Hello friend,
I hope this note finds you well and curious. Today, I want to share something special from The Diary of a CEO podcast. In this episode, Steven Bartlett speaks with Simon Mills—one of the world’s leading experts in herbal medicine.
Why this matters? Because health is often treated with quick fixes and pills, but Mills reminds us that nature has always offered deep healing. With nearly 50 years of clinical practice, he explains how plants can support our bodies in ways modern medicine often ignores.
Let’s dive in.
🌿 Podcast Summary: The Diary of a CEO — 5 Natural Medicines Big Pharma Are Hiding From You! With Simon Mills
Core Themes & Concerns
Overprescription of Pharmaceuticals
Omeprazole (PPIs): Most prescribed drug in the UK/US for acid reflux. Long-term use linked to serious risks (cancers, dementia) and severe withdrawal dependency.
Antibiotics: Overuse drives antibiotic resistance—a "frightening" global health threat (1.27M deaths in 2019, rising). 30% of US prescriptions are unnecessary.
Ibuprofen/NSAIDs: Mask inflammation (a natural defense mechanism) without addressing root causes.
Critique of Modern Medicine
Suppressing symptoms (like inflammation) ignores underlying issues.
Urbanization disconnected humans from plant-based wisdom once managed by herbalists.
Profit-driven pharma prioritizes pills over holistic health.
🌱 Medicinal Plants & Alternatives Discussed
Plant/Remedy | Key Benefits | Usage/Notes |
---|---|---|
Ginger + Cinnamon | Fights colds/viruses, boosts circulation, reduces pain (joints, cramps). | Grate thumb-sized ginger + 1 tsp cinnamon in hot water. Warming effect. |
Garlic | “Russian penicillin”; raw form = strong prebiotic/antibiotic. Kills pathogens. | Swallow 8 cloves (chopped) over 4 hours for infections. |
Dark Chocolate (75%+ cocoa) | Boosts brain & heart health. Improves blood flow in minutes. | 50g/day as medicine. Avoid sugary variants. |
Echinacea | Immune booster for throat/sinus infections. | Tincture tingles, activating immune cells. |
Turmeric/Curcumin | Anti-inflammatory, supports microbiome. | Best via food + black pepper. Avoid high-dose supplements. |
Green Tea/Matcha | Brain & heart health. Rich in polyphenols. | Drink daily; matcha stronger. |
Rosemary | Boosts memory/cognition. | Inhale oils or cook with it. |
Bitters (Dandelion, Artichoke) | Liver support, lower cholesterol, aid digestion. | Artichoke leaf juice flushes bile; dandelion tea. |
Other Notables: Cardamom (digestion), Hawthorne (heart health), Slippery Elm/Aloe Vera (acid reflux relief).
🔑 Critical Health Insights
Gut Microbiome is Central: Governs immunity, inflammation, brain health, metabolism. Antibiotics destroy diversity. Eat 30+ plant types/week to nourish microbiome. Purple foods (berries, beetroot) are especially powerful.
Inflammation is a Friend: Heals injuries. Chronic inflammation = gut/diet issues. NSAIDs suppress this defense.
Sugar & Insulin Resistance: Drives PCOS, infertility, diabetes. Keto can help regulate. Modern sugar overload is harmful.
Cancer Prevention: Rooted in diet. Cut processed meats/sugar. Boost plant diversity. Herbs aid chemo recovery.
🌿 Dr. Mills’ Philosophy
Mission: Help people “build a better boat” with resilience from plants aligned with human evolution.
Approach: Treat causes (gut/liver dysfunction) not just symptoms. Plants work fast and individually.
Critique: UK/US/Canada/Australia/NZ often reject herbal medicine, while Europe/Asia embrace it.
✨ Key Takeaways
Swap antibiotics for colds with ginger/cinnamon/garlic.
Skip Omeprazole; try slippery elm or aloe for reflux.
Eat purple foods to boost circulation and brain power.
Spices > Supplements: whole plants outperform isolates.
For chronic issues, fix gut health first.
💬 Dr. Mills’ final wisdom:
“Reconnect with people and nature—that’s the antidote to a frightening world. Health is about trusting your body’s inner miracle.”
Take care,
Ahammed Yousuf