Its no wonder that more and more people are turning to alternative practices such as food vitamins, herbs, holistic practitioners, massage and acupuncture, just to name a few. One study shows that the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs kill some 140,000 people in the United States each year and cost the country over $136 billion annually. These numbers don’t count addictions and suicides, the side effects alone of prescribed drugs are the nations fifth leading cause of death. Herb related deaths amount to fewer than 50 a year, according to 10 years of statistics and research. The majority of herbs on the marketplace are safe, effective substitutes for drug medications. For example, saw palmetto capsules can replace Proscar, a drug used to reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate in men. Valerian tea is an herbal substitute for sleeping pills, which are often addictive. Frankincense in tincture or tablet form serves as an effective natural anti-inflammatory to replace non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents, which cause gastric distress. If you are concerned about your long term quality of health and length of life, seek out an alternative practitioner who is knowledgeable about alternative remedies and discuss natural, plant based alternative remedies to your current medication.