It is important to know what you're getting yourself into when you decide to purchase any form of medicine. Whether it is produced by a giant pharmaceutical manufacturer such as Merck or Pfizer, or obtained from your local Chinese herb shop, being in the know is what is best for you. In this day and age of the internet, lack of information is not an acceptable attitude.
If you take any medicine too often or for the wrong ailment, you could be putting your health in jeopardy; however, there are some natural medicines that are considerably less risky. It is a well known fact that a person should visit their doctor on a bi-yearly basis if they are taking a number of prescription medicines. The reason for this is that the normal doctor, busy as they are, does not generally take the time to review each medication you are taking at your timer of regular visit. Perhaps you are going in for treatment of the complaint of gout, for example, and your doctor treats you for this ailment at that time. But the doctor, usually distracted and in a hurry, does not review your current list of meds to determine that what he prescribes you for gout may interact with the medication that he has you on arthritis or rheumatism. It is the patient's responsibility to discuss these concerns with the doctor at time of visit.
Natural health medicine has been documented to have less or no side effects when compared to its chemical counterparts. That is because natural health medicine is generally made with products taken out of nature without being refined. They have generally been used for decades by different cultures, with little or no side effect. The medicine is made out of natural ingredients that will work in conjunction with the body, whereas their refined counterparts might have an adverse affect. One must also consider too that the compounds and inert substances used to bind prescription drugs may cause an interaction in the system. At the very least, the body cannot process naturally these agents.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
How We See Alternative Medicine Today
It is interesting to observe that more and more people are now accepting alternative medicine after having tried out traditional forms unsuccessfully. In fact, a recent survey concluded that as many as 36% of people in the United States relied on alternative medicine alone. But still, there are many doctors in the United States that are totally against using alternative medicine as a mode of treatment. Here again, the researches conclude otherwise! According to these researches, the alternative medicine does include different varieties of compounds in them and all of them have benefits associated with it. If at all you come across doctors that believe in these theories you will do well to contact someone else.
The major challenge confronting people who opt for alternative medicine is that they will not come across doctors with accredited degree pertaining to it. But there is also no denying the fact that most of the colleges across the United States these days are offering degrees in ayurveda, unani, homeopathy, naturopathy and acupuncture. The phenomenal increase in the demand for treatments related to alternative medicine is a very good indicator that this industry is indeed growing healthily. People no longer have to suffer with illnesses and pain as most of modern day pharmacy does not have magic to relieve them from it.
The major challenge confronting people who opt for alternative medicine is that they will not come across doctors with accredited degree pertaining to it. But there is also no denying the fact that most of the colleges across the United States these days are offering degrees in ayurveda, unani, homeopathy, naturopathy and acupuncture. The phenomenal increase in the demand for treatments related to alternative medicine is a very good indicator that this industry is indeed growing healthily. People no longer have to suffer with illnesses and pain as most of modern day pharmacy does not have magic to relieve them from it.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fight the Flu...Naturally!
More and more people today are looking for a natural flu treatment as an alternative to traditional flu medicine, especially in light of recently revealed dangers to some age groups from the over-the-counter preparations. While we may wish it, there is no natural cure for the flu, at least not today. Happily, there are several natural ways to treat the flu, should you come down with it.
A fever is the immune system's way of trying to kill off the virus by creating a hotter than normal environment. Fever also forces the proteins that kill germs to move faster through your blood, and makes them more effective at the same time. It is tough to endure, but will be worth the wait. Coughing is another sign that your immune system is trying to conquer the virus. By coughing, you are helping to clear the breathing passages and your lungs of the thick mucus that helps carry the virus throughout your body.
There is a natural flu treatment to help get rid of that congestion your body is already trying to fight off. When you use an over the counter flu medicine such, you are actually restricting the blood flow to vessels in your nose and throat, even though you really need more blood flow to warm that area and force the germs out. Instead, a natural remedy for congestion is to drink more water. When you are having breathing trouble, you need to keep hydrated, and the more you drink, the more the mucus will be affected. Once the mucus has taken in too much water, it can no longer hold its form, and it and the germs it carries will be forced out of the body through the nose.
A fever is the immune system's way of trying to kill off the virus by creating a hotter than normal environment. Fever also forces the proteins that kill germs to move faster through your blood, and makes them more effective at the same time. It is tough to endure, but will be worth the wait. Coughing is another sign that your immune system is trying to conquer the virus. By coughing, you are helping to clear the breathing passages and your lungs of the thick mucus that helps carry the virus throughout your body.
There is a natural flu treatment to help get rid of that congestion your body is already trying to fight off. When you use an over the counter flu medicine such, you are actually restricting the blood flow to vessels in your nose and throat, even though you really need more blood flow to warm that area and force the germs out. Instead, a natural remedy for congestion is to drink more water. When you are having breathing trouble, you need to keep hydrated, and the more you drink, the more the mucus will be affected. Once the mucus has taken in too much water, it can no longer hold its form, and it and the germs it carries will be forced out of the body through the nose.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Alternative vs. Traditional Medicine
There is a lot of difference between Alternative medicine and traditional medicine. And it is important for each one of us to understand these differences at large. In a layman terminology, alternative medicine can also be referred to as non-western or unconventional medicine. This form of medicine, in fact, does not follow the methodology of traditional medicine and hence is unique in its own way. According to NLM, United States, the therapeutic practices falling under alternative medicine does not fall under alternative medical practices.
Therapies like dieting, acupuncture, and yoga fall under alternative medicine. When these therapies are used along side conventional treatments they are referred to as complementary. However, if these therapies are used in place of conventional treatments, they are called as alternative treatments. It was only in the year 1995 that the exact description and definition of complementary medicine and alternative medicine was coined. According to this definition, the complementary and alternative medicine can be termed as resources that include different aspects of health practices and systems and that is so different from prevailing health systems in the current culture or society.
Therapies like herbal medicine, ayurveda, homeopathy, folk medicine, diet practices, music therapy and others come under complementary or alternative medicine. People tend to rely on the medicinal forms when their attempt with allopathic medicine fails completely. If the efficacies of individual therapies that are included under alternative medicine are proved they will be included under tradition medicine. A classical example for this would be chiropractors. Not so long ago, it was discarded by insurance companies as ineffective and alternative form of treatment. But after it was proved to be an important and effective mode of treatment, it is now being considered as an integral part of treatment.
Therapies like dieting, acupuncture, and yoga fall under alternative medicine. When these therapies are used along side conventional treatments they are referred to as complementary. However, if these therapies are used in place of conventional treatments, they are called as alternative treatments. It was only in the year 1995 that the exact description and definition of complementary medicine and alternative medicine was coined. According to this definition, the complementary and alternative medicine can be termed as resources that include different aspects of health practices and systems and that is so different from prevailing health systems in the current culture or society.
Therapies like herbal medicine, ayurveda, homeopathy, folk medicine, diet practices, music therapy and others come under complementary or alternative medicine. People tend to rely on the medicinal forms when their attempt with allopathic medicine fails completely. If the efficacies of individual therapies that are included under alternative medicine are proved they will be included under tradition medicine. A classical example for this would be chiropractors. Not so long ago, it was discarded by insurance companies as ineffective and alternative form of treatment. But after it was proved to be an important and effective mode of treatment, it is now being considered as an integral part of treatment.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Prescription vs Alternative Medicine
There are a large number of people who simply would like to avoid harsh chemical substances. For the people who do not feel very comfortable with these chemical products, there are numerous remedies in various disciplines of alternative medicine. These remedies are certainly not less effective if not more. They have other advantages as well!
First of all I would like to count their gentle action. That may appear to be a disadvantage to some people because gentle action may be inferred as slow, but gradual changes in the body systems are always better tolerated and have a more lasting effect. Then the natural remedies have a far less potential of side effects. There is either no side effect at all, or if there are any, they are also slow to appear and can hence be detected at an earlier stage without significant discomfort or damage.
Herbal and natural remedies in general, are a far cheaper option than the prescription medicine. They are simple to prepare and you hardly ever need the highly expensive professional supervision for their use. One may ask the very pertinent question then; "why the alternative
medicines are so much less in use". The answer is simple. The herbal and natural products have to be licensed by drug regulating authorities before marketing if they are to appear in the competitive market of medicine. That involves a lot of money. Humongous amounts need to be spent on pre-launch researches and the like. The industry of alternative medicine simply does not have that big money! Then there are no laws to grant patents for these products to assure the recovery of your investments.
First of all I would like to count their gentle action. That may appear to be a disadvantage to some people because gentle action may be inferred as slow, but gradual changes in the body systems are always better tolerated and have a more lasting effect. Then the natural remedies have a far less potential of side effects. There is either no side effect at all, or if there are any, they are also slow to appear and can hence be detected at an earlier stage without significant discomfort or damage.
Herbal and natural remedies in general, are a far cheaper option than the prescription medicine. They are simple to prepare and you hardly ever need the highly expensive professional supervision for their use. One may ask the very pertinent question then; "why the alternative
medicines are so much less in use". The answer is simple. The herbal and natural products have to be licensed by drug regulating authorities before marketing if they are to appear in the competitive market of medicine. That involves a lot of money. Humongous amounts need to be spent on pre-launch researches and the like. The industry of alternative medicine simply does not have that big money! Then there are no laws to grant patents for these products to assure the recovery of your investments.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Natural Medicine is In! Western Medicine is Out!
Have you ever tried a natural or herbal remedy to cure a condition or possibly for everyday usage? Some people think of herbal remedies are a ruse to lure people in and buy products. However now a days even medical doctors are realizing the benefits of natural herbal remedies. Herbs have been in use for over 5,000 years with several different cultures including Sumerian, Greek, Egyptian, Arabian, Roman, German, Swiss, and English.
The western culture has been using herbal medicine for thousands of years making herbalism one of the oldest forms of medicine. Additionally it is possibly one of the most widespread medicines with about 80% of the worlds population still using herbal medicine. Herbal medicine unlike conventional medicine is not only used for treatment of symptoms or conditions. Herbal medicine prevents diseases and illnesses, maintains proper daily body functioning and enhances mental attitude, appearance and performance. Herbal remedies can be used to help in areas such as digestion, respiratory, circulation, immune, endocrine, nervous system, detoxification, and externally for the skin, hair and nails. Herbal experimentation has been the basis for both Indian herbal medicine known as Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese herbal medicine reflects Chinese belief that the universe is made up of energy called chi. Additionally human beings have an innate relationship with the world and environment surrounding them through chi; the human body is a small universe within itself made up of complex systems of energy and matter that works to maintain health of body and mind. Chinese herbal medicine is the primary therapeutic modality for internal medicine in China. This is used in conjunction with external modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, tai chi, meditation, dermabrasion and food therapy. With over 500 Chinese herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combines herbs to create specific formulas to fit the individual patient.
The western culture has been using herbal medicine for thousands of years making herbalism one of the oldest forms of medicine. Additionally it is possibly one of the most widespread medicines with about 80% of the worlds population still using herbal medicine. Herbal medicine unlike conventional medicine is not only used for treatment of symptoms or conditions. Herbal medicine prevents diseases and illnesses, maintains proper daily body functioning and enhances mental attitude, appearance and performance. Herbal remedies can be used to help in areas such as digestion, respiratory, circulation, immune, endocrine, nervous system, detoxification, and externally for the skin, hair and nails. Herbal experimentation has been the basis for both Indian herbal medicine known as Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese herbal medicine reflects Chinese belief that the universe is made up of energy called chi. Additionally human beings have an innate relationship with the world and environment surrounding them through chi; the human body is a small universe within itself made up of complex systems of energy and matter that works to maintain health of body and mind. Chinese herbal medicine is the primary therapeutic modality for internal medicine in China. This is used in conjunction with external modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, tai chi, meditation, dermabrasion and food therapy. With over 500 Chinese herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combines herbs to create specific formulas to fit the individual patient.
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