By: Darren Yates
You probably already know that you're supposed to finish all of your medication when prescribed and get plenty of exercise in order to stay healthy, but did you know that many of the best kept secrets in the medical community have nothing to do with medicine?
In recent years alternative health care (health care that doesn't involve pumping your body full of chemicals that were never supposed to be there) has become increasingly popular as its benefits have begun to be recognized among the medical community, but there are still plenty of things your doctor isn't telling you.
Here are the top 5 alternative health care tips you need to know:
Alternative health care tip #1: Aloe Vera
You probably already know that you can pick up aloe vera lotion at the grocery store to ease a sunburn, but did you know that you can break off a piece of an aloe vera plant and smear the juice over your arm to soothe a grease burn? Aloe vera is one of the most versatile plants in alternative health care history.
Alternative health care tip #2: Acai berry
Okay, you've undoubtedly heard this "miracle" product touted by the scientific and non-scientific community alike, but acai berry definitely has some positive power when it comes to your body. This isn't just another advertising gimmick!
Along with suppressing your appetite and food cravings to help you lose weight-and giving you a great little energy boost in the middle of the day-this cool little berry also acts as an antioxidant to prevent cancer and protect your skin and organs from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Alternative health care tip #3: Chamomile tea
Parents, you're going to love this one. You've been drinking chamomile tea for years to soothe your nerves, but did you know that this alternative health care remedy has actually been shown to be effective in the fight against colic?
Parents in Latin America and Asia have been using this remedy for years to help them sleep at night, and the rest of the world is finally starting to catch on. Just steep one teaspoon of chamomile in hot water for five to ten minutes, then slip your baby a half an ounce every few hours.
Alternative health care tip #4: Acupressure
Stop! Before you go running to the doctor for your latest symptom, why not give acupressure a try? Your body is connected in an intricate web, which means that yes-putting pressure on your hands and feet can in fact influence your nose and back.
There are hundreds of books on the subject, and acupressure has been proven to be an effective alternative health care treatment for stress, headaches, digestive problems, joint pain and a multitude of other disorders by stimulating the body's own natural curative abilities.
Alternative Medicine - When to Use It and When Not
Some of the medical systems and therapies found on the alternative medicine list have been in service for thousands of years, in fact reaching back into prehistoric times to origins unknown. Some of these have remained unchanged for many centuries. Other entities in alternative medicine were a positive answer to the horrific early developments of allopathic medicine as it existed in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Others were the result of accidental discoveries in the relief or cure of certain ailments and health conditions. Modalities in alternative medicine range from highly efficacious to faulty, having no effect whatsoever to downright dangerous to human health. So how do you protect yourself from poor results, alas, life-threatening circumstances coming from the use of alternative medicine?
First, a bit about allopathic medicine.
This is your first step in determining whether alternative medicine is right for you in curing an ailment, pain management or any other health issue. Allopathic medicine has been so named due to its philosophy in treating for symptoms rather than restoring health from focusing on the causes of the ailment. Allopathic medicine is a biomedical entity, meaning it is highly specialized, its treatments are standardized and it is not holistic.
Albeit allopathic medicine holds first prize in having an incredibly large knowledge base about human health and disease. The system is empirically based, is scientific and its procedures rigorously tested. Allopathic medicine does have its dark side however and processes are not always in the best interest of the patient, especially since it is a for-profit industry and would go out of business if disease was eradicated.
An unlikely thing however, allopathic medicine wins the gold metal for its highly technical and effective procedures in medical emergencies and otherwise terminal conditions. Though it is not holistic and can be quite impersonal, the allopathic physician should always be consulted first for any medical condition which can have serious underlying problems.
Is Alternative Medicine No Good?
By all means, a resounding NO! Many medical systems and modalities outside of allopathic medicine are indeed highly efficacious and are great alternatives to the more expensive allopathic therapies and procedures. In non-emergency situations, alternative medicine can often provide equally effective, sometimes even better results without the side effects that often comes with chemical-based therapy.
Your alibi on the determination whether an alternative medicine is effective or is quackery comes from education. Also, what may work for one person may not work for another since each of us are different in our own right. Allopathic medicine has been standardized and through experimentation what a treatment should be is based on what is known to work on most people, caustic as it may be. Alternative medicine is not like this. It is composed of health systems and therapies which are individualized according to the patient and his needs.
Allopathic Medicine and Alternative Health
Though there are many reasons why an alternative health modality may not meet the approval of the American Medical Association (AMA,) the three main reasons are:
Unless a modality has been proven to be a fake or is dangerous, and the health condition is not life threatening, there is little reason why it would be harmful to try it - especially those which have time-tested and have been known to produce positive results. Allopathic medicine does refer patients to complimentary therapy and at times alternative medicine. An example would be complementing or even replacing conventional chemical-based medications with hypnotherapy - a modality that has been proven to work on pain management.
Conclusion:
Alternative medicine can be used with or as a replacement for allopathic medicine if your regular physician deems it proper and you have been cleared of any detrimental underlying health issues. Common sense and education goes a long way. There is a vast quantity of resources out there in just about any health issue and their alternatives. Any modality or alternative medicine that has been around for a long time is probably a good source. They are often more thorough than allopathic medicine, are more personal and based on your individual needs. They focus on your whole being making them holistic.
Top rule here: Always see your regular physician first and follow his advice!
First, a bit about allopathic medicine.
This is your first step in determining whether alternative medicine is right for you in curing an ailment, pain management or any other health issue. Allopathic medicine has been so named due to its philosophy in treating for symptoms rather than restoring health from focusing on the causes of the ailment. Allopathic medicine is a biomedical entity, meaning it is highly specialized, its treatments are standardized and it is not holistic.
Albeit allopathic medicine holds first prize in having an incredibly large knowledge base about human health and disease. The system is empirically based, is scientific and its procedures rigorously tested. Allopathic medicine does have its dark side however and processes are not always in the best interest of the patient, especially since it is a for-profit industry and would go out of business if disease was eradicated.
An unlikely thing however, allopathic medicine wins the gold metal for its highly technical and effective procedures in medical emergencies and otherwise terminal conditions. Though it is not holistic and can be quite impersonal, the allopathic physician should always be consulted first for any medical condition which can have serious underlying problems.
Is Alternative Medicine No Good?
By all means, a resounding NO! Many medical systems and modalities outside of allopathic medicine are indeed highly efficacious and are great alternatives to the more expensive allopathic therapies and procedures. In non-emergency situations, alternative medicine can often provide equally effective, sometimes even better results without the side effects that often comes with chemical-based therapy.
Your alibi on the determination whether an alternative medicine is effective or is quackery comes from education. Also, what may work for one person may not work for another since each of us are different in our own right. Allopathic medicine has been standardized and through experimentation what a treatment should be is based on what is known to work on most people, caustic as it may be. Alternative medicine is not like this. It is composed of health systems and therapies which are individualized according to the patient and his needs.
Allopathic Medicine and Alternative Health
Though there are many reasons why an alternative health modality may not meet the approval of the American Medical Association (AMA,) the three main reasons are:
- It either has not been tested or is not subject to scientific experimentation.
- It has been tested and proven to be faulty, ineffective and/or detrimental in some way.
- It has been tested but the results are unpredictable or is not useful to allopathic medicine.
Unless a modality has been proven to be a fake or is dangerous, and the health condition is not life threatening, there is little reason why it would be harmful to try it - especially those which have time-tested and have been known to produce positive results. Allopathic medicine does refer patients to complimentary therapy and at times alternative medicine. An example would be complementing or even replacing conventional chemical-based medications with hypnotherapy - a modality that has been proven to work on pain management.
Conclusion:
Alternative medicine can be used with or as a replacement for allopathic medicine if your regular physician deems it proper and you have been cleared of any detrimental underlying health issues. Common sense and education goes a long way. There is a vast quantity of resources out there in just about any health issue and their alternatives. Any modality or alternative medicine that has been around for a long time is probably a good source. They are often more thorough than allopathic medicine, are more personal and based on your individual needs. They focus on your whole being making them holistic.
Top rule here: Always see your regular physician first and follow his advice!
Alternative Medicine and Therapy
Alternative health is based predominantly on the 'natural healing model' which uses herbal medicine, diet therapy, orthomolecular medicine, exercise, indigenous therapies, and energy healing to promote health. Alternative therapies may also include anything from aromatherapy, yoga, reiki, hydrotherapy, magnetic therapy, meditation, acupuncture, and many other techniques used by others for thousands of years. Many modern sciences continue to use alternative treatments to complement modern medical treatments. People around the world still use these alternative treatments because they work and have been a cultural tradition.
There is a growing form of Western medicine called Integrated Medicine. This new way of thinking is a great combination of traditional and modern energy healing, and western medicine.
Why is it Called Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
Alternative therapies were the only known treatments prior to the discovery of antibiotics, and other modern medical treatments. Alternative Medicine is the original safe and proven medicine. They provide treatment for people who are dealing with chronic pain and illness.
Some Alternative Medical Systems
Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies involve supplementing a person's diet with additional extracts, nutrients, herbs and/or certain foods. Alternative therapies are non-conventional practices that treat patients using supplements, acupuncture, hypnosis, and many other techniques. Biologically based therapies generally use supplements that include botanicals, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, proteins and probiotics. There have been studies in which scientist are constantly proving that foods, vitamins, and minerals are useful in combating disease such as the broccoli cancer connection or the wine heart attack connection. Also, improved quality and acceptable pricing caused millions of people to turn to biologically based therapies to help them with their health problems.
Mind-Body Based Therapies
Mind-body therapies are a set of interventions that focus on the interplay between emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors and their influence on health. Examples of some of the therapies used include tai chi, reiki, hypnosis, art, movement sound, and music therapy, meditation, and yoga. These therapies utilize various techniques aimed to enhance the mind's capacity to stimulate natural healing, affect bodily functions, and ease symptoms.
Manipulative Body-Based Techniques
Manipulative body-based practices are considered alternative therapies. These techniques include Alexander Technique, Rolfing or Structural Integration, Cranial Sacral, and Chiropractic. These therapies generally focus on the structures and systems of the body, including the bones and joints, the soft tissues, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
There is a growing form of Western medicine called Integrated Medicine. This new way of thinking is a great combination of traditional and modern energy healing, and western medicine.
Why is it Called Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
Alternative therapies were the only known treatments prior to the discovery of antibiotics, and other modern medical treatments. Alternative Medicine is the original safe and proven medicine. They provide treatment for people who are dealing with chronic pain and illness.
Some Alternative Medical Systems
Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies involve supplementing a person's diet with additional extracts, nutrients, herbs and/or certain foods. Alternative therapies are non-conventional practices that treat patients using supplements, acupuncture, hypnosis, and many other techniques. Biologically based therapies generally use supplements that include botanicals, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, proteins and probiotics. There have been studies in which scientist are constantly proving that foods, vitamins, and minerals are useful in combating disease such as the broccoli cancer connection or the wine heart attack connection. Also, improved quality and acceptable pricing caused millions of people to turn to biologically based therapies to help them with their health problems.
Mind-Body Based Therapies
Mind-body therapies are a set of interventions that focus on the interplay between emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors and their influence on health. Examples of some of the therapies used include tai chi, reiki, hypnosis, art, movement sound, and music therapy, meditation, and yoga. These therapies utilize various techniques aimed to enhance the mind's capacity to stimulate natural healing, affect bodily functions, and ease symptoms.
Manipulative Body-Based Techniques
Manipulative body-based practices are considered alternative therapies. These techniques include Alexander Technique, Rolfing or Structural Integration, Cranial Sacral, and Chiropractic. These therapies generally focus on the structures and systems of the body, including the bones and joints, the soft tissues, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Alternative Medicine Techniques For The Modern World
The Western world is generally perceived to be the bringer of modernity, and oftentimes, their particular standard when it comes to certain areas of life, such as medicine for example, is deemed to be the ultimate and absolute measurement for modern living.
In the field of medicine, for example, it has been traditionally perceived that mainstream medical treatments are the only acceptable means for treating patients with several diseases. Lately however, with the growing acceptance of alternative medicine techniques that employ unconventional treatment methods, but are nonetheless proven to have healing capabilities, the Western standard is slowly opening up to these newer treatment techniques.
Alternative medicine techniques refer to certain treatment approaches that deal with an illness from another medicinal approach. For example, these techniques might originate from indigenous and traditional practices and utilize unconventional treatment tools, and have only been recently discovered by modern scientists. Moreover, in the United States, several collected pieces of evidence have proven that these medicine types are effective for several conditions such as neck and back pain, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many more.
Here are some popular examples of these techniques:
The first one is Acupuncture. This alternative technique has long been practiced in China. As a matter of fact, it's already been in use for 2,500 years for treating several diseases and conditions, such as back pain, bone or joint injury, allergies, gout, and even severe headache. This technique is executed by inserting one or more needles in specific areas of the body and in different depths, and are left there for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Many people have since testified that acupuncture is effective and has treated them either incrementally or fully - and the explanation for this is that the needles are inserted in specific areas that coincide with the body's line of energy.
Another alternative technique is the Craniosacral therapy. This was introduced in the 1970s by John Upledger, and is done by exerting mild pressure in certain key areas of the cranial bones, specifically near the skull's sutures. Moreover, this can also be done on the whole body, but the exerted pressure should specifically be mild. With these strategic applications of pressure, CST generally corrects the body's dysfunctions and imbalances that may be contributing factors to painful conditions. Some of the diseases that CST specifically targets include back and neck pain, TMJ dysfunction, orthopedic problems, central nervous system disorders, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
In the field of medicine, for example, it has been traditionally perceived that mainstream medical treatments are the only acceptable means for treating patients with several diseases. Lately however, with the growing acceptance of alternative medicine techniques that employ unconventional treatment methods, but are nonetheless proven to have healing capabilities, the Western standard is slowly opening up to these newer treatment techniques.
Alternative medicine techniques refer to certain treatment approaches that deal with an illness from another medicinal approach. For example, these techniques might originate from indigenous and traditional practices and utilize unconventional treatment tools, and have only been recently discovered by modern scientists. Moreover, in the United States, several collected pieces of evidence have proven that these medicine types are effective for several conditions such as neck and back pain, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many more.
Here are some popular examples of these techniques:
The first one is Acupuncture. This alternative technique has long been practiced in China. As a matter of fact, it's already been in use for 2,500 years for treating several diseases and conditions, such as back pain, bone or joint injury, allergies, gout, and even severe headache. This technique is executed by inserting one or more needles in specific areas of the body and in different depths, and are left there for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Many people have since testified that acupuncture is effective and has treated them either incrementally or fully - and the explanation for this is that the needles are inserted in specific areas that coincide with the body's line of energy.
Another alternative technique is the Craniosacral therapy. This was introduced in the 1970s by John Upledger, and is done by exerting mild pressure in certain key areas of the cranial bones, specifically near the skull's sutures. Moreover, this can also be done on the whole body, but the exerted pressure should specifically be mild. With these strategic applications of pressure, CST generally corrects the body's dysfunctions and imbalances that may be contributing factors to painful conditions. Some of the diseases that CST specifically targets include back and neck pain, TMJ dysfunction, orthopedic problems, central nervous system disorders, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
History of Alternative Medicine
History has it that alternative medicine goes back 5000 years to Chinese traditional medicine, Indian (Ayuryedic medicine) and similar healing traditions in many cultures. The common belief was that the energy of the body had to be in harmony with the mind, body and spirit. A doctor merely facilitated the healing by identifying and taking away obstacles that would inevitably lead to a cure. Therapy included lifestyle changes, self-care and preventative measures.
Today, what we know of as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has roots going back 5,000 years to Chinese (traditional Chinese medicine), Indian (Ayurvedic medicine) and similar healing traditions. For thousands of years, these diverse medical traditions held a belief in the energy of the body and the need for harmony between mind, body and spirit. Doctor's simply facilitated the healing process by identifying and removing obstacles.
Throughout most of the 19th century, doctors used the same skills as today's herbalists, osteopaths and dieticians; they were generous with time and empathy, and relied on a good bedside manner. Prayer was important, as was "a change of air," laxatives, bleeding and leeches. Right up until the early 20th century, sick people relied on much the same kind of therapies as their ancestors.
The decades following the Second World War brought significant changes. As GP and journalist, James Lefanu noted in his book, The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine, written in the 50s, a series of medical breakthroughs proved beyond a doubt that previous attempts at healing were nothing more than mere quackery. New medical breakthroughs included the discovery of penicillin, cortisone (a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine), streptomycin (a powerful antibiotic that is effective in treating tuberculosis), insulin (to treat diabetes) and chlorpromazine (an anti-psychotic that controls schizophrenia). Open-heart surgery, hip replacements, kidney transplants, intensive care and successful vaccination programs saved and improved the quality of countless of millions of lives.
Today, what we know of as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has roots going back 5,000 years to Chinese (traditional Chinese medicine), Indian (Ayurvedic medicine) and similar healing traditions. For thousands of years, these diverse medical traditions held a belief in the energy of the body and the need for harmony between mind, body and spirit. Doctor's simply facilitated the healing process by identifying and removing obstacles.
Throughout most of the 19th century, doctors used the same skills as today's herbalists, osteopaths and dieticians; they were generous with time and empathy, and relied on a good bedside manner. Prayer was important, as was "a change of air," laxatives, bleeding and leeches. Right up until the early 20th century, sick people relied on much the same kind of therapies as their ancestors.
The decades following the Second World War brought significant changes. As GP and journalist, James Lefanu noted in his book, The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine, written in the 50s, a series of medical breakthroughs proved beyond a doubt that previous attempts at healing were nothing more than mere quackery. New medical breakthroughs included the discovery of penicillin, cortisone (a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine), streptomycin (a powerful antibiotic that is effective in treating tuberculosis), insulin (to treat diabetes) and chlorpromazine (an anti-psychotic that controls schizophrenia). Open-heart surgery, hip replacements, kidney transplants, intensive care and successful vaccination programs saved and improved the quality of countless of millions of lives.
Herbal Alternative Medicine - With No Toxic Side Effects
Our fast and technical life is taking us away from the womb of nature. We are nature's product and if we will move from it or do something against it, we cannot live a happy life. Earlier we used to eat healthy, drink healthy and live healthy. But now due to our busy life we are switching towards ready made products. Similar thing happening in medicines also where we are favoring allopathic medication due to easy to take and instant relief qualities. But then we are facing their negative effects also.
The best way to escape from such harm and live healthy life is to adopt alternative herbal medicine with no toxic side effects. These medicines include home made products, herbs, plants, spices, fruits and vegetables etc. These home remedies are easy to prepare and very safe and effective. Basically the natural substances present in these products in the form of alkaloids, enzymes, minerals, essential oils, etc have medicinal properties. These substances have capacity to intake inorganic substances from surroundings and convert them into life supporting ingredients.
When these elements enter in our body they themselves find the natural receptors to reach o the affected site to bring back balance through eliminating foreign substance. Unlike conventional medicines no synthetic receptors are added so as to negate their original effect. Some of the examples of the herbal alternative medicines are-
• It has been confirmed by studies that a particular species of Aloe Vera is very effective in treating constipation. It increases faecal volume by enhancing intestinal mobility.
• Ginger used in daily diet as a spice is a natural herb which generates warmth in body. It regulates body temperature and maintains proper digestion by detoxifying food poisons.
• Bacopa, an herb, has been proved very useful in boosting up memory in adults.
• Amla, a pale yellow fruit has digestive, carminative and anti pyretic properties. It is helpful in various diseases like migraine, hemorrhages, jaundice etc.
• Neem, sarva rog nivarak, as it is considered has large medicinal value. Its oil is added in shampoos, lotions, face wash, tooth paste etc.
• Vitamin D supplements provide protection against various respiratory disorders like bronchitis, sinusitis, cold flu, pneumonia etc.
• Tulsi along with being worshipped can treat gastric disturbances and can also be applies in ring worms.
The doses of these alternative herbal medicines should be taken under strict supervision. Whatever dose is prescribed to adults, half of it should be given to child. It should be taken 3-4 times in a day. If you do not get any relief after three days dose that means your body is not responding and you need to consult a doctor for that. Herbal medicines are mainly bitter in taste but if it becomes unbearable then and you feel like vomiting then just leave it, because it is an indication that body is not accepting it.
The best way to escape from such harm and live healthy life is to adopt alternative herbal medicine with no toxic side effects. These medicines include home made products, herbs, plants, spices, fruits and vegetables etc. These home remedies are easy to prepare and very safe and effective. Basically the natural substances present in these products in the form of alkaloids, enzymes, minerals, essential oils, etc have medicinal properties. These substances have capacity to intake inorganic substances from surroundings and convert them into life supporting ingredients.
When these elements enter in our body they themselves find the natural receptors to reach o the affected site to bring back balance through eliminating foreign substance. Unlike conventional medicines no synthetic receptors are added so as to negate their original effect. Some of the examples of the herbal alternative medicines are-
• It has been confirmed by studies that a particular species of Aloe Vera is very effective in treating constipation. It increases faecal volume by enhancing intestinal mobility.
• Ginger used in daily diet as a spice is a natural herb which generates warmth in body. It regulates body temperature and maintains proper digestion by detoxifying food poisons.
• Bacopa, an herb, has been proved very useful in boosting up memory in adults.
• Amla, a pale yellow fruit has digestive, carminative and anti pyretic properties. It is helpful in various diseases like migraine, hemorrhages, jaundice etc.
• Neem, sarva rog nivarak, as it is considered has large medicinal value. Its oil is added in shampoos, lotions, face wash, tooth paste etc.
• Vitamin D supplements provide protection against various respiratory disorders like bronchitis, sinusitis, cold flu, pneumonia etc.
• Tulsi along with being worshipped can treat gastric disturbances and can also be applies in ring worms.
The doses of these alternative herbal medicines should be taken under strict supervision. Whatever dose is prescribed to adults, half of it should be given to child. It should be taken 3-4 times in a day. If you do not get any relief after three days dose that means your body is not responding and you need to consult a doctor for that. Herbal medicines are mainly bitter in taste but if it becomes unbearable then and you feel like vomiting then just leave it, because it is an indication that body is not accepting it.
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