Alternative Medicine

Aromatherapy and The Cultures of the Native Americans

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 29, 2011 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


Aromatherapy is a healing and magical practice that has been used for thousands of years. It’s recorded in the hieroglyphs of Egypt, but certainly has a much longer history. The oldest known medical text for working with aromas and oils was found in the Orient and is around 5000 years old. One has to assume that if medical texts were written this long ago, that the fledging practice or aromatherapy is much, much older. In order to write a medical text there had to be a history to use as a beginning.

The ancient cultures developed their practices based on what plants were available to them. As contact began to increase between Asia, Africa and Europe, the oldest spice routes, sailing explorations and later trade routes led to cross-culture contact. This, in turn, created some similarities in practice and form. In the Americas, separated by thousands of miles of oceans to the East and the West, an aromatherapy practice developed based on different species of plants and some differences in ritual. Until tobacco became a recreational drug, the Americas had little crossing of their practices with other continents.

While the other cultures of the world searched near and far, from continent to continent for special woods and flowers to create their products, native cultures in The Americas lived more in harmony with the land, using native plants. Of course it was far more difficult for them to trade with the oceans to cross, but the relative isolation from outside sources created an evolutionary difference in their choices and practices.

The Shamans of The Southern Americas used hallucinogens like mescaline for their spiritual journeys and Machis drove off evil spirits with herbs. In the Northern climes of the Americas, the hallucinogen of choice was peyote and evil spirits were driven off with the smoke of sage.

While the Egyptians used olive oil as a base for their essential oils, there is no evidence that the cultures of the Americas used oil as a base in the same way. Herbs were dried for digestion (medical purposes) and for smudging to clear the body and spaces of any unwanted energies. It would be logical though for them to be making salves and unguents from rendered fats. With a large supply of native nuts, oil may have been extracted from them. The tribes who had settlements probably had more variety in how they combined herbs and woods than the tribes who were primarily nomadic.

If you want information about specific plants that were used in the Americas, read my article Ten Native American Herbs and Their Uses.

Acupuncture – An Effective Treatment For Back Pain

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 28, 2011 in Acupuncture with No Comments


If you have been suffering from back pain which seems to persist, it would be a wise choice to consult a professional who is highly trained in acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture has been proven to help people find relief from pain even when other treatments have failed.

Acupuncture is an old and proven healing process whereby small needles are inserted into various specifically determined points of the body called acupuncture points. Surprisingly, it is a painless method in spite of the fact that needles are inserted into the body. Originating in Asia, acupuncture has been shown to relieve pain, to treat and prevent various diseases, promote general health and used for therapeutic purposes. It has been practiced for over a thousand years throughout the world – having treated many people with various diseases. There are many benefits of acupuncture that can provide help for you to recover from an illness and improve your health.

The process works through a therapeutic effect in order to relieve pain and many times, completely heals it. Acupuncture treatment usually lasts for fifteen to twenty minutes. It is helpful in relieving pain for acute and chronic conditions, decreasing stress and anxiety, accelerating the healing process, aiding in smoking cessation and other treatments for internal disorders. Acupuncture does not require the use of any sort of medication in the treatment process. Completely based upon natural care, an acupuncture treatment can help you to avoid the use of pain relief medications that might have some serious side effects over time.

Back pain is one of the most common complaints in the world with millions of people suffering from it. Back pain is no more common to the elderly; it can affect anyone irrespective of age and can be caused by many reasons including accidental injury, unhealthy posture or arthritis. Most people who experience back pain, either mild or severe, usually turn towards pain relief medications. Although the effects of medication suppress the ache initially, the pain keeps coming back. For treating back pain, acupuncture can be very effective. For those individuals who suffer persistent lower back pain, acupuncture can provide long-lasting relief from the pain. Acupuncture helps a great deal in developing the activity level of those who have chronic back pain.

Acupuncture is a safe technique which has shown positive results for a number of maladies that you may suffer from including back pain. It can help you to get rid of the discomfort caused by severe back pain. You can notice the difference soon after the first visit to the acupuncture clinic and after a series of regular visits you will find that the pain has been completely diminished. One session with an acupuncture expert is not enough to heal the pain. Different kinds of acute pain require you to undergo several sessions at the clinic. The great advantage of acupuncture treatment for your back pain is that it can help even years after the original issue or complaint developed. Acupuncture treatment can strengthen your muscles and help you increase your range of movements by helping you to control your pain.

Many people now realize that treating pain with drugs is only a temporary cure which results in side effects over time. The acupuncture experts will also advise you how to make a few changes in your lifestyle which allows you to prevent the reiteration of the back pain again in the future. We all are aware of the fact that a healthy immune system is essential for maintaining overall health. The greatest benefits that acupuncture offers are that it can improve your immune system.

If you are looking for relief of your back pain, you can find a licensed acupuncturist to relieve your pain at Chicago acupuncture for more effective therapy as compared to chemical medications.

Relax Your Mind and Body With Aromatherapy!

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 27, 2011 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


Aromatherapy is one of the most in-demand services you can get from a day spa. The therapy is exceptional because it makes use of the scent of essential oils and herbs to relax both the mind and the body. It usually comes in a form of hydrosoluble oil or in a form of lotion which is massaged over the entire body.

The Senses of Touch and Smell

Aromatherapy is a proven and effective way to get rid of stress. Spa-goers often opt for this treatment because they claim that it offers deeper relaxation when compared to a regular massage alone. Although this claim is subjective, it also has a good basis. Aromatherapy is a combination of both the sense of touch and the sense of smell to achieve stress relief and relaxation.

The Limbic System and How it Works

Some people discount aromatherapy as a mere placebo that doesn’t really have any effect on the body. Other experts dispute this, stating that the olfactory nerves are wired to a part of the brain called the limbic system which is in charge of our emotions as well as our nervous system and hormones. When a scent is smelled by an individual, it can influence that person’s mood in a way dependent upon the scent being smelled.

Common Aromatherapy Scents

Here are some of the common scents used during an aromatherapy session. Depending on your therapist or your preference, these scents can be used alone or can be combined with other essential oils.

  • Lemon – Most people who have tried the scent of lemon say it has an energizing effect on their body as well as a disinfectant whenever applied to the skin.
  • Lavender – Lavender is primarily used as a stress reliever which is why it’s a common offering at spas.
  • Jasmine – This scent has an aphrodisiac effect but is used more for its relaxing and soothing effect.
  • Chamomile – An aroma used widely for its relaxing scent and also to help promote better sleep.
  • Basil – Known to improve focus and concentration.
  • Sandalwood – The scent of burned sandalwood can be described as a sweet woody scent known to promote relaxation and a peaceful atmosphere.
  • Rose – Rose is popularly known to have a soothing and calming aroma.
  • Peppermint – Like lemon, most people who have tried peppermint say that it helps increase their energy.

 

Use Scents Alone or Combined

Once you opt for aromatherapy, you can choose between one individual scent or for a combination of these scents. The scents come in a form of hydrosoluble oil or lotion and will be used to massage over your entire body. During the treatment, all you have to do is empty your mind and be carried away by the soothing aroma that fills the room along with the relaxing massage.

Not Appropriate with Certain Skin Conditions

Since aromatherapy involves essence from various herbs and plants and is rubbed directly onto the skin, it is inappropriate for individuals with skin allergies, those with fresh sunburns, and people with sensitive skin. Application on body areas with bruises, open wounds, and skin rashes should also be avoided. If you have any of these conditions, inform your therapist ahead of time, or better yet ask for your doctor’s consent first.

Patchouli Oil – Oil for Life

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 26, 2011 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


Patchouli oil is known widely for its relaxing and tension relieving properties. There are many wonders of this amazing plant and the various sensation therapeutic properties that this oil offers.

These fragrant plants grow in tropical region in many parts of the world. The oil gets distilled from its leaves and its shoot has a very rich and spicy odor, which improves with the age. The major components of patchouli oil are henzaldehyde, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. This oil is also known to have excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has been used for nausea, pain, headache etc. Apart from medicinal products, it is used in cosmetics and perfumes.

If you are suffering from anxiety or fighting odds against depression then you should try this oil. It is also effective in insect prone areas, as it helps in treating insect bites. Many people use patchouli oil for water retention or for breaking up the cellulite. The great deodorizing action helps in dealing with inflammations and gives you a soothing effect. Oil is among the most active and generator of tissue, which promotes new skin cell regulator.

With its excellent diuretic properties, it is effective in fighting water retention and to break up cellulite. You should try the one which is pure undiluted and is ready to use. There are many types of patchouli oils out for sale in the market. This essential oil is used to control use of essential oils so as to promote your spiritual as well as physical well being. This oil also finds its use in aromatherapy. A hot and relaxing bath in aromatherapy no doubt adds an entirely different experience in your life. This is why these types of oils are called Oils of life. You need to add this oil in bathtub and that’s it. The aromatherapy benefit is mainly a result of the herbal properties of natural patchouli oil.

There are many products in the market that claim to themselves to be made up of patchouli oil. However, not all of them are true for their claims. You need to make sure that you use pure and genuine patchouli oil.

The earthy scent of these oils is one of its most scintillating features. The rich scent of this oil boasts of having an aphrodisiac effect and is perfect for those who are looking for a romantic environment. The unique blend of stimulating as well as relaxing effect will surely impress you to a high degree. If you are experiencing lack of sexual drive then also you can use this oil. It is known for treating impotence in men and frigidity in women. It makes you feel relaxed and then paves the way for sexual stimulation. The strong and heavy smell of the plant might not appeal to you very much but it can yield a distinguish aroma which can be used as an important fixative in manufactures of various cosmetics.

Discover How Little Honey Bees Can Cure You

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 25, 2011 in Other with No Comments


Do you have any idea the incredible power of the substances made by tiny little bees? And I am not just talking about honey! Let’s take a look at a couple of other things that the bee world offer us, including propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly.

*Propolis: Propolis is some potent stuff. It is made from the sap that oozes from some trees. In nature, the trees create this substance to protect themselves from certain diseases. What honeybees do is take this sap, “chew” it up with their enzyme-filled saliva, and make sticky goo called propolis. They then use it to protect their hive from bacteria, viruses, and fungi-infestations. Because of these inherent properties, when humans ingest the propolis (usually taken internally in a freeze-dried powder form), it acts as a powerful anti-biotic, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Simple enough! The sticky propolis can also be applied to cuts or scrapes to fend off infection and cut down healing time dramatically.

*Bee pollen: Whereas propolis comes from tree sap, bee pollen comes from the pollen of flowers that the workers bees bring back to the hive. The quality of bee pollen depends on the flower that the pollen granules came from, and the time of year. Bee pollen is some pretty amazing stuff. It has more enzymes than any other food item you can ingest – over 5000! On top of that, it is incredibly high in protein, so it is an effective and easy way to boost your protein intake. What bee pollen may be most famous for is its energy boosting properties. It packs an intense punch of the B vitamin complex, so can be safely used as an overall energizer or “pick me up”.

*Royal Jelly: Royal jelly is the heavy hitter of the bunch. This yummy, milky substance made by the worker bees is reserved for the queen bee, and only the queen bee. It’s all she eats!! It is packed with all of the B-vitamins, a ton of important minerals, and 18 amino acids. There is a reason that the queen lives longer than any other bee, and enjoys the good life in the meantime! If humans ingest it, in either capsule form or thick, honey-like goo, it can help strengthen the immune system and minimize allergies, boost energy, lower cholesterol, strengthen weak kidneys, help to clear up skin issues and ease the pain of arthritis. Do you have any reason why you should not give it a shot now?

With any bee-based substance, if you are allergic to bees, you may want to consult your physician before ingesting these products. It is not very common, but those that have problems with allergies to bee stings may experience rashes or asthma symptoms if they ingest bee products. But for the general public, these are incredible substances available to us that should be explored as part of maintaining our health and vitality.

Fever And Runny Nose

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 22, 2011 in Health with No Comments


The article describes simple guidelines on how to treat runny nose and fever.

  • Mix raspberry fruits (2 parts), horse foot leaves (2 parts) and marjoram tops (1 part). Infuse a tablespoon of the mix of herbs with a glass of boiling water and leave the tincture to brew for 20-30 minutes. Afterwards, decant it and drink half a glass of hot infusion 3-4 times a day as a great perspiratory remedy. The remedy is proven to fight fever and reduce the temperature of your body.
  • Juice bloody crane’s-bill and drop 2 drops of the juice in your nose 3-4 times a day to treat runny nose.
  • Mix raspberry fruits (1 part), raspberry leaves (2 parts), marjoram tops (2 parts) and horse foot leaves (2 parts). Infuse a tablespoon of the mix of herbs with 2 glasses of boiling water and continue to boil the tincture on a small fire for 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, decant it and drink half a glass of hot decoction 3-4 times a day before meal. It is a great remedy to reduce fever. The remedy is proven to have anti-inflammatory action.
  • Drop 3 drops of pot marigold juice in your nose 3-4 times a day to deal with rhinitis.
  • Juice horse foot or make an infusion and drop 2-3 drops of the remedy in your nose 3-4 times a day. It is a great remedy to treat runny nose.
  • Mix red bilberry fruits and sprigs. Infuse a tablespoon of the mix of herbs with a glass of boiling water and let the infusion settle for half an hour. Afterwards, decant it and take 2 tablespoons of the infusion 4-5 times a day. The remedy is proven to fight fever and inflammation.
  • Mix red bilberry fruits, leaves and sprigs with wild strawberry leaves. Infuse a tablespoon of the mix of herbs with a glass of water and bring the infusion to a boil. Afterwards, decant it and add honey. Drink half a glass or a glass of warm decoction 3-4 times a day to deal with fever.
  • Moreover, the remedy possesses anti-inflammatory quality.
  • Infuse 5 tablespoons of dried sweet briar fruits with a glass of cold water and boil the infusion for 10 minutes. Afterwards, wrap the pot up and let the decoction brew for 8-10 hours. Decant it and drink half a glass or a glass of the decoction every 2-3 hours to reduce the temperature of your body. You can add honey, sugar or jam to the remedy.

Patient Experience Miracles Dr Naram’s Ancient Secrets

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 21, 2011 in Health with No Comments


The New York based Indrani Maitra had experienced miracle when she started using the ancient secrets of Dr Pankaj Naram, the well known Indian Pulse reader and master of ancient secrets.

She has expressed her experience here :

This month on December 9th, I met with you in Westchester, NY. At that time I’d told you about my high cholesterol count. I’d showed you my report from four months ago which showed LDL count of 163. You’d asked me to take Healthy Cholesterol. It was not available until the end of October. I started taking Healthy Cholesterol from October 30th. Soon there after I went for another blood test on November 15th. I received the last test report after I returned home from visiting you on the 9th. I was happy to observe that not only my HDL count had gone up 6 points, but also my LDL count had dropped to 139, that is more than 20 points and just with in 2 weeks. I stopped taking Lipitor (prescribed by my physician) just 3 days after starting it. I can’t wait to see my next cholesterol report after one month.

How do I thank you for creating miracles after miracles? The first miracle was when I’d visited you the first time in August of 2007 and was scheduled for a dental surgery the next day. After meeting you, I had canceled my dental surgery since your herbal medicine had given me relief with in 48 hours just as you had promised.

The second miracle – I had suffered from allergies all my life and it kept getting worse which made me leave my job. After meeting you in 2007 and taking the medicines prescribed by you regularly, I’m happy to say that in 2010 I didn’t get any allergy attacks and am confident that it will not come back again, at least not in the intense manner as it used to.

The third miracle – looks like my arthritis is also getting cured. It had become intense in 2008 & again in 2009. My physician told me that I will never get better, only worse & that I might require a knee replacement. Now I feel happy that the pain seems to have subsided instead of getting worse! In fact, my friends and family sere shocked to see me on the dance floor in a banquet dinner this November! And not for just one dance, rather for almost two hours on & off. No one could believe that my knees could tolerate so much activity.

I hope I continue to improve and enjoy the Vibrant Health that you talk about. I feel 72 years young where as I used to feel a lot older before. You truly have very positive impact on me and you’re a blessing on this planet earth.

How Acupuncture Saved My Wife

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 19, 2011 in Acupuncture with No Comments


I know it sounds very dramatic but for our family it was.
The story started many years ago back in May 1993. I had gone to work early that morning and everything was on course for a normal day in our family, but that was about to change and from then on acupuncture became an important part of our life.
It was a head-on car crash that broke the neck of an athletic 36-year-old woman and our story changed from that day on. She was in hospital for weeks with a contraption on her neck and head and drugged up to the eyeballs. This was just the start of something that took over our life. On leaving hospital she was so heavily drugged to stop the pain that she spent most days in bed and when she was up looked like a zombie walking around. Year after year slowly passed by and she was on still on medication for pain and now for depression caused by the persistent unrelenting pain which had now gone to her lower back because of the strange ways she would walk due to the pain.
By 2001 and unable to press the pedals of a car or turn neck without using hips to see to her side and still wearing one of the neck braces we had come to the end of the NHS and decided in desperation to try Acupuncture.

When I suggested it I was met with a negative reaction at first but as it was the last resort and nothing else had worked, she tried it and the results were remarkable. Up to this point she had still not got back the mobility in her neck and the pain was acute but after a 6-month intense course of Acupuncture with Tamara in Malmesbury her pain has reduced to, at times, normal. She is able to move her neck, drive a car (with auto) and in general be a normal person. She has what she calls a periodic service every couple of weeks to a month which allows her to live as normal a life as possible. She also combines it with Aromatherapy and these 2 therapies are the most important part of her life.

This was written by someone who was always a sceptic, who always believed in the NHS and thought complimentary therapies had no place, but I am now a true convert. I have my wife back and so do my kids; we lost her for a long time. So now when anyone tells me something they totally believe in I don’t knock it.

What may seem unbelievable and strange for you could have been in use with people who were civilized many centuries before we were.

Acupuncture – The Solution to Keeping Young

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 18, 2011 in Acupuncture with No Comments


The benefits people can get from acupuncture are tremendous. Besides the fact that it is a treatment for certain pains or diseases, it can also be a form of anti aging treatment. It can help reverse the aging process but eliminating signs on your body associated with aging. With acupuncture, you can regain your youthful glow again.

Although it may be hard to believe, acupuncture can actually be a good form of treatment for aging. The term that has been coined out to refer to this form of treatment is cosmetic acupuncture. Originally from Asia, this anti-aging medicine has stood the taste of time. It has been used for quite some time now. The best thing about it is that, it does not only treat you on the outside like the other forms of treatment such as Botox and Liposuction, but it goes a long way in keeping your general health up-to-date.

If the procedures are well followed, acupuncture can help your body produce collagen, and improve local circulation. Another benefit you will reap from this treatment is a remarkable reduction in the fine lines and wrinkles, and an improvement in your facial muscles. What this anti aging treatment does is that, it lifts and tightens muscle tissue hence making you regain your young looks and feelings.

Keep in mind that, your general body health is a product of all the different parts of your body working in a proper and balanced way. You therefore need to use specific treatment techniques targeting specific organs in your body to achieve this desired state. Its only when these organs work in a way that is balanced and efficient that you will feel healthy and young. This will strike positive emotions that will reenergise you and bring back the glow on your skin. Feeling youthful is nothing more other than regaining your lost energy and young looks.

What makes acupuncture a favourable choice of treatment today? To start with, its cost effective. When it comes to the operational bit of it, this procedure is less invasive and does not put much pressure on the body. As a result, the recovery process is short. The risks involved in this procedure are negligible. Some of which may include minor bruises that go away within 48 hours. No wonder many people are now opting for this non-traditional form of treatment. You only need twelve sessions on average to see the wonders acupuncture will do to your face and body.

The best thing about this form of treatment is that, it focuses on your entire body. Besides that, the entire procedure does not involve the use of any creams, gels and harmful ingredients. You however need to constantly visit your acupuncturist to monitor the effectiveness of the procedure. Whereas you may find the western medicine effective as well, they are however more expensive and only focus on one specific part of your body. It may therefore not be a cost effective option especially during this difficult economic situation.

You will never go wrong if you stick to products right from Mother Nature. That’s the guarantee this natural treatment offers you. Acupuncture can be supplemented by herbal therapies for more efficiency. Its important that you always get rid of all your present problems whether physical or emotional before you go in for acupuncture. In fact, the initial procedures involve a thorough medical check up and examination of the patients past.

With acupuncture, you are assured of an overall improvement in your body and mind. All you need to do is what you are recommended to do, and above all you need to be patient. You will get your young looks and a healthy body back on track.

The Ingredients In Herbal Colon Cleanse Products

Posted by Alternative Medicine on January 12, 2011 in Other with No Comments


An herbal colon cleanse is an alternative complimentary therapy that can help improve digestion, enhance energy, improve your digestive system and remove toxins from the colon and gastrointestinal tract. The natural herbs used to make colon cleansing products have laxative properties and can help reduce inflammation. Herbal colon cleanse products are available over the counter without a doctor’s prescription and contain some of the following ingredients.

Flaxseed is one of the most popular herbal, natural healing products used by adults and children. Flaxseed is not a vitamin or mineral. It contains soluble fiber – the part of plant-based foods that cannot be digested – which aids in stimulating your digestive tract and promoting bowel movements. Flaxseed also helps relieve symptoms associated with constipation and is also commonly used as a remedy for menopause symptoms. Flaxseed is well tolerated and has few, if any, side effects.

Psyllium husk is a natural herb that is commonly used by adults in the United States. Psyllium helps relieve irritation in the bowel and soothes intestinal discomfort. Psyllium husk has an oily texture that softens the stool and relieves symptoms associated with constipation. Along with other natural herbs, psyllium reduces bloating in the abdomen and relieves pain and discomfort caused by irritable bowel syndrome.

Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs used in complimentary therapeutic treatments. Chamomile is helpful for relieving stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence in children and adults. Chamomile is also used to treat gastrointestinal disorders and digestive irritation.

The National Center for Complementary Alternative Medicine explains that aloe vera is a tropical plant that has been used as an oral laxative for several centuries. Aloe vera is a safe, natural herb that when used in colon cleansing products, reduces pain and bloating associated with irritable bowl syndrome for most patients. The laxative characteristics of aloe vera come from aloe latex, a bitter liquid in the leaf of the plant.

Cascara sagrada is an herb derived from the bark of a tree. Cascara sagrada, used in herbal colon cleanse products, is a natural herb that works like a powerful laxative by promoting regular bowel movements. Cascara sagrada is also known for lowering potassium and sodium levels.

Tumeric is a member of the ginger family. Tumeric is used in herbal colon cleanse products to ward off abdominal pain caused by inflammation, spasms or an obstruction in the bowels or gastrointestinal tract. Magnesium oxide is an important ingredient in colon cleansing products because it can introduce good bacteria into your system. Hydrochloric acid is used for reducing constipation. Hydrochloric acid contains peptides that work by breaking down proteins in the colon and may eliminate dangerous toxins.