Healing Your Body Naturally: Antioxidants
Posted on September 17, 2009
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Green and leafy. These are two of the most important things to remember when you are looking for foods high in antioxidants. But this is really not new information for most people, especially those who are natural healing proponents. But many people still aren�t sure why antioxidants are good for the body, or how they help.
Antioxidants boost the immune system. Basically, antioxidants help to protect the body at the cellular level. This can lower your risk of illnesses and infections. The chlorophyll in green, leafy vegetables will also help to protect the internal organs from damage. Plus, antioxidants promote the cleansing of the colon. It is important to take into consideration where your green, leafy vegetables come from; poor environmental conditions in the growing area can lower the vegetable’s ability to provide you with antioxidants. If this is a concern, take an antioxidant supplement.
Is Homeopathy a Hoax?
Posted on September 11, 2009
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Homeopathy has long been questioned as a legitimate medical practice. Most Western medical practitioners feel that homeopathy is completely ineffective. When any significant effects are seen in the use of homeopathy, most of these medical professionals credit those results to the placebo effect, a psychological response to the belief that something � like a medication – will help, making the brain believe that it does help.
Most of the theory behind homeopathy is, in fact, contradictory to the basic scientific principles of pharmaceutical medical practices. This is because there is no convincing or substantial scientific evidence to suggest that homeopathy is effective. But this is not to say that homeopathy doesn’t work. Some people do find relief from their medical symptoms through the use of homeopathic products. And while Western medicine feels these results are psychological, homeopaths feel that not only do homeopathic treatments work, they work both physiologically and psychologically.
Should We Be Skeptical of Iridology?
Posted on September 5, 2009
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It is believed that the human iris cannot change during the course of a person’s life. The iris forms when the person is still in the uterus, and though there can be some color changes within the iris during the first year of a person’s life, this is generally the only natural change that occurs. Some glaucoma patients get iris variations after treatment, but there are no other changes to the iris, despite illness. This, of course, brings about the question what is the iridologist looking at if a person’s eye never changes?
Iridologists and proponents of iridology generally feel that the problems a person has, particularly illnesses, can be determines by whatever variations are visible in the iris. They do not necessarily look for changes in the iris. However, it can also be argued that if the iridologist is not looking for changes, he is not able to diagnose any illnesses at all.
Reflexology: Agony of De-Feet (and Hands)
Posted on August 29, 2009
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Reflexology is a fascinating practice that involves massage-like therapies on the body to induce specific physical responses in the patient. Reflexologists use pressure and rubbing techniques much like massage therapists do. But the reflexologist is limited to the hands and feet, where a massage therapist concentrates on the entire body.
Reflexologists go by reflexology charts to pinpoint specific parts of the feet and hands that are linked to specific parts of the body. Reflexology charts are much like the charts used by acupuncturists. And this makes sense in part because some reflexologists are trying to change a patient’s Qi, much in the same way acupuncturists do. Like acupuncture and to some degree, massage therapy, there is little conclusive scientific evidence of the efficacy of reflexology. But this does not stop people from seeking the treatment for mild and sometimes even severe illnesses.
Healing Your Body Naturally: Drug Difficulties
Posted on August 22, 2009
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There is a lot that can be said for natural healing and alternative medical therapies. While some therapies don’t have very conclusive research results, the benefits of some of these therapies are often a much better option than resulting to traditional medicine and the prescription drug market.
It is a fact that there are an increasing number of problems resulting from prescription drug abuse, overuse, and misuse. While prescription drug abuse falls on the patient, overuse and misuse falls on the doctor and the drug companies. Many drugs are prescribed for illnesses that will not respond to drug therapy. Other drugs are given in doses that are higher than needed, risking the patient’s overall health. And some physicians prescribe contraindicated drugs to a patient causing serious medical problems. Of course this is not to say that prescription drugs are bad; they should be used for their intended, proven purposes, especially in emergencies.
Consistency and Reflexology
Posted on August 15, 2009
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With most therapies, whether they are traditional medical therapies, physical therapies, alternative therapies, or natural therapies, consistency is key. Keeping up with treatments that help you feel better and lessen or relieve your symptoms is the ideal way to help your body deal with an illness.
Reflexology, like other alternative therapies such as massage therapy, should be done regularly if the patient is to reap long-lasting benefits. In China, reflexology is done six times a week for a period of two weeks; then the patient is reevaluated to see what his or her status is. For home reflexology, it can be as easy as having your partner give you a hand massage every night before bed, or using a foot roller while you watch TV or eat dinner. The best way to boost the efficacy of reflexology is to do it consistently, even if that is only for five or ten minutes every day.
Why Has Iridology Not Been Approved In the US?
Posted on August 9, 2009
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Many proponents of alternative therapy wonder at why some of the available therapies, treatments, and diagnostic practices have not been approved by the United States government for established medical use. While the reasons for the lack of approval vary according to the alternative therapy method in question, in the case of Iridology it is simply a matter of a complete lack of scientific evidence of the efficacy of the method.
There have been several scientific studies of Iridology performed by researchers and the results of each of these studies have been almost identical. The general conclusion is that the effectiveness of iridology as a diagnostic tool is no better than chance. In other words, it is statistically just as likely for a person to guess at a patient’s illness as it is for a trained Iridologist to assess the illness correctly. Because there is no conclusive evidence to prove that Iridology works, the United States government has not approved it as a legitimate diagnostic tool.
Criticizing Reiki
Posted on August 2, 2009
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As with almost all other forms of alternative medicine and natural healing therapies, reiki is subject to come criticism. While there are no known direct negative effects of receiving reiki treatment, some members of the professional medical community fear that recipients of reiki (and other alternative medicine therapies) might forgo conventional methods of treatment in favor of the reiki treatment. While this is certainly a legitimate concern, many reiki practitioners have begun to advise their patients to seek conventional medical help in addition to receiving reiki.
Of course, there is no complete, definitive evidence proving the validity or efficacy of reiki. Most of the benefits reaped from reiki are attributed to mindset and the placebo effect. While this may be true, it is definitely not harmful to the patient. Some of the most disturbing criticism comes from religious circles that deplore reiki as a method of communicating with “Satan” or other occult practices. This should be viewed as subjective as reiki is not directly linked with established religion in any way.
Essential Oil Blends and Their Use in Aromatherapy
Posted on July 27, 2009
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People who seek aromatherapy treatments generally are looking for either a way to organically treat an emotional disturbance, or a way to enhance another alternative medical treatment. While the use of aromatherapy in conjunction with other alternative medicine therapies is generally overseen by the practitioner of the other therapy (i.e. an acupuncturist or a massage therapist), aromatherapy for emotional disturbance is generally applied at home.
This involves the study and correct use of different essential oils in blends that will help the person achieve the desired effect. Some of the most common blends are those used for energy, anxiety, insomnia and stress. Some stores sell pre-made blends for common ailments like these, and if you don’t have a lot of experience in blending oils this might be a good place to start. But for those who are more experienced with oils, blends can be made at home with a basic selection of essential oils.
The Philosophy of Herbalism
Posted on July 21, 2009
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Herbalists, or practitioners of herbal medicine, believe in the use of herbal medicines to treat common medical complaints. This is not to say that herbalists do not use, or believe in the use of, conventional pharmaceutical medications. Many herbalists simply think that the use of pharmaceuticals should be limited to emergency situations.
So the question remains, why do herbalists believe in the use of herbs to treat everyday problems and illnesses? Many herbal medicines are thought to actually help the person not only defeat the symptoms of a cold or other medical problem, but to actually help build a resistance to the illnesses. Herbs can do this because they provide natural and nutritional benefits to the person as opposed to introducing foreign chemicals to the person’s body. Herbs can also boost the human immune system, which in turn helps the person build resistance to disease.