All OTC's are not alike

1.    Blog about how you think about “conventional” vs. “natural” OTC healthcare products and what the distinctions are between them.  How do you refer to them—what do you call them?  What are the characteristics/traits found in each type?  How can you tell if an OTC healthcare product is “conventional” vs. “natural”?  Is it easy/difficult to tell—what specific clues do you look for?  

-I think of conventional as advil, tylenol, robitusson type products.  Things that contain chemicals and I call them medicine.  Natural products are more along the lines of vitamins and contain less chemicals.  I typically call them by their product name.  I think it's easy to tell based on which aisle the product is located in in the store, as well as it's packaging and things the packaging says, i.e. all natural, etc.

2.    Using Google Images (or any other image source) choose & post 2 images:  the first one should illustrate how you FEEL about “natural” OTC healthcare products, and the second one should illustrate how you FEEL about “conventional” OTC healthcare products.  Explain why you chose each image, what they reflect about your feelings, comparing/contrasting the images to each other. 

I chose this image for natural because it's clean, crisp, clear and from nature.

This imagine depicts conventional OTC healthcare products because they are strong and powerful.  There's nothing natural about them but they get the job done.

3.    Thinking specifically about non-conventional OTC healthcare products (i.e. the “natural” type), what do you find interesting/appealing about them?  What benefits do they offer you—and are they short-term, long-term, or both (explain)?  Overall, what are the advantages of “natural” OTC products over “conventional” OTC products—what concerns/issues do they try to address?

-I like them because I think they are healthier for me in the long term because there are less chemicals.  In the short term, I feel better about the product I'm putting in my body.  Overall, the advantages of natural is that there are less chemicals which is better for my body.  I think natural products to a better job as preventative care, whereas once I'm sick, I want to heavier conventional products because for me personally, they tend to work faster.

4.    How/where/from whom did you first hear about “natural” OTC products?  Did you ever actively seek to learn more, & what were all your resources/influences?  What initially drew your attention to “natural” OTC products—be specific, was it a recommendation, claim, ingredient, etc.?  Did you have any concerns—was there anything that made you hesitate or hold back from trying them—if so, what/why?

- I clearly remember a health food store that I went into that was all natural.  I didn't actively seek to learn more, but they are so prevalent on tv, in magazines, etc. that I felt like they were everywhere.  They drew my attention because I automatically associate the word natural with healthier, which is always a good thing.  I didn't have any concerns.

a.    Tell me about the very 1st “natural” OTC healthcare product/s you ever purchased/used—what was it, why did you choose this one?  From where did you purchase it?  Try to recall what specific fact/s or piece of info became the “tipping point” encouraging you to buy it.  How did it work out?

- I was having bad heartburn everyday and didn't feel good about taking conventional medicine so frequently.  After doing some research online, I found a blog where people swore by a particular natural otc product to help with this issue.  I tried it because I was desperate and it worked very well, I still use it to this day.

5.    Blog about your current experiences with “natural” OTC healthcare products (which could include Adult Nutritional Supplements, Cold/Allergy/Sinus Remedies, Nasal Care/Congestion Remedies, Cough/Throat Drops, Oral/Topical Pain Relievers, Digestive Health &/or Sleeping Aids or others).  For EACH one…

a.    Which specific “natural” products/brands do you use? Post pics of them!

-I'm currently using Nature's Bounty vitamin D.

b.    When/why do you use it—for what specific symptoms? 

-I don't have symptoms, but I had a blood test done and found that my vitamin D levels were low, so I now take it daily to increase my levels.

c.     How is it used relative to “conventional” OTC products—used as a substitute/replacement, in addition, alternating...?

-I think this is separate to any conventional OTC products - I'm not aware of a conventional product that provides this support.

d.    Is it (are they) meeting your expectations—why/why not?

-Yes, my levels have increased