The Amish way of life is well-documented, and it’s notoriously traditional and untainted.
In an ironic twist of fortune, its simplicity is often what confuses the vast majority of modern society the most.
It’s widely known that the Amish tend to keep to themselves and are wary of external practices and advancements. Nevertheless, their community remains vital and thriving, and their overall health is far better than one might expect.
Because they’re reluctant to adopt modern-day conveniences, you'd be entirely justified in wondering if that means they don't believe in or make use of modern Western medical amenities.
So how do they keep themselves healthy? Are there any Amish health secrets they’ve been hoarding for centuries?
How do Amish views on medicine affect Amish health practices?
Let's explore some of the most interestingly effective Amish health secrets.
What this article covers:
How Do Amish People Stay Healthy into Old Age?
It’s no secret that the Amish are reluctant to adopt new techniques and technology simply for the sake of progress, preferring instead to stick with what’s tried and tested in their own community.
However, even without the advantages of modern medicine, Amish people have a higher-than-average life expectancy. What’s more, they consistently have fewer cases of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Good and healthy habits are the ultimate Amish health secrets. Although, if you ask an Amish person, they’ll tell you that good health is a gift from God. They believe that medicine can help a person, but only God can heal them.
So what are the Amish health secrets that keep them in such good shape?
Let’s have a look.
An Overall Healthy Lifestyle
The Amish typically live and work on farms. But, they don’t use modern farm equipment. That means they do all the hard physical work by hand.
So, the Amish have a healthy habit of constantly exercising and moving around. Every doctor agrees that this is one of the best things you can do to stay in shape and keep the body healthy.
What’s more, with all that work outdoors, they are constantly exposed to a healthy dose of clean, fresh air which also does wonders for the body.
In addition, manual labor is the cornerstone of Amish culture. Not only are the Amish farmers, but they also invest time in making furniture such as under-bed storage baskets, bicycle baskets, and wicker storage baskets for shelves.
Plus, we can’t forget one of the major Amish health secrets for keeping moving. The Amish don’t permit the use of motor vehicles in their communities. So that means they don’t jump in the car to go to the shops, but instead choose the healthier option of walking.
When their journey is too long to walk, they opt for a horse and buggy. They produce less toxic emissions than cars into the air, so the air quality is better than in other places. This creates a double bonus for the Amish community's health.
No Smoking
It’s well-known that smoking isn’t good for you. The Amish are also aware of this knowledge.
Tobacco use is pretty uncommon amongst Amish people. And because tobacco contributes to cancer, it's no surprise that there are fewer cases of cancer in Amish communities.
This is one of the Amish health secrets that we can all adopt to improve the quality and longevity of our lives.
Good Genes
Here we have one of the more exclusive Amish health secrets that unfortunately we can’t all enjoy.
A 2017 study found that many people in the Berne Amish community in Indiana are carriers of a particular gene (SERPINE1). In the study, people with this gene showed signs of delayed aging and no signs of diabetes.
Moreover, reports say that carriers of this gene live an average of 10 years longer than those without it.
What’s more, this gene is actually extremely rare in the general US population. This may be explained by the fact that Amish people tend to marry and have children within their communities. Although this keeps their gene pool limited, in this case, it has certainly paid off.
Family Support and Care
The Amish are known for their emphasis on community-orientated living and value the importance of family. But did you know that the Amish care for elderly members of their families?
When an elderly person becomes sick, or unable to take care of themselves, other members of their family will become their primary carers. They do not move into residential care homes.
Many studies have shown the positive impact of being in a familiar environment and staying close to people you know during this stage of life. It’s said that those who move into residential homes deteriorate quickly, however, those who stay at home don’t.
Once again, we see another one of the simple Amish health secrets based upon traditional Amish values.
How Do Amish People Treat Common Illnesses?
Here we see natural medicine as the base for most cures and remedies for common illnesses in the Amish community. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting cures.
Hearing Loss
You might have heard of an Amish hearing loss remedy, but what is it exactly?
The Amish treat hearing loss with a range of antioxidants. They include gingko biloba, vitamin B12, magnesium, and zinc. It’s sometimes known as the “Amish Miracle Cure”.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why the Amish have perfect hearing, it’s not quite as hyperbolic as you’d think.
While some studies suggest that these natural substances may help with hearing loss, no clinical trials have proven them to be effective yet.
Acid Reflux
There’s an old-fashioned Amish cure for acid reflux that is still used today by many people in America and Europe. It’s completely natural and helps the body deal with heartburn, acid reflux, gas, and indigestion.
It was first used by the Amish when they lived in Europe and has stayed popular ever since they left for America.
It is made up of unfiltered raw apple cider vinegar, juice from ginger plants, and natural garlic juice. All ingredients are organic and the product is salt and gluten-free.
Companies that sell it today claim it acts as an almost immediate relief for acid reflux. People who have used it also seem to be happy with the results.
Baby Care
Just like many other women around the world, Amish women usually breastfeed their newborn babies. However, sometimes the mother cannot breastfeed or doesn’t want to, so instead turns to formula.
Keep in mind, although Amish baby formula is an option they may use from time to time, some experts suggest that homemade baby formula can harm your baby. Always check with a healthcare professional before using homemade formulas.
COVID-19
During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the world got used to seeing half a person’s face and reading signs such as “no mask, no entry”. However, the practice was famously controversial, and many people still question the medical validity and wisdom of wearing a face mask as a means of combatting COVID-19.
So, why aren't the Amish wearing masks? Similar to many Americans, they were reluctant to wear face masks for religious and cultural reasons.
They have a history of persecution by outsiders, particularly the state. This has created a sense of distrust, particularly when state mandates begin to infringe upon their rights as a religious community. This is one of the main reasons the Amish didn’t comply with the government-mandated mask rule.
What’s more, the Amish have a tendency to minimize problems where possible to project an image of strength and contentment. They’re the ultimate symbol of “keep calm and carry on”.
As a result, they didn’t wear face masks to prevent panic and maintain stability within their communities.
The Amish tend to favor alternative medicine over western medicine. Treating COVID-19 was no exception. Onions and garlic were used to treat symptoms, and prayer was used to bring an individual back to health. However, some Amish did go to the hospital when necessary.
Conclusion
It’s clear to see that the Amish live long, healthy lives due to their Amish health secrets.
Unsurprisingly, we find that good health comes down to keeping physically active, being close to friends and family members, and not engaging in harmful activities such as smoking.
But the Amish have an edge. They have excellent genes that delay aging and protect against diabetes. What’s more, their unique recipes for hearing loss and acid reflux may also contribute to their good health.
The Amish are Christians and have strong religious affiliations. Therefore they believe that God is responsible for their health. If an Amish person gets sick, friends and family will pray for them.
They also treat many ailments and illnesses with alternative medicine. Natural recipes have recently become more popular in the western world, so perhaps the Amish are onto something.
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