This morning I saw that the hashtag #naturalimmunity has been censored by Instagram. And by censored, I mean completely shut down: inaccessible.
Instagram’s explanation is that there was some questionable information shared in accounts using this hashtag, but isn’t that the case for all hashtags? Search any hashtag and you’ll find random garbage that has nothing to do with the topic implied by the tag. And isn’t it the responsibility of a rational human to sift the wheat from the chaff? Why do we need Instagram to do that for us? Why can’t we see the posts and decide for ourselves what we’ll incorporate or what our research suggests is dross?
The problem is that this hashtag had millions of fabulous resources linked to it. Millions of ideas to help people kickstart their journey to improving their immunity naturally. And millions of ways for people to start taking their health into the own hands.
If you’re in the habit of checking in on specific hashtags, you’ll find this one is no longer useful to find out things such as:
- That forest bathing has been found to improve immune function.
- That garlic is great for combating the common cold.
- That elderberry eases upper respiratory symptoms.
- That sun exposure and exercise bestow a plethora of health benefits.
- That lavender has a profound impact on the central nervous system: improving sleep, reducing discomfort and easing tension.
- That there are natural ways to ease nausea, improve arthritis outcomes, cope with PMS, relieve headaches, fend off fever, fight infections and so on ad infinitum…
While it’s not wise to rely on a social media company to provide us with information about health and wellness, the truth is that many of us enjoy the education that comes from various accounts here and while #naturalimmunity is just one hashtag, removing everything related to it is kind of like scrubbing the bookshelf of an author we don’t agree with.
My tip: invest in a handful of reputable natural health reference books. You just can’t be sure that any kind of internet search is going to produce comprehensive results or accurate information and it’s worth having the works of reputable authors in your hands.
Added benefits of real books: you can scribble in them, you don’t need to take an hour’s break from them before going to sleep (as is recommended after using a screen), you can pass them along to friends, you can reference them any time day or night without being reliant on an internet connection or battery power.
Have you got a few books in your health library? Share your favourites with us!
