Natural Medicine
Alternative Medicine and Natural Healing
More and more people than ever before are becoming interested in natural medicine and a more natural alternative to drugs and surgery for certain health conditions. The already huge market is ever expanding with everything from essential oil therapy to nutritional supplements.
So, why are so many people choosing alternative medicine, as it is widely known? Or, to be more direct, what is the definition of alternative medicine? Basically, alternative medicine is known simply as a healing practice that does not fit into the defined methods or traditional or allopathic medicine, or conventional western medicine as it is also known.
Everything from “old folk remedies” to “Native American remedies” as well as Homeopathy, Chinese Herbs, Bach Flower Remedies, Acupunture and Chiropractic to name a few would fall into the category of “Alternative Medicine.”
But, what is the meaning of alternative medicine? The fact is that, in actuality, for much of history, what is known today as alternative medicine was simply known as simply medicine. From many of the “medical home remedies” or old fashion home remedies came the basis for many of today’s modern pharmaceuticals. The earliest synthetic drugs were often based on the well-known medicinal properties of common botanicals, flowers and herbs.
There are many different types of alternative medicine available today and there is an ever-growing interest in everything from a homeopathic remedy for arthritis to finding qualified complementary alternative medical practitioners in a particular area. People want to know things like what is the best detoxification program and things like what are the best nutrients for treating and preventing certain conditions.
So many people are becoming interested in how holistic healing works as an alternative to prescribed drugs, many of which treat symptoms rather than deal with the underlying causes of disease. Even prescription drugs that are aimed at eliminating the cause of the ailment have serious side-effects that sometimes outweigh the benefits.
One simple example of alternative medicine in the area of coronary artery disease is the use of garlic in the diet as a supplement. There are numerous clinical studies that can be found that show that Garlic can lower triglycerides, inhibit platelet aggregation, lower blood pressure and more.
Honey was used as a treatment for wounds and raw un-pasteurized honey has wonderful healing qualities including anti-bacterial properties.
So, where did alternative medicine start? Many of the practices that are widely known today have their origins based in ancient cultures from different parts of the world. Some of the oldest healing practices come from Chinese Medicine and Chinese healing herbs and are over 5000 years old. Ayurvedic Medicine from the East also has a history dating back around 6000 years. Hippocrates (c. 460-377 BC), a Greek physician frequently referred to as the Father of Medicine, practiced herbal medicine and was known for saying “let thy medicine be thy food and they food be thy medicine.” (Adam Brenner:Ezine)
Homeopathic Medicine
One of the most popular forms of alternative medicine being practiced in the U.S. today is Homeopathic Medicine. The movement shuns all chemicals and searches for natural substances that can be used to treat a whole host of illnesses and disease. The homeopath takes a holistic approach to treating patients and strives to use your immune system to make you better. The practitioner of homeopathic medicine searches for substances that will stimulate the immune system and force your body to fight back against an invader.
The whole movement is based on what they call the “law of similars.” A homeopath will try to find some natural substance that produces the same type of symptoms their patient is suffering and then administer it in a very low dose. The substance is greatly diluted so that it does not pose any threat and is given to the patient to trigger the immune system into fighting the disorder on its own. There are a number of homeopathic reference books which have been researched for years to find which substances work for different problems.
Since the homeopathic substances that are used are all diluted with water, there is no risk associated with taking them even though some can be quite dangerous. Unlike the chemical drug treatments which are routinely used across the country, the homeopathic remedies have no dangerous side effects. Even ingredients that could potentially be hazardous like arsenic are watered down to be perfectly safe but still effective.
Arsenicum Album is one of the most used of all of the homeopathic remedies. It produces symptoms of exhaustion on its own and is used to treat anemia and infection. It is also used for treatment of food poisoning, other digestive disorders and anxiety. In children, the homeopath will use arsenic to treat fever and diarrhea.
Sulphur is another one of the most popular homeopathic remedies. Since it produces burning and itching when exposed to the skin, using the “law of similars” homeopaths use it to treat these types of symptoms. As is the case with all remedies, it is greatly diluted before used in a treatment. The general rule is one part sulfur to twelve parts water. It is used by homeopaths for cases of psoriasis, eczema, and acne. It is used for digestive disorders and respiratory problems as well.
Phosphorous is in the top five of most used homeopathic remedies because of its ability to treat blood disorders and respiratory issues. Phosphorous poisoning causes these types of problems so the homeopath uses it to treat similar conditions. Sufferers of asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia have reported good results with the phosphorous treatments. Phosphorous also helps to clot the blood and is used to treat nose bleeds and minor hemorrhages.
One of the most prescribed homeopathic remedies is one of the most common substances on earth, water. Drinking several glasses of clean water a day can head off a number of potential health problems including heartburn. It is especially important to drink a lot of water in the morning to avoid acid reflux (Sara Ryan:Ezine)
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