are thrown your way.

Here are a few tips to start your meditation practice:

Start small. If you were starting to run for the first time, you would not go out for a ten-mile tempo run. The same goes for meditation. Start with three minutes, says Pacheco, Then try to string together days, then weeks. A little can go a long way.

Just begin. The hardest part of a run is often getting out the door. Set yourself up for success by designating a time to meditate when you might actually do it, like immediately after a run. And then actually do it! Just as it might take a mile or two to settle into a run, so too may it take a moment to get settled into a mediation practice.

Often if you keep going, something clears and the run turns around. And even if it doesnt, you often feel better than when you started. Meditation works the same way, Pacheco says.

Use available resources. Apps like Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer have libraries of guided meditations if you feel you dont know where to start. Dr. Kaufmans podcast, Mindful Sports Performance, begins each episode with a mindfulness exercise. Find what works for you.

Fit meditation into your day in a way that works best for you. If you cant sit down on a meditation cushion with incense burning to meditate, thats okay! Meditation doesnt have to look a certain way. All it takes to be a good meditator, is to meditate, Pacheco says.

Pacheco suggests using existing moments in the day to meditate, such as while waiting in the exam room for your doctor or while sitting in your (preferably parked) car if you arrive early for a meeting or date. Or the next time you are about to mindlessly scroll on your phone, try two minutes of breathwork instead. There is no right or wrong way to meditate.

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Letter to the Editor: Supplemental Information – Good Times Weekly

Posted: at 5:48 am

I am writing this in response to the Brain Supplements section of your article Ask Science (GT, 1/5), which I feel is not accurate, and is misleading to your readers.

I am a Ph.D Nutritional Scientist and researcher with over 45 years experience and author of several hundred published articles, and was previously a columnist for the Press Banner.

The article has a quote from a neurologist who I am sure is very competent in her field, but lacks credibility in her comment: There really isnt evidence to suggest that any particular vitamin or supplement can help improve or reverse cognitive changes.

I am very sorry Dr. Hellmuth, but you seem to have missed hundreds of scientific studies that disprove your statement.

I have included several studies in this letter, but I am prepared to provide additional scientific studies to prove my point.

The following findings were presented at the 14th Clinical Trials on Alzheimers Disease (CTAD) on November 10, 2021, in Boston. The placebo-controlled study included 2,262 adults aged 65 and over without dementia who underwent cognitive tests at baseline and annually for 3 years. The average age at baseline was 73 years, and 40.4% were men.

Daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation appears to slow cognitive aging by 60%, or by 1.8 years, said study researcher Laura D. Baker, PhD, professor, Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She continues Our study provides new evidence that daily multivitamin supplementation may benefit cognitive function in older women and men.

In a Feb 2017 study published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, researchers analyzed 5,269 men and women, and compared to non-supplementers, those who supplemented with vitamin C and/or vitamin E had a 38% lower adjusted risk of all-cause dementia and a 40% lower risk of Alzheimers disease. They also had a 23% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment.

In a 2020 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, researchers concluded: Vitamin D supplementation for 12 months appears to improve cognitive function through reducing oxidative stress Vitamin D may be a promising public health strategy to prevent cognitive decline.

Researchers in a randomized controlled trial published in a 2021 issue of the Journal of Alzheimers Disease reported: Folic acid and DHA [from Omega 3 fish oil] improve cognitive function.

Research findings in Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine (2011) indicate that Lions Mane (a nutritional mushroom) may have potential in stimulation of neurons to regrow in the treatment of senility, Alzheimers disease, repairing neurological trauma from strokes, improving muscle or motor response pathways and cognitive function.

I appreciate the honest and accurate information your paper usually provides; however, your article on brain supplements has more holes than swiss cheese.

I would hope you would provide your readers with accurate information on how nutritional supplements can benefit their lives and improve their brains.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.

Richard Goldberg

Felton

This letter does not necessarily reflect the views of Good Times.To submit a letter to the editor of Good Times: Letters should be originalsnot copies of letters sent to other publications. Please include your name and email address to help us verify your submission (email address will not be published). Please be brief. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and to correct factual inaccuracies known to us. Send letters to [emailprotected].

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The 5 Hidden Benefits Of Health Insurance In India – The Hindu

Posted: at 5:48 am

Whether one buys basic health insurance or a critical illness policy, it is no longer a question of debate if one requires health coverage in todays day and age. Ones income and savings may not be able to match up to the high costs of hospitalisation and treatment in India. Besides, there is always the looming threat of lifestyle diseases, pandemics and critical illnesses striking one at any time. Health insurance helps pay the cost of future health concerns, and gives one the required peace of mind knowing that they have taken concrete measures to safeguard the health of themselves and their loved ones.

Did you know that there are some hidden benefits in your health insurance plan that you are possibly not aware of? We list 5 of them:

#1 Restoration benefit.

Also known as a reset option, the restoration benefit effectively replenishes the sum insured amount when it is exhausted against a claim. The policy with a restoration benefit automatically restores the sum insured during the same policy year. Suppose you have a coverage of Rs 5 lakh and it is exhausted with treating a serious accident. If you have exhausted the entire coverage and require more coverage in the same year, the insurance provider will cover the new claim as well. This is beneficial for those who are likely to require lengthy or repeat hospitalisation, or those who have aged parents with pre-existing health conditions likely to require hospitalisation.

#2 Wellness benefits.

The best health insurance plans incentivise maintaining good health and fitness with a range of wellness benefits. These might include a reduction of premium for a no-claim year, or reward points that can be redeemed for specific benefits in your city, or reimbursement for certain outpatient procedures (under certain conditions), fitness programmes in association with gyms and fitness centres in your city, etc. These are all aimed at keeping the policy holder and their family members in good physical health, so that they may avoid hospitalisation and treatment for as long as possible. Besides, the health insurance provider will offer health insights to better care for your health with advice on exercise, sleep practices, nutrition, diet, mindful living, etc.

#3 Including AYUSH treatments.

Lately, people have started reposing greater faith in alternative medicine. Not every person is content with undergoing Allopathic treatment, not least because of the expense involved and the possible side-effects. However, health insurance in India has traditionally not covered alternative medicine treatments. This picture has now changed, with leading health insurance providers including AYUSH treatments in their coverage. AYUSH is a term to encompass the alternative medicine streams of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy. Apart from these, AYUSH also covers Naturopathy treatments. Consultation, medicines and other procedures under AYUSH are covered by leading health insurance plans in India.

#4 Day-care procedure coverage.

Indian health insurance also did not cover treatments that were discharged on an OPD basis. Even today, most generic health plans entertain claims for 24-hours or more hospitalisation only. But leading insurers cover treatments administered under day-care or OPD, which are made possible due to technological advancements and which do not require 24-hour hospitalisation.

#5 Almost immediate cashless settlement.

If customers have one grouse against insurance policies, it is that the claims are processed slowly and the process is tedious. However, the best health insurance plans settle cashless claims in about a couple of hours from the time of receiving the claim. This means that you or a family member can undergo the treatment you require without having to worry about settling the bills yourself.

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