Alternative Medicine Therapies- an overview

Many people are not aware that they could benefit from natural remedies to recover from an illness or to simply enhance their well-being, mood and happiness. many people simply rely on traditional medicine in spite of all their side-effects. Alternative medicine (or Complementary and Alternative Medicine; CAM) refers to methods employed by some people who believe in healing naturally rather than making use of the conventional medicine. Alternative medicine existed before traditional medicine, and had been used for centuries. CAM includes the use of health and medical systems, products and practices.

Natural medicine Vs traditional medicine

Alternative medicine is a way of healing the whole body (holistic medicine), rather than parts of it and uses natural methods to do so. The advantage of doing this is that it aims to achieve optimum health. Methods include aromatherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal remedies.

Alternative Medicine Statistics

The National Health Interview Survey conducted in 2007 shows that approximately 38% of people use CAM in the US. It also showed that 12.7% of adults use deep-breathing techniques, 9.4% meditate, 6.1% practice yoga. The numbers keep growing as there is more awareness.

Mind Body Medicine

Mind body medicine is built on the study about the effects of the brain on physical functioning i.e. the way the brain interacts with the body and the resultant behaviour. Mind-body remedies include Meditation and Yoga. Meditation consists of postures and concentration and Yoga includes postures, breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation techniques.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture makes use of needles inserted into specific points of the body believed to improve health and well-being. It is the most common Chinese medicine. Research found that acupuncture reduces nausea after chemotherapy and surgery and also reduces pain.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies consists of principles and beliefs that diseases could be treated with dilute doses of certain substances which give rise to the symptoms in healthy people. Hahnemann proposed a theory that if a substance caused disease symptoms in a healthy person, then small amounts healed a sick person. Substances are diluted in several steps with the belief that this transmits a form of energy to the diluted substance. The imprint will make the body heal itself

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy makes use of oils to treat several physical, emotional and cognitive conditions. The oils are may be made up of leaves, flowers, herbs, stems and capture the pure essence of the plant to cure people. They are also used to reduce stress and provide well-being in people. These oils may be massaged or inhaled. The inhaled types form part of the aromatherapy scents. The most popular is Lavender aromatherapy.

Natural Herbal Medicine

Herbal remedies have been made use of in several cultures and for many centuries. Herbs are used to treat disease and illness such as digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems as well as skin problems due to the anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory properties of these herbs. Please note that one should make adequate research about certain herbs s/he’d like to take, and consult their physician before taking anything due to certain side-effects they might have on the person.

Herbs can be taken in a several of forms which include oils, tinctures, tonics, and teas

Herbal tincture consists of very concentrated extract put in alcohol.

Herbal salves are herbal skin remedies and are used in skin infections, and are effective in treating acne or skin irritations. They come in the form of paste, cream or lotion

Herbal tonics consist of herbs that may treat disease, restore balance and provide well-being

In my next hubs I will be talking about the natural remedies in more detail and tackling them individually. Enjoy!