Alternative Medicine Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Alternative Medicine And Beneficial Treatments

By Veronica Tripplethorn

The growth of some types of alternative medicine in recent years has been astounding. Between 1991 and 1997, the use of herbal medicines in the United States grew by 380 percent and the use of vitamin therapy by 130 percent. These medicines have shown to have some effectiveness, but there is no conclusive evidence that these practices may in fact be better than scientific therapies.

While countless people claim to have found relief from their ailments through herbal treatments, Chinese herbal medications, acupuncture, meditation and diet based therapies; these methods may not be safe for everyone.

Ayurvedic Medicine Places Equal Emphasis On Body, Mind And Spirit

Practitioners of alternative medicines always reiterate that the treatment should suit the illness. So if you break your arm, no amount of ginseng is going to cure you! The main way that alternative medicine differs from traditional medicine is the spiritual aspect. One of the most common practices is Ayurvedic medicine.

This treatment has been practiced in India for the past five thousand years and has recently gained great popularity through the teachings of Deepak Chopra. Ayurvedic medicine places equal emphasis on body, mind and spirit, and encourages harmony between an individual and their environment. Practitioners use diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage and herbs to achieve this state.

Two Types Of Energy Therapies

Energy therapies are rapidly gaining popularity because of their relaxing qualities. Even if you do not believe in their healing properties, there is no denying that the therapies feel wonderful. There are two types of energy therapies. Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that supposedly surround and penetrate the human body.

Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch. Bio-electromagnetic based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields.

Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture is the treatment of pain or disease by inserting the tips of needles at specific points on the skin. Practitioners believe that health and sickness hinges on concepts of "vital energy," "energetic balance" and "energetic imbalance." Herbal therapies may be combined with acupuncture treatment.

This practice has been so successful for so many people in treating ailments like neck and back pain that even some traditional doctors advise patients to give it a try. For most patients, acupuncture is painless. Discomfort can be caused by improper needle placement or a defective needle. Treatment energizes some patients and relaxes others. When practiced properly, acupuncture is completely safe.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration require qualified practitioners to use sterile nontoxic needles. The number of visits depends on the disorder and the patient’s general health. An acute disorder may only need 1 or 2 treatments. Chronic conditions require more. Two to 12 treatments is a common acupuncture prescription.

Inconsistency In Results

The most common criticism about alternative medicine is that it is inconsistent. While some people may experience tremendous results, others may not see any difference at all. If you are currently taking traditional medications, then you should get medical advice from a doctor before using any kind of herbal remedy.

Although they are natural, these herbs contain active ingredients that could cause a dangerous reaction when mixed with other medications. Alternative medicines do have a place in the medical community, so experiment with a variety of procedures to see which ones work best for you.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

This Article was about Alternative Medicine.

About the Author:
Veronica Tripplethorn is an author of nutrition, dieting, fitness and exercise articles including Veronica Tripplethorn is an author of health, nutrition, dieting, and fitness articles including Massage Therapy, Massages, Aromatherapy Massage, Aromatherapy Candles, Aromatherapy, Aromatherapy Candles, Aromatherapy Oils, Aromatherapy Essential, Aromatherapy Products.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

More Facts About Herbs...

How do I dry my herbs properly?
Fresh herbs are the best to use but if you have an overabundance, you are going to need to dry them so you can use them at a later date. How you harvest the herb is going to depend largely on the shape and how they are used. Most people only use the leaves of certain herbs such as oregano or basil.

These you will want to pluck and lay out to dry in a sunny place. If you have a food dehydrator you can use it to help speed along the process. After the herb is dried, you can then store it in an airtight container. There is one thing you need to keep in mind: dried herbs are more potent than fresh so you will want to use less when cooking or for medicinal applications.