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There are many different types of alternative medicines that people often subscribe to when they decide that the options that are offered by western medicine aren’t efficient enough at treating their symptoms. Many people feel that a more natural solution may be the best idea for helping to get rid of an ailment, and to that end, herbalism has become an increasingly popular option. In this article, we’ll go over some of the basics of herbalism so that you can better understand what your options are when you come down with a type of illness.

Herbalism is the practice of relying on herbal remedies in order to keep the body healthy and ward off various illnesses. People have been eating various herbs and plants for thousands of years in the hopes that they will be able to find solutions to the problems that plague them. Today, herbal medicines are one of the most popular forms of alternative treatment, with a study showing that a full 18.9 percent of people turn to herbal remedies to help them with illness.

Those who take herbal remedies in order to cure themselves may do so in many different manners. Some prefer to simply eat the herbs, while others may take capsules containing herbs that are ground up. Making tea out of herbal supplements is also a popular option, and it is a type of consumption that is often used for popular herbal remedies such as chamomile, dandelion, and many others. Another method of achieving results from herbal remedies is to remove the essential oils found in the herb and use them as a type of ointment.

While many people use herbal remedies with much success in treating their problems, the world of herbal remedies offers no guarantees. As they are not marketed pharmaceutically, herbal remedies are not subject to the various tests that clinical drugs are, causing the efficiency of some herbal remedies to be debatable. For that reason, if you are considering taking an herbal remedy to treat a problem, you should thoroughly research the herb in order to ensure that it actually treats the problems that a salesman claims it can treat.

One good thing about herbal remedies, by contrast, is that herbal remedies are much more well-tolerated than clinical drugs, causing less side effects to occur. For those who tend to experience lots of side effects when they take pharmaceutical drugs, herbal remedies may provide a sufficient answer to the problems they may face. Herbal remedies also tend to be much cheaper than pharmaceutical drugs as they are grown as opposed to being produced inside of a laboratory.

As with any type of medication, you should speak with your doctor before you begin a regimen of an herbal remedy in order to ensure that the herb is safe for you to ingest and that it will not counteract any other medications that you may be taking. Your health is your responsibility and it is important to know all of the options that you have when it comes to treating various ailments and illnesses.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: alternative medicine, dandelion, Herbal Remedies, herbs

Although alternative medicine is not often regulated by the government, it offers new avenues that may not be explored by conventional medicine. Some people have obtained relief from difficult ailments by utilizing a wide variety of holistic medicines. The flu is one of those ailments whose symptoms prove difficult to treat with conventional remedies.

While there are many medications that work wonders against the flu and its symptoms, there is no quick cure. By keeping informed about alternative treatments, and perhaps trying a few, you may find something that works well. If enough people find alternative treatments that relieve them of their ailments, eventually contemporary medicine will embrace these treatments; thus making them more available to others.

Acupuncture is the perfect example of a treatment that has gone from being considered quackery to a position where its practitioners are licensed, and insurance carriers will pay for treatments. The related form, acupressure (which does not use needles), is fast gaining ground as a viable means of treating a wide variety of symptoms. While the flu cannot be cured by acupressure, its symptoms can be alleviated. Below are examples of some acupressure points that can help relieve flu symptoms. Use your fingertips to apply pressure to the following areas for three minutes.

1. The point where the bridge of your nose meets the ridge of your eyebrows. This point relieves itchy eyes and nasal congestion.
2. The bottom of either the right or left cheekbone, directly under the pupil. It serves the same function as the first point.
3. The hollows at the base of the skull, two inches apart from either side of the spine. This relieves eye strain and headaches.
4. Massaging the feet increases blood circulation, thus providing for faster healing.

Aromatherapy is also gaining attention as a viable form of therapy. Many oils are known to have the capacity to boost the body’s immune system, and thus can be used as preventative measures. At the beginning of the flu season, you might want to try a drop of tea tree oil mixed with lemon and water and gargle each day. This gargle may help you fend off the flu virus altogether. If you begin to notice symptoms of the flu, you might want to try a few oils known to boost your immune system.

Essential oils like basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, and pine help to relive nasal congestion. These should be taken through steam inhalation. Basil and pine can also be used to relieve chest congestion, along with tea tree oil. These oils clear up mucus, easing breathing patterns. These oils can be rubbed over the chest or inhaled.

Muscle aches can be alleviated by tea tree oil, myrrh, and elemi. Pine can also help. These oils should be used in a bath. If you have a fever, try a lukewarm bath. If you have the chills, have a hot bath.

Hydrotherapy or promoting sweats went out of usage in conventional medicine many decades ago. At the time it was dismissed right along with leeches, and many other treatments. Whether or not hydrotherapy was truly useless, or even harmful, depends a great deal on whether or not the physicians of yore diagnosed correctly and employed this therapy correctly. Unfortunately we will never know the answer to that, as these doctors did not have the diagnostic tools that are available today. Indigenous people the world over have successfully used sweats for thousands of years. Perhaps hydrotherapy will make a comeback in conventional medicine, much as leeches are being reconsidered for their usefulness on some occasions.

When you have the flu, it is important to keep the feet warm at all times. It is no secret that a lower body temperature makes the body less resistant to viruses and bacteria. Thus, every effort must be made to keep warm. Many people have found their flu symptoms being alleviated by promoting sweat. Hot baths, hot foot-baths, and other heat therapies can do wonders. Among other thing, increased temperature at appropriate intervals increases circulation. Increased circulation translates to more white blood cells moving through infected areas, thus allowing them to get at and destroy the flu virus particles faster.

By trying these alternative cures, you just might discover ways to fight the flu faster and more easily. While these remedies may not be endorsed by practitioners of conventional medicine, discussing these alternatives with your physician can help him/her see that there are other options available. If they see it works, they too, will use it.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site.

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Tags: acupressure, acupuncture, alternative medicine, Flu, holistic medicines

Many of those who live with depression as part of their daily lives want to use something other than antidepressants to help them. Many depression sufferers are looking to natural alternatives to a lifetime of taking medication.

One popular natural alternative to pharmaceuticals is St. John’s Wort. Many studies have been conducted using this natural supplement. While the results of these studies have been inconclusive, there is agreement that St. John’s Wort seems to have some positive results. Many of those who choose to use it swear by it, often claiming that they get the same if not better results than using Prozac. They say that when they take St. John’s Wort regularly they need nothing else.

The reason for this natural plant’s positive results is because it works on all three of the neurotransmitters that affect depression: serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, by slowing down the body’s rate of absorption. This allows the body more time to use them to send messages to the brain. The only negative aspect of this supplement is that is may interact with other medications a person takes and so a person should confer with their health care provider before trying it.

There are also others that have some good results. For example, omega-3 fatty acids, which are found mainly in fish oils, are having some success as well. Similar omega-3 fatty acids are found in walnuts, canola oil and hemp as well as fish, but it seems to be only the omega-3 fatty acids that are found in the fish oils that act as an antidepressant. These fatty acids have in them DHE fatty acids that are used by the brain as nourishment. Depressives are known to be low in these acids and so by taking the omega-3 fatty acids they are able to replenish what the brain requires.

Several of the B vitamins are recommended for those who must deal with depression. Research has found that too many adult depressives are low in their levels of folic acid. Tests have shown that those whose levels are particularly low can suffer from long depressive episodes, and may find that their bodies do not respond well to regular antidepressant medications because of this missed vitamin. It has been proven that when the folic acid levels are upped the person’s mood improves.

Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, has also been shown to affect mood. B1 even improves the mood of those who are not depressives.

Menopause can particularly affect moods in women going through that phase of their lives. Menopausal moods can be lifted by Vitamin B12 levels. Once a woman reaches the age of fifty her levels of this vitamin have greatly diminished to the point where she often has only half what she should in her system. Vitamin B6 is also important and is known to help premenstrual depression, called PMS. Using any or all of the Vitamin Bs can greatly improve mood. It seems worth trying them all.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Depression.

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Tags: alternative medicine, b vitamins, Depression

There are different interpretations of what Chinese medicine is. There are those who see it as an alternative medicine, especially when associated with acupuncture. China and Taiwan look to traditional Chinese medicine as an important part of their healthcare system. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was coined in the 1950s as a term to collectively refer to what was exported as “Chinese medicine”.

Today traditional Chinese medicine means that which entails the Chinese theories, diagnosis and treatment of individuals using traditional Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage and Qigong. Sometimes it is called Oriental medicine or East Asian medicine.

Most who practice TCM believe that the human body is in constant interaction with the environment. Those that practice TCM can diagnose, understand and treat illness and even prevent it by means of ascertaining disharmony in an individual.

TCM has a theory based on several philosophical believes including the Yin-Yang theory, the Five Elements, the Meridian system, the Zang Fu Organ theory and a few others. These theories or concepts are collectively used to come up with a diagnosis.

It is important when utilizing Chinese herbs that you do so under the guidance of a health professional. You will have questions regarding the preparation, dosage, interactions, when to change formulas, what to do if other symptoms would occur that you may not have expected.

Also learn how long to follow the herbal therapy. All of these questions are best answered by someone how really understands Chinese medicine. Knowing about Chinese medicine is more than just reading an article or book. It takes years of studying to understand not only the book knowledge, but the inner understanding about balance and other Chinese theories.

Formulas are herbal combinations that are specifically designed for an individual based on symptoms, interview and inspection. Formulas are not mass-produced but done one at a time for a specific individual. Formulas are not available in stores or on the Internet. Those practicing Chinese medicine will prescribe a formula that the patient can take to a herbal shop in order to have the formula prepared.

It is recommended that you find a local practitioner to aid you in consultations and treatments instead of traveling great distances to have one consultation with a Chinese practice of notoriety.

Chinese medicine is not an exact science. Treatment varies and has many factors including herbs to be used, dosage, the duration of the treatment and any additional treatment such as acupuncture.

Chinese medicine like many clinics for Western medicine has a way for low-income patients to receive care. Colleges of traditional Chinese medicine offer discounted services because students are there to learn from experience treating patients. Other practitioners often times will offer low cost or sliding scale fees to assist those with lower income to pay for traditional Chinese medicinal care.

Going the distance for care in China:

There are those who desire Chinese medicine and are willing to receive it from those actually practicing in China. There are many obstacles such as the language barrier, travel arrangements, the availability of hotel rooms and the ability of Chinese hospitals to accommodate foreign patients. Certain clinics in China are set up to treat specific diseases and may offer to provide foreign patients with long distance consultations where the patient sends the clinic his/her medical information and the clinic will design and ship the proper herbs for a fee.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Tags: acupuncture, alternative medicine, Herbal Remedies, TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is a form of natural healing that has been around for over 5,000 years and not only practiced in China but also by the Egyptians, Eskimos, Arabs, and Brazilians. The aim of acupuncture is to balance Qi in the body, which is the energy force, or the vital energy in the body and to eventually release chi (the negative energy) in the person if there is an accumulation of it. Acupuncture looks at the body as a whole as opposed to individual parts and believes that if all parts are in harmony then this will contribute to a healthier person overall.

Acupuncture is a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and like most forms of alternative medicine, individuals look to it when they feel that traditional medicine is not doing enough to help them or else they are looking for a form of treatment that can complement the Western medicine and/or treatments they are presently receiving.

When doing research on branches of alternative medicine a person definitely wants to know right away if a particular type of natural healing methods can do just that- heal. Let’s take a look at whether acupuncture can actual heal or not.

In order to discover whether acupuncture will help your particular medical condition, you must speak with a qualified practitioner of acupuncture. He or she will want to know your extensive medical history including any allergies you have and what illnesses and injuries you have suffered in the past. Only after learning your history can a potential form of treatment be decided upon.

As a general rule if the traditional Western medicine and/or treatment are not proving to be as successful as a person hoped it would be then it is time to consider an alternative route such as acupuncture. Also, if you are paying for expensive medications and you are going broke then acupuncture might be a worthwhile option to consider for your medical needs.

Another time when acupuncture is often desirable is if a person is bravely suffering a number of side effects due to the form of treatment they are presently taking. There tend to be very few side effects to acupuncture if a qualified professional does it.

There are many health conditions that can be helped with acupuncture treatments. Some examples of the respiratory diseases that acupuncture can help include acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, acute tonsillitis and the common cold. Acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma are both bronchopulmonary diseases that acupuncture has been shown to have excellent results in helping. The eye disorders acupuncture helps include acute conjunctivitis, cataract that has no complications, myopia, and central retinitis.

The mouth cavity disorders acupuncture helps include toothaches, gingivitis, pharyngitis, and pain or discomfort that sometimes takes place after a tooth is extracted. The orthopedic disorders acupuncture helps include periarthritis humeroscapularis, tennis elbow, lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica.

Finally, acupuncture also improves gastrointestinal disorders as well as neurological disorders. The gastrointestinal disorders it helps include hiccups, gastroptosis, spasms that take place in the cardia and the esophagus, gastric hyperacidity, acute and chronic gastritis, chronic duodenal ulcer, acute bacterial dysentery, acute as well as chronic colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and paralytic ileus.

The neurologic disorders it helps include headaches and migraines in particular, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy, meniere’s syndrome, intercostals neuralgia, nocturnal enuresis, paralysis after an apoplectic fit, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and paralysis that is caused by poliomyelitis.

Acunpuncture has become a viable and acceptible alternative to traditional treatments.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Tradition Chinese Medicine.

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Tags: acupuncture, alternative medicine, TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Many philosophies have been adopted throughout history in the continuing search for good health. Holistic health is the realization of our potential as humans as total beings, and our desire to live fulfilling and satisfying lives. The overall goal is not just to be physically healthy but also to be in harmony with oneself and the environment at all levels, body, mind and spirit. Relationships, social interaction and lifestyle are also factors that are considered when dealing with a holistic approach. Managing, or eliminating stress is a basic component of holistic health.

Holistic is a term that emphasizes the functional relationship between the whole and its parts. Holistic health or holistic medicine attempts to treat the whole person, including mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Holistic medicine is not a new concept or theory. In fact holistic health is more of a philosophy that has been in existence for thousands of years. Holistic medicine however is new to western medicine and our health care system.

When holistic medicine is used in conjunction with traditional health care, the approach to therapy takes on a whole new dimension. Patients roles are changed in that they become more involved in their treatment by being made aware of their condition and how their thoughts, behaviors and attitudes are attributed to the situation and they are taught how by making changes they can be actively involved in their own healing process.

There are several terms that are often associated with holistic medicine. Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and natural healing are probably terms that you have heard before. Alternative medicine is a term used by both medical professionals and the general public to describe medical techniques or procedures that are not generally recognized or accepted by traditional or conventional practitioners.

These techniques include non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical methods as well as experimental drugs or therapies that are not in general use or as of yet widely accepted as means of effective treatment. The attitudes about alternative medicine are changing and in recent years many of the practices have become widely accepted so much so that a few are now actually considered conventional.

Complementary medicine is usually a term used by conventional or traditional medical practitioners to describe non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical practices that are used in conjunction with or to compliment surgery and prescription or over the counter drugs.

The implication is that these practices are the primary tools used in the healing or treatment process and that the unconventional techniques are just used as a backup or supplement as needed. Natural healing refers to non-invasive techniques as well but does not usually involve the use of any drugs or supplements of any kind. Natural healing is usually a reference to physical healing or bodywork only.

There is a wide variety of natural, alternative, or complementary practices that are used to attain holistic health. Some of these practices include aromatherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, naturopathy, medicinal herbs, Reiki, Tai chi, and yoga. All of these approaches can help reduce stress. Stress reduction is a fundamental principal of holistic health. The reduction of stress is believed to allow the body’s natural healing abilities to go to work.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Stress Management.

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Tags: alternative medicine, body mind and spirit, complementary medicine, holistic approach, holistic health, natural healing, Stress Management