October 24, 2008
In the midst of all the alternative medicine treatments that you've heard about recently, you may have noticed aromatherapy mentioned a few times. Many dismiss the idea of using scents to bring medical results as quackery, and that's understandable in many ways. There's a lot of information about aromatherapy that comes from people who speak about it based on their spiritual beliefs and a paucity of information that comes from detailed medical studies. As a medical treatment in Western nations, it's still a little new, so there's still much to learn about it. Let's take a look at some of the ways that aromatherapy does help people so you know how to better incorporate it into your life.
As A Medical Practice
The basis of aromatherapy comes from the use of essential oils, which are taken from plants using distilling processes, resulting in concentrated liquids that are often very fragrant. In France, where aromatherapy is used in concert with traditional medical practices, but it's for the antiseptic properties of the essential oils more than anything. In France, essential oils are sometimes prescribed and administered by a physician to target harmful organisms that might lead to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
If you're wondering where the "aroma" part of aromatherapy comes in, there are traditional medical practices in the United States in which the scents of various compounds result in an alleviation of symptoms of illness. The approach most people are familiar with is the use of things such as Vicks VapoRub or Halls cough drops to help drain clogged sinuses and throats. Aromatic chemicals such as menthol and eucalyptus bring an alleviation of those symptoms, which are often associated with colds.
As Stress Therapy
When you start to venture out of such applications and begin to talk about alleviating stress with aromatherapy, then you start to get into ideas that come less from observed scientific evidence than from common theories. Aromatherapy is often suggested as a way to reduce symptoms of stress in people and for other effects. For instance, basil oil is often suggested to ease the effects of depression and to help you to focus, while lavender is used for relaxation.
Although many of these supposed effects aren't determined through scientific study, it's easy enough to notice that pleasant scents can make people feel cheerier. In that respect, it wouldn't hurt to practice a little aromatherapy at home; at best, it really will help and at worst, you still end up surrounded by enjoyable scents. So, whether you're using it for medical purposes or just to relax, aromatherapy offers something for you.
More health information can be found at BroadcastArchives.net Health Blog. There are also informative health videos at Broadcastarchives.net/health
September 2, 2008
Modern medicine relies heavily on surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy in treating cancer.. For all of us who have gone through these devastating treatments, we all look for alternative medicines to treat our symptoms and to rebuild our natural health..
It cannot be denied that modern medicine has come a long way in the treatment and management of many forms of cancer. Our knowledge and treatment of these maladies is far in advance of what was common practice of years past, however, we have a long way to go before cancer is 100% curable. Unfortunately cancer is taking on different forms and is increasing in regularity throughout the worlds population.
There is little hope provided by modern medicine for those suffering from terminal cases , nor is there much in the way of research in prevention which shows immanent clear direction. A very concerning question is being asked “Is our modern farming and food processing technology along with higher levels of pollution greatly influencing the spread of cancer”?
Many of us believe the alternative medicine for cancer can best be found in altering our diets and to include other herbal remedies that are known to assist in regeneration of the body as well as in pain management giving sufferers a moré holistic approach to both prevention and the cure of cancer.
Alternative Medicine for Cancer Prevention
It is well known that adequate fiber content helps to prevent cancers of the digestive tract. Holistic nutrition using coarse grain and unrefined flour are therefore useful forms of alternative medicine for cancer containment. Traditional medicine also has dietary supplements based on the husks of cereals which help to keep bowel movement in good order. It is worth following principles of alternative medicine for cancer prevention if malignancies of the colon and surrounding areas are likely.
Similarly, there are herbal extracts available which help cancerous lesions developing in the liver. The vitamins, minerals, enzymes and elements found in fresh organic fruits and vegetables are known to be the building blocks and the repair kit of the human body It is therefore worthwhile to use alternative medicine for cancer management of vital organs in a pro-active way.
Alternative Medicine for Cancer Management near Termination
As the population of the world becomes more aware of he symptoms of cancer and a general understanding of how to prevent there onset along with timely detection should prevent every case of cancer from reaching a stage at which it can no longer be arrested, but unfortunately medical science is yet to reach the plane from which all patients can be cured effectively. Patients may have to spend considerable periods in terminal and progressive stages of eventually fatal illness.
Thankfully, today more and more people are understanding that essential nutrition and pain management are key considerations to make the final days of a terminally ill patient as comfortable as possible. Alternative medicine for cancer has important applications in this tragic but sometimes inescapable context. Nutrition powders and fluid extracts can be used on patients who are too unwell to enjoy normal meals, while topical preparations can be used with modern drugs to deal with distressing pain.
There are also some unsubstantiated claims of alternative medicine for cancer containment or reversal, which patients and their relatives may like to try when modern methods offer no further hope. Some patients are known to have exceeded the prognoses for their malignant conditions by long periods using alternative medicine for cancer.
August 25, 2008
Diabetics should look after their feet ( Alternative Medicine )
It is confirmed that the health of diabetic patient’s feet is very important and any injury or bruise, the size of a spot may cause problems right down to the bone and cause gangrene, so diabetics should take care of their feet from shoes to socks and nails to heels. Experts stated at a press conference that for diabetics the most vulnerable organ is their feet. The feet are the organs which are most exposed so when the flow of blood slows at the feet they start to lose sensitivity. An expert claims that even a little bruise might leave the feet more vulnerable to future injuries so diabetics should protect their feet:
”Your feet should be washed every night with warm water, be dried thoroughly and moisturised. After sports and walking, the underside of the feet should be checked with a mirror to ensure there are no bruises. Socks musn’t be too big or too small, musn’t be scrunched up or torn. Shoes should be made from soft leather, with smooth inside and not pointed or tapered at the front. Toe nails should be cut short. Nails should be cut straight across, not rounded.” ( Alternative Medicine )
Experts warn that if diabetic people don’t take these warnings seriously and don’t follow these guidelines they may lose their feet or legs, “treatment is too difficult and lengthy. If injuries don’t heal properly, even a little bruise the size of a spot can reach the bone and become gangrene and can cause loss of toes or whole feet.
August 24, 2008
JUST AS MAINSTREAM MEDICINE has a fairly consistent approach to illness, so does al-ternative medicine. Most prevalent in alternative medicine are the six naturopathic principles. In one form or another, these principles are revisited again and again throughout Section Two of this text. The following principles are described by Dr. Catherine Downey and excerpted from her chapter on naturopathic medicine.
1. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis medicatix naturae)
The body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent: nature heals through the response of the life force. The physician's role is to facilitate and augment this process, to act to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment. In short, give the body the appropriate tools and it will heal itself.
2. Treat the Whole Person (The multifactorial nature of health and disease)
Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, involving a complex interaction of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors. The physician must treat the whole person by taking all of these factors into account. The harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual is essential to recovery from and prevention of disease and requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
3. First Do No Harm (Primum no nocere)
Illness is a purposeful process of the organism. The process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, an expression of the life force attempting to heal itself. Therapeutic actions should be complementary to and synergistic with this healing process. The physician's actions can support or antagonize the actions of the vis mediatrix naturae; therefore methods designed to suppress symptoms without removing underlying causes are considered harmful and are avoided or minimized. Therapeutic actions are applied in an ordered fashion congruent with the internal order of the organism.
4. Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle causam)
Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of disease must be discovered and removed or treated before a person can recover completely from illness. Symptoms are expressions of the body's attempt to heal, but they are not the cause of disease; therefore naturopathic medicine addresses itself promptly to the underlying causes of disease, rather than symptoms. Causes may occur on many levels, including physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual. The physician must evaluate fundamental underlying causes on all levels, directing treatment at root cause rather than at symptomatic expression.
5. Prevention (Prevention is the best "cure")
The ultimate goal of naturopathic medicine is prevention. This is accomplished through education and promotion of lifestyle habits that create good health. The physician assesses risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and makes appropriate interventions to avoid further harm and risk to the patient. The emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease. Because it is difficult to be healthy in an unhealthy world, it is the responsibility of both the physician and patient to create a healthier environment in which to live.
6. The Physician as Teacher (Docere)
Beyond an accurate diagnosis and appropriate prescription, the physician must work to create a health-sensitive, interpersonal relationship with the patient. A cooperative doctor-patient relationship has inherent therapeutic value. The physician's major role is to educate and encourage the patient to take responsibility for health. The physician is a catalyst for healthful change, empowering and motivating the patient to assume responsibility. It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates or accomplishes healing. The physician must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding. Physicans must also make a commitment to their personal and spiritual development in order to be good teachers.