Poll: first colds, garlic and meditation beat drugs

Rome, November 16, 2010 - Farewell tablets and syrups, Italians prefer natural remedies, garlic and meditation to the top of preferences among remedies and alternative disciplines.

This is what we discovered after conducting a survey among our users, asking them how to prevent and treat the most common colds, sore throats and seasonal disorders. Valerio Sanfo, president of CONDIB, confirms the data, supported by a collective trend oriented towards an "intelligent return to nature".

Autumn, Italians and natural remedies

With autumn the cold comes and in the month of October alone more than 70 thousand Italians have been bedridden with coughs, colds and sore throats (source Italian Society of General Medicine, 2010). Along with official medicine, there are many Italians who choose alternative treatments, in particular men (72% of the sample), who are generally less attentive to wellness news.

But what do the Italian subscribers on the subject respond to?

Almost 42% of respondents say they use natural remedies and unconventional disciplines, over 31% remain faithful to traditional medicines and a small part of the sample - perhaps to be sure not to make mistakes - adheres to both schools of thought (20, 16%).

Divided between remedies and articulated natural disciplines, garlic is at the top of the top 5 of the new naturophiles.

As many as 3 out of 10 respondents (34.70%) -in fact-, admit to using this plant more than for sauté or to chase away vampires, as a panacea to prevent or treat a cold. Antibacterial and anti-infective, garlic protects the heart and increases the immune system in view of winter. In second place we find propolis, widespread and commercialized, it is known for its immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Citrus and clay follow in third and fourth place.

Garlic and OM: medicinal remedies and meditation

Not only medicinal remedies, but also intriguing disciplines such as meditation (65.25%), hydrotherapy (25.42%) and moxibustion (7.62%). In particular, meditation is useful for balancing and favoring the harmony of the organism, increasing the ability to concentrate. The most widely practiced meditation technique is Buddhist, in its various forms (vipassana, samatha and zazen ), but other Eastern meditative practices such as Japanese zen or tantrisimo are not lacking. The use of natural elements like water, applied with the right proportions of temperature and pressure, helps the body by improving blood circulation, for example. Among the disciplines mentioned by the interviewees, we also find phytotherapy, oligotherapy and aromatherapy .

Spread of natural cures

Fashion or suggestion, Italians face seasonal change with an adequate autumn diet, they don't give up sport despite the cold and don't let themselves be frightened if their hair falls a little more than usual. They are not discouraged, on the contrary, they are increasingly fascinated by the new, especially in the field of therapeutic disciplines. But what are the reasons that lead them to choose natural treatments?

47.93% of the sample is convinced: they consider effective remedies and disciplines. The naturalist approach (26.52%) -then pushes them to prefer essences and natural elements compared to industrially processed products. Only a small part of the sample (22.87%) thinks of saving indicating it among the reasons for the choice.

Valerio Sanfo President of CONDIB (National Coordination of Bio-Natural Disciplines) declares commenting on the study: " Today, more than ever, people have realized that prevention is the spearhead of health and that synthetic drugs have a high number of contraindications. What is happening is a smart return to nature. There is no longer the contradiction between official medicine (biomedicine), non-conventional medicine and natural disciplines ; the latest developments are directed towards a holistic medicine, in which, finally, all wellness operators work together ".

Internet (85.40%) is the main source through which respondents became aware of the treatments, while word of mouth and advertising are reported by 14.59% of the sample . Still not very widespread especially in small towns, the most particular essences are purchased through online shops, while for disciplines we rely on trusted professionals or specialized centers. In fact, the numbers of operators confirm this trend: if Italian pharmacies amount to 22, 874 units, herbalists only have 5, 407, 2, 245 parapharmacies, 1, 742 macrobiotic shops and 676 homeopathic stores (source SEAT Pagine Gialle 2010).

So if it is true that garlic will be the wonderful amulet that will help us counter coughing and sneezing, we will also have the opportunity to test the affection of the interlocutors, since we will put a strain on those with the most sensitive sense of smell.