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The effectiveness of herbs can vary considerably from person to person due to a multitude of factors.

True Story: I am paraphrasing the story as the conversation I had with “Nancy” (not her real name), I found it very tedious, so I am summarizing it. The main issue of her story was she could not remember a time when she did not have postnasal drip and a constant cough. We discussed several issues, and then this is what she stated to me.

“I have tried everything. Nothing works. My best friend's brother had a cat who had this same issue, nose always dripping and a cough. He gave the cat Mr. Wiggles some teapills quiet cough, which worked immediately for the cat. And Mr. Wiggles hasn’t had any other issues. “Nancy” stated so I tried some quiet cough, and it did nothing for me, it is so frustrating.”

First, let me point out that "Nancy" is not a cat. Mr. Wiggles may have been allergic to anything, but it doesn’t mean that Mr. Wiggles and “Nancy” had the same issue.

Herbs and supplements may not be beneficial due to several issues. One of those issues could be
Individual chemistry. Each person's body chemistry is unique, including factors like genetic predispositions, metabolic pathways, and enzyme activity. This can affect how effectively and efficiently the body absorbs and processes the active compounds in herbs. For example, someone with a slower metabolism may take longer to experience the effects of an herb compared to someone with a faster metabolism.

I also can’t rule out that maybe “Nancy” had underlying health conditions.
Existing health conditions can significantly impact how the body responds to herbs. Certain herbs can interact with medications or exacerbate existing health problems. Some individuals may require different dosages or formulations depending on their health status.

Wait there are other reasons you may find herbs and supplements aren’t working for you. This is a huge issue. Dosage.
Dosage and formulation. The effectiveness of an herb is often dependent on the dose and formulation taken. Improper dosage or incorrect preparation can significantly reduce efficacy or even lead to adverse effects. It's crucial to consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance on dosage and formulation based on individual needs.

Which then leads up to another point. Interactions with other herbs, supplements, and medications. Herbs can interact with medications, other supplements, and even certain foods. These interactions can significantly alter the effectiveness or safety of the herb. Consulting a healthcare professional beforehand is crucial to avoid potential complications.

Last but not least, there is the lifestyle “Nancy” leads.
Lifestyle factors. Overall lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, stress levels, and sleep quality can influence how an individual responds to herbal remedies. Addressing underlying lifestyle factors that contribute to health concerns can often boost the effectiveness of any treatment, including herbal remedies.

Let me also point out this; When you go to the doctor, they give you a statin for your cholesterol. After 6 weeks another blood test was done. This bloodwork shows that the statin has not worked. Why? Once again, it is due to the person's chemistry, lifestyle, other supplements, and dosages. It doesn’t elude to the pharmaceutical being bad, it just doesn’t help you.

It is the same with herbs and supplements. Here are a few key points to look for when taking herbs and supplements.

• 1.  How is your digestion? As if your digestion is poor. The supplement that is being taken is not being absorbed and utilized into the body.
• 2.  The quality of the herb and supplement. As with all labels we need to read the labels carefully and understand what they are informing us of. For example, on many bread loaf labels it states cellulose. Well, the hard truth is some companies that cellulose is wood chips.
• 3.  Consistency of taking the herbs and supplements. Taking the supplement or herb once is not going to be beneficial to you for any kind of chronic illness. Usually, herbs and supplements are taken for a minimum of 3 months. Check the label. That label states vital information on how to use the product.
• 4.  How are you taking the supplements and herbs? Herbs can be taken in several forms, such as teas, pills, decoctions, poultices, and powder forms. Be sure to use the correct form for each specific herb. This rule needs to be followed for supplements as well. If the bottle states on an empty stomach, then take the supplement on an empty stomach. If the labeling states three times a day, then that doesn’t mean to take all three pills at once, it means to spread them out throughout the day.

I digress, let me get back to “Nancy”. “Nancy” didn’t get any relief, and it wasn’t from just herbs and supplements. Finally, the light bulb went on. Super simple solution, Stop taking an anti-acid before she took her supplements. In general, anti-acids do the following.

Neutralizing stomach acid: antacids, meaning they primarily react with and neutralize stomach acid. This can provide relief from heartburn, indigestion, and sour stomach by reducing the acidity of the environment where food is initially broken down.
Slowing down digestion. By reducing the stomach's acidity, can slightly slow down the initial stages of digestion. This is because stomach acid plays a role in breaking down certain nutrients, particularly proteins. However, the overall digestive process will continue, just at a slightly slower pace.

This slightly slow digestion was just enough, that she could not get relief from supplements. “Nancy” solution, she stopped taking the supplements with an anti-acid and she found relief and benefits from the herbs and supplements.

Do your research! Follow the instructions on the bottle or which are provided by your health care professional. It isn’t any fun being sick.

"Herbs are friends in the garden, allies in the kitchen, and healers in the sickroom." - Anonymous proverb,