Nature’s Remedies: Why It’s Time to Return to the Healing Power of Plants
Contributed by Alexander Harmon
In today’s world of fast fixes and synthetic pharmaceuticals, many of us have lost touch with one of the oldest and most effective sources of healing: nature. Long before drugstores and lab-made pills, humans turned to the earth for medicine. Plants were our first doctors, and for thousands of years, they provided us with everything we needed to fight disease, ease pain, and support wellness.
Now, across the country — and especially right here in Alaska — there’s a quiet but growing movement: a return to natural remedies. People are waking up to the fact that the healing they need may not come from a prescription bottle, but from the forest floor, a backyard garden, or a well-crafted herbal tea.
Medicine Began with Plants
Nearly every modern medication can trace its roots back to a plant. Aspirin? Derived from willow bark. Morphine? Poppies. Heart medications? The foxglove plant. In fact, more than 50% of pharmaceuticals are based on compounds first found in nature. Over time, many of these healing plants were studied, isolated, and synthesized into the medicines we know today — but the original plant wisdom remains powerful. What’s different now is that more people are realizing natural remedies offer more than symptom control. They offer whole-body support, fewer side effects, and a connection to the land that can be both healing and empowering.
Alaska’s Own Healing Plants
Here in the Last Frontier, we’re surrounded by a rich landscape of wild medicine. Some of the best remedies grow right in our own backyards — we just have to know where to look. One powerful example is Devil’s Club. Often called "Alaska’s ginseng," this spiny, ancient-looking plant has been used for centuries by Indigenous peoples to treat everything from joint pain to lung issues and digestive trouble. It’s a potent anti-inflammatory, immune system supporter, and is even being studied for its potential use in managing blood sugar. Another local healer is Yarrow. With its feathery leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers, Yarrow is a familiar sight in Alaskan summers. It’s known for its wound-healing abilities, used to stop bleeding, reduce inflammation, and promote faster healing of cuts, scrapes, and bruises. It’s also a powerful herb for fever reduction, menstrual discomfort, and even anxiety. These are just two examples. Alaska is home to dozens of medicinal plants, including fireweed, spruce tips, and wild chamomile — each with its own unique healing properties.
The Healing Starts at Home
The most amazing thing? You don’t need to travel far to find medicine. It could be growing right in your own backyard. But natural medicine takes time, observation, and a willingness to learn. It’s not about one-size-fits-all solutions — it’s about understanding which plants help which conditions, and how to use them safely and effectively. At Natures Remedies in Wasilla, they believe that knowledge should be shared. That’s why they are passionate about helping our community reconnect with the plants around them. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already deep into herbal study, we’re here to support you.
The Time Is Now
The world is changing, and with it, our approach to health must change too. Nature isn’t a last resort — it’s a first line of defense. In a time when people are questioning the long-term effects of synthetic drugs, turning back to the earth makes more sense than ever. Our ancestors knew how to work with the land, and that knowledge is still alive — waiting to be rediscovered. Let’s bring that wisdom forward. Let’s reclaim the power of natural healing, one plant, one remedy, and one person at a time.