Do Drugs Really Cure? Nature's True Restorative Power

While specific medical treatments must be evaluated by their results on the human machinery, the foundational truth remains that nature alone is the effectual restorer of health4aSG 134.1+1. The assertion that drugs never cure is based on the fact that they merely change the form and location of a disease rather than removing its cause, often leaving behind a bitter harvest of poisonous effects15MR 275.1+2. True health is promoted by cooperating with the divine purpose through the use of nature's simple agencies—pure air, sunlight, water, and proper diet—which aid the body without the deadly aftereffects of drug medicationCH 169.2+2.

The Nature of Drugs and Healing

• Drugs and the Vital Force: When poisonous drugs are introduced, they often appear to bring relief because nature uses its remaining vital force to expel the poison while simultaneously trying to correct the conditions that caused the illnessCH 89.1.

• Changing Disease Form: Drug medication often seems to overcome a symptom for a time, but the results remain in the system, frequently reappearing later as skin diseases, painful joints, or more dangerous ailmentsCH 89.1+1.

• Nature as the Restorer: It is a mistake to credit a physician or a drug with a cure when, in reality, health is recovered in spite of the drug because nature struggled successfully to preserve lifeCH 89.1+1.

• The Law of Cause and Effect: Many seek a quick remedy to rid themselves of pain without any thought of making a change in the unhealthful habits that caused the disease in the first place2SM 442.4+1.

God's Appointed Remedies

• The Eight Natural Physicians: God’s physicians are pure air, pure water, proper exercise, a clear conscience, sunlight, rest, and a healthful diet2SM 281.3+2.

• Simple Agencies: While the power to heal belongs solely to the Great Healer, He sanctions the use of simple agencies of nature, such as the application of a lump of figs or washing in water, to assist the recovery process Isaiah 38:21+1CH 30.3+1.

• Cleansing vs. Clogging: Christ’s remedies are designed to cleanse the system, whereas drug medication often clogs the fine, beautiful arrangements of the body and weakens its machinery16MR 247.3+1.

• Preventative Knowledge: If people would become intelligent regarding their own bodily necessities and follow the laws of health, sickness would be rare, as an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure20MR 1.8+1.

Spiritual and Physical Health

• The Root of Sin and Sickness: The only ultimate remedy for the sins and sorrows that curse society is the gospel of Christ's grace, which alone can eradicate selfishness and regenerate the heartCCh 314.4+1.

• Restoration through Faith: For those who are disheartened or suffering, the sure remedy includes faith, prayer, and work, trusting that God’s infinite love and compassion never wearySS 86.6+2.

• The Divine Remedy for Sin: The atonement of Christ is the divine remedy intended not just for pardon, but for the restoration of spiritual health and the development of a righteous character6BC 1074.2+1.

...another medicine is tried, and then another. Thus the evil continues. People need to be taught that drugs do not cure disease. It is true that they sometimes afford present relief, and the patient appears to recover as the result of their use; this is because nature has sufficient vital force to expel the poison and to correct the conditions that caused the disease. Health is recovered in spite of the drug. But in most cases the drug only changes the form and location of the disease. Often the effect of the poison seems to be overcome for a time, but the results remain in the syst...— CH 89.1 (1923)

Drugs never cure disease. They only change its form and location. Nature alone is the effectual restorer, and how much better can she perform her task if left to herself! But this privilege is seldom allowed her. If crippled nature bears up under the load, and finally accomplishes in a measure her double task, and the patient lives, the credit is given to the physician. But if nature fails in her effort to expel the poison from the system, and the patient dies, it is called a wonderful dispensation of Providence. If the patient had taken a course to relieve overburdened nature in season, and understandingly used pure, soft water, this dispensation of drug mortality might have been wholly averted. The use of water can accomplish but little, if the patient does not realize the necessity of stric...— RH September 5, 1899, par. 4 (1851)

... came seeing.” John 9:7. The cure could be wrought only by the power of the Great Healer, yet Christ made use of the simple agencies of nature. While He did not give countenance to drug medication, He sanctioned the use of simple and natural remedies— CH 30.3 (1923)

...actice of taking drugs sin against their intelligence and endanger their whole afterlife. There are herbs that are harmless, the use of which will tide over many apparently serious difficulties. But if all would seek to become intelligent in regard to their bodily necessities, sickness would be rare instead of common. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure— 20MR 1.8 (1993)

...ne, beautiful arrangements of God. The drugs administered to the sick do not restore, but destroy. Drugs never cure. Instead, they place in the system seeds which bear a very bitter harvest— 16MR 247.3 (1990)

May you find peace and strength in following the simple path of health that the Lord has graciously provided for our protection and restoration Matthew 11:28-30ChS 107.1.