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Do not make the mistake of treating alternate medicine like a cult science. Do not expect immediate results that traditional or scientific medicine cannot provide. In fact, alternate medicine always works slower than traditional solutions. It is effective because it adopts a completely different approach towards the analysis of the problem in the human body.

Acupuncture and acupressure focuses on the energy points in the body and identify which energy point has been affected by the illness. The alternative treatment focuses on clearing the jam inside the body and facilitates the flow of energy in the proper manner again.

It is impossible for a scientific medicine to measure the so called flow of energy accurately. In such a scenario, one has to rely on the efficacy of the results to check whether the treatment is effective or not. Natural therapy focuses on getting rid of artificial substances from the body. The individual is advised to go back to a natural life involving a lot of physical activity, natural diet and absence of technology.

Some solutions suggest consumption of fruits on an increased rate for a specific period of time. Unlike antibiotics which identify the microbial organisms responsible for the disease, these solutions look at the entire body as a whole. Some may work for you while others may not. Some ailments may be curable while other ailments may simply be controlled.

In such a scenario, it is advisable to go in with specific expectations. Trying to pretend that all your problems will be solved by opting for alternative treatment is just not going to work.

 

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An abrasion is a small cut or scratch at the upper most layer of your skin. While most small abrasions are harmless, there is always a chance of infection of they are not attended to. However, running off to the nearest pharmacy every time you get a nick doesn’t make sense so here are some useful home remedies to treat abrasions and act as quick first aid:

1. Apply some cayenne pepper to the wound. While this may burn a bit, it will stop any bleeding almost instantly!
2. Applying a little bit of garlic oil is also an effective home remedy that prevents the skin from swelling up.
3. Aloe Vera gel, often taken fresh from the plant, helps to soothe irritation caused by abrasions.
4. Tea tree oil is natural anti-septic and can be used on small cuts to prevent infections.
5. Crush marigold petals and leaves from parsley into a paste and apply them over wounds to heal them faster!
6. Boil some tea leaves and cool the concoction down. Then pour this over a wound to reduce bacterial growth and prevent infections.
7. Turmeric has long been known for its natural healing tendencies. Mix a bit of turmeric powder with boiled water and apply it over the wound. It’s a great natural anti-septic.
8. Make a paste out of the leaves of dock and apply it over cuts and nicks. It helps to speed up the healing process!
9. The oil of clove is a very strong anti-septic too. You can apply this over wounds to kill germs and bacteria and help it heal quicker. Beware though, it just might sting a bit!

 

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Everyone wants to have lush hair that will add to their good looks. However, high stress levels and unhealthy lifestyles are leading an increasing number of people to suffer from hair loss. Bald spots are a major worry for millions of people around the globe. There are many remedies that can be bought at a pharmacy that claim to treat balding. However, these are often expensive and usually not very effective. There are some simple home remedies that one can follow to reduce hair fall and improve the quality and quantity of hair. Here are a few tips:

1. Poor blood circulation to the scalp is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Rub your scalp vigorously with your fingertips after washing your head with cold water. This improves circulation and reduces hair loss.
2. Leave a few pieces of Indian Gooseberry socked in coconut oil overnight. Applying this concoction to your scalp and hair for at least an hour before washing is an effective home remedy to reduce hair loss and add shine and volume to your hair.
3. Have a glass of lettuce and spinach juice everyday to curb hair fall.
4. Mix the juice of alfalfa with equal amounts of carrot and lettuce juice. Have a glass of this mixture everyday and it will quickly stop hair fall and increase hair growth.
5. Boil some leaves of Margosa and use it as a final rinse after washing your hair. Not only does it reduce hair fall but it is known to stimulate hair follicles, promoting new hair growth. It is also known to prevent premature graying of hair and add luster too!

Herbs can be used for any time of ailments. Any pains, burns, bites, aches anything can be treated completely using herbal medicines. Since herbal medicines are made out of plant extracts there will be no traces of chemicals in it. This factor reduces the risks of side reaction. Hence this medicine can be used by people of any age group. It can be consumed by very small babies and also by very old aged people.

Medication for children should be done very carefully. Some of the allopathic medicines will make the children sleepy and some creates itches or swellings in their body. If you use herbal medicines you will not face any of these problems at all. There are many mild herbal medicines available which can help to cure the bruises or pains or viral infections that occurs in children. Some of the most commonly used herbs are berries, garlic, and alovera. There are many online sites which gives you the full benefits of any herbal medicine that you are looking for. You can also order them online.

The most significant matter to think about the benefit of herbal products is that they’re used as one of the illness preventive methods. That implies these herbal products are best used to prevent medication. This is the reason that most of the herbal goods are promoted and sold as supplement. They help in growing the level of vitamin in the body which helps to avoid many diseases.

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Herbal Treatment is a method to cure various types of diseases or disorders using herbal products. This treatment is also called as herbalism. This treatment is continued from ancient days onwards. These herbal products can be made at home using natural ingredients for example herbs, fruits, vegetables, leaves and different flowers. Herbal medicines are free of chemicals and hence they will not be harmful for your health. These medicines cannot replace the pharmaceutical medicines, but herbal medicines will not have any side effects when compared to allopathic medicines. These medicines are not costly as well. This will be available everywhere and hence it is very easy to get these herbal medicines. Many people have experienced that these medicines are good remedy for many diseases especially for children having diarrhea.

Almost all disorders can be treated with Herbal medicines. These are mainly extracted from the plants. For example Aloe Vera is a good herbal medicine for burns. If any cut happens in any part of your body apply some coffee powder which will reduce the bleeding. This is also one sort of herbal treatment. Another example is garlic which is used as an antibiotic, ginger for solving your stomach problem and many more are available in the list.

Herbal treatment is taken aged people. Reason behind this is – they are not harmful and are free from all side effects. This motivates the age people to continue having gerbil medicine for a long period of time. Apart from aged people, toddlers and small babies can also consume herbal medicines. Due to all these reasons Herbal treatments are attaining the higher level of popularity day by day.

Nowadays many of the doctors recommend herbal medicines along with the any other types of medications. This proves that herbal medicines are more suited with any other medications.

In today’s world, herbal treatment plays a significant role in curing various types of diseases. This treatment can be used to solve any kind of disorder. That is the best thing about this treatment.So go for herbal treatment instead of high dose medicines or chemical usages.

Herbal treatment cannot cause any harmful effects in your body. The natural products like vegetables, fruits, leaves etc are the elements of herbal treatment. You know that no chemical component can be found in these. So, taking herbal treatment for long days will be safe from all sides. Everyone wants permanent cure from any disease. This is only possible with herbal treatment. With this treatment you can cure a disease from which you are suffering for long. Herbal treatment can be done with the help of an expert or by you. From internet or many books you can be well known about the effective natural product and its process to apply. You will find all the required elements around you very easily.

It is not possible for everybody to afford the cost of medical treatment. But the cost of herbal treatment is very less. You can afford the cost of natural products. Herbal treatment is best effective for beautification and skin diseases. If you have any skin diseases like eczema or yeast then go for herbal treatment only to get the best effectiveness. The problems can be cured by applying the paste of some herbal products or by taking some products so that it can work internally. Apart from this, any problem related to hair or nail men and women prefer herbal treatment nowadays. A beautiful and presentable look can be achieved by using good herbal products. Herbal treatment is the best method anybody can choose in this world.

It is used to treat many diseases, ailments and pains by inserting needles in various parts of the body. The underlying concept of acupuncture is that pain and disease result from an imbalance in the body. Specifically between the forces of Yin and Yang. The TCM belief is that acupuncture can restore the harmony between these two forces.

Specifics About the Acupuncture Procedure

It can take up to an hour and a half to have a proper consultation with an acupuncturist. Once you start treatment, between two to ten needles are used in any one session. The needles often get inserted into hands, legs, feet and arms. The sensation the patient feels is much more pronounced than if the needles are inserted into the torso.

There are other techniques such as electro-acupuncture and moxibustion that provide support to the main acupuncture program. All of them together treat the symptoms that are causing problems for the patient.

What Acupuncture Can Heal

While acupuncture is used to treat many diseases in the East including arthritis, asthma, ulcers, eye disease, mental illness and more, there are more questions about its healing modalities in the West.

Acupuncture may be the most well know of all of the healing methods of Chinese medicine. While long a controversial treatment, especially in the West, the most recent evidence suggests that acupuncture can be effective for some maladies.
For example, acupuncture has shown to be somewhat effectual in preventing nausea. Another study indicates that when combined with other traditional infertility methods, acupuncture can improve the success rates.

Lower back and neck pain have also been known to respond to acupuncture.

That is why acupuncture is more widely accepted in the East than the West, pending more conclusive scientific results.

Chinese medicine is one of the most ancient medicinal methods. There have been various ancient medicine systems like Ayurveda, Chinese medicines and others. The Chinese system of medicine is one that has stood the test of time and is still one of the best medicinal systems. There are various reasons for the use of Chinese system of medicine even today.

The main reason for the use of this system of medicine is that it is based on natural cures. The herbs, animal products and other aspects of the treatment are those that do not cause any toxicity in the body. The modern system of health medicine has been using various toxic drugs to treat diseases. This may cause the acute treatment of the disease to be possible, but it also causes various residual problems like toxicity in the liver and kidney because of the medications that are consumed.

The herbal medicine system in the Chinese medicine uses the various naturally occurring plants to be used as medicines to heal certain diseases. Other than the herbal therapy that is used, the Acupuncture is a well known method of Chinese medicine, where the small pins are used to prick in areas where the problem may be present. The Chinese medicine has cures for many of the diseases with the Acupuncture system.

There are no side effects or complications of the Chinese system of medicine and this is a major advantage. On the other hand, there are some limitations too in the Chinese medicine system. The main limitation is that the Chinese medicine system does not have a cure for all the diseases that can be seen. There are many modern diseases that have no cure in this ancient system of medicine, mainly because these diseases were not prevalent at the time when this medicine system was popular.

Though there are many people who do not believe in the Chinese medicine system, it is becoming more and more popular. There are many reasons for the growing popularity of the Chinese medicine. There are many people who suffer from some kind of chronic diseases. These diseases have had no effect in spite of being treated with the best medications that are available.

As there has been no effect in spite of the treatment, people who suffer from these diseases want to try some other method to cure the disease. The best method that can be used to cure the disease is alternate medicine therapies. There is a long list of alternate therapies that are available, once the Western system of medicine has failed. This includes the use of herbal therapy, Ayurvedic therapy, Yoga and also Chinese medicine.

Many people prefer the Chinese medicine because of the many advantages that it has over the other methods. The Chinese system of medicine has been found to be more effective than the other alternate therapies that are commonly used. Treatments like acupuncture have been compared with other systems of medicine in treating specific disease and have scored well over the other treatments.

The lack of any side effects is another reason for many people trying to use this medicine system. There is a lack of any toxic chemicals entering the body. There are also no complications that arise because of using the Chinese medicine. Either the disease is cured or it is not cured, but the use of this system of medicine does not worsen the condition or complicate matters. This is another important advantage of this medicine system. The final advantage is that the Chinese medicine is much more economic as far as the pricing is concerned, when other treatments including surgical treatment are concerned.

Homeopathic medicine attempts to treat symptoms by exposing the patient to a diluted substance that would cause the same symptoms. For example, if a patient’s symptoms are similar to those caused by mercury poisoning, they would be treated with a highly diluted form of mercury. When a homeopathic expert says that the formulas are highly diluted, they are not exaggerating. Many of these formulas are diluted by one billion or more parts of water. Similar theories are used to make vaccines and to treat allergies in common pharmaceuticals.

Critics of homeopathy point to the high levels of dilution to call this alternative medicine treatment option a hoax. After all, some homeopathic potions are diluted to the point that no active molecules of the original substance can even be found. While official studies often report conflicting information, anecdotal evidence proves that homeopathic therapy is extremely effective for certain individuals.

Because there is virtually no chance of side effects with homeopathic medicine, there’s little harm in trying one as an alternative medicine to harsher prescriptions. This natural medicine can even be taken along with traditional over-the-counter or prescription medications. With the wide variety of options available in homeopathic remedies, the real problem comes in finding the right one for an individual problem. Many symptoms overlap, and it can be a bit of trial and error to find the correct combination.

Benefits to this alternative medicine are numerous. Of course, it has already been mentioned that this is an effective, all-natural treatment option with few side effects. It is also provides rapid and complete solutions when the right formula is found. Homeopathic remedies work with the immune system, and once relief is provided, treatment can be stopped immediately.

The zang-fu organs make up the inner core of the human body. Everything is connected through a system of channels and blood vessels within the human body. Qi, or Chi, is the energy force that carries information that is expressed to the external world through the jingluo system. Traditional Chinese medicine analyzes the entire system before focusing on correcting the system by making readjustments.

Traditional Chinese medicine evaluates the patient by looking at the cause, location, and type of disease ad well as body resistance. The resulting treatment plan is based on the symptoms and the differences in presentation. For this reason, many patients with the same disease may be given a different treatment plan and vice versa.

While traditional Chinese medicine uses a variety of treatment methods that appear to be very different on the surface, each one is attempting to realign the patient’s Chi, or inner energy forces, to correct any problems with the zang-fu organs. Acupuncture may try to realign the body’s energy flow through external means, while herbal remedies attempt to do much the same from the inside. Qigong is an exercise method used in traditional Chinese medicine that also tries to return the body’s information and energy flows back to normal by regulating the Chi.

The theories of yin-yang and the five elements provides a basis for traditional Chinese medicine. Yin and yang is a theory that there is a wide range of opposites in the universe and in the body itself. The five elements are fire, earth, wood, metal, and water. Similar to the yin-yang theory, this philosophical concept is used to explain the relationship between the natural environment and the pathology of the human body.

Qigong, pronounced Chi Kung, improves the immunity responses, increases self-healing and self-recovery, and enhances the body’s regeneration capabilities. It can help chronic conditions like degenerative bone disease, diabetes, allergies, asthma, hypertension, cancer, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Other major uses of qigong include building bone density, managing stress, cancer treatment, arthritis, physical rehabilitation, back pain, and general health maintenance.

The Chinese Health Qigong Association officially recognized four different exercises for health purposes in 2003. The tendon-changing classic is known as Yi Jin Jing. Wu Qin Xi is referred to as the five frolicking animals. Liu Zi Jue is the art of expiration in six sounds. Eight pieces of brocade or eight excellent movements is known as Ba Duan Jin. Each of the four is a standard Qigong exercise for general health maintenance.

While qigong is an alternative medicine technique that has a spiritual element, the physical part involves movement, stretching, self-massage, and breathing. Simple qigong exercises can be done anywhere and at anytime. At its most simple form, qigong can be performed by doing the three intentful corrections that adjust the posture, the breath, and the mind.

The first intentful correction is to improve posture to unblock energy flows, increase stamina, and reduce potential injuries. Controlled breathing is the second intentful correction. This involves abdominal breathing where the lower abdomen fills completely with air before the chest and then empties during the exhale. Finally, the third intentful correction involves creating a mental state of awareness to reduce levels of stress and achieve pure awareness of the moment. This awareness tries to reduce thoughts of everyday problems and allows you to concentrate on what you are doing at that exact point in time.

Currently, reiki is not regulated in the United States although it is officially recognized as an alternative medicine treatment. Almost anyone can learn to practice reiki regardless of their educational background. Many wellness centers and natural health stores offer reiki treatments, and some doctor’s offices are beginning to offer this type of therapy.

Reiki works on the theory that there is a universal source of energy that promotes the body’s own healing process. The reiki practitioner is trained to tap into this energy and help it flow more freely into the patient’s body. Traditionally, reiki was a form of self-care, but it has become more common for a reiki expert to administer a treatment to a patient. The most interesting part of the reiki experience is that it can be done from a distance. For example, a reiki therapist can perform a treatment on a patient over the phone or even over the internet.

During an in-person reiki session, the patient can either sit or lie down while fully clothed. The reiki practitioner places their hands just above the body with their palms down. They use a set of 12 to 15 hand positions, holding each one for two to five minutes or until they feel that the flow of energy has stopped. This flow can best be described as a hot or tingly sensation that the practitioner feels in their hands, and the patient feels in the treated area.

Depending on the health needs of the patient, the number of required sessions can vary. In most cases, there will be about four appointments that last for 30 to 90 minutes. Reiki sessions given within a health care setting can be much shorter.

Chinese medicine is full of natural methods to relieve nausea and other cancer symptoms without harsh chemicals. An ancient Chinese herbal remedy is showing great promise in animal studies for its potential to not only reduce the nausea that comes with chemotherapy treatments, but it also seems to make the treatments more effective. This breakthrough appears to be a win-win for everyone concerned.

Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng is a professor of pharmacology at Yale University. Among his studies of Chinese medicine and other alternative medicine treatments, he has been studying the effects of huang quin tang, a herbal preparation that has been used in China for over 1,800 years to help stomach disorders. This remedy is a combination of four different Chinese herbs.

In the study, Dr. Cheng split a set of mice into two separate groups. One group was given chemotherapy drugs alone, while the other group was given both chemotherapy and the huang quin tang herbal remedy from traditional Chinese medicine. The second group lost less weight than the first group. In addition, new cells were generated in their gastro-intestinal tract and less inflammation was seen. As an unexpected bonus, more cancer cells were destroyed than in the first group of mice.

The Chinese medicine herbal remedy of huang quin tang is used in China today to relieve diarrhea and other gastro-intestinal disorders. The remedy is a combination of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, Scutelleria baicalensis Georgi, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, and Ziziphus jujuba Mill. The study did not determine if all four herbs are required to achieve any benefit, or if one is responsible for each benefit that was seen. Dr. Cheng, Yale University, and the National Cancer Institute are investigating the potential to release this formula for human use in the Western world.

This could be an answer to many problems for chemotherapy patients who experience excessive nausea with their treatments. Instead of experiencing unrelieved symptoms or relying on harsh chemical treatments, they may be able to take advantage of the same tried and true herbal remedy that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries.

Many people suffer from uncontrolled anxiety on a daily basis and look to alternative medicine for natural herbal remedies. Most everyone experience anxiety from time to time. It’s normal and was once a valuable survival instinct. However, if excessive anxiety is felt on a daily basis and interferes with a person’s normal functioning, it should be treated. Alternative medicine offers several herbal remedies for those who would prefer to try them instead of harsher prescription medications.

The passionflower herb has been used throughout history to control anxiety and insomnia. Studies have reported that passionflower has a similar effect as the class of anxiety medications known as benzodiazepines which include drugs like valium and xanax. This herbal alternative medicine does come with side effects including nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and rapid heartbeat. Care should be taken when combining any other herb or medicine with passionflower.

Mind and body techniques have also shown to be effective alternative medicine remedies for anxiety. This area includes massage, yoga, tai chi, meditation, and biofeedback. It appears that when the body relaxes, so does the mind.

Valerian is a root that has traditionally helped people with insomnia get a better night’s sleep. It is also known to help with mild anxiety. Valerian can take several weeks to work and shouldn’t be used for extended periods of time. Side effects can include dizziness, headaches, and heart palpitations. Don’t take valerian with other sedatives or alcohol.

Kava is another herb that has been found to help with anxiety. However, the US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about supplements containing Kava. Numerous cases of liver damage have been reported after using this herbal remedy.

Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine technique that is virtually side effect free. Many people find that certain scents instantly relax them and induce a calm state. Lavender is the most well-known fragrance that brings relaxation and reduces anxiety. The essential oils from certain plants can be added to infusers, bath water, and massage oils for aromatherapy. In addition to lavender, other relaxing scents include bergamot, geranium, cypress, jasmine, rose, melissa, sandalwood, neroli, and ylang-ylang.

One type of alternative medicine provider is a Doctor of Naturopathy. A Naturopathic doctor, designated as an ND as opposed to an MD, bases their practice on the human body’s inner healing ability. They instruct their patients to modify their diet, exercise routines, and lifestyle and use new natural therapies to increase their innate ability to prevent and fight disease. Instead of focusing on a single part of the body or a set of symptoms, an ND views the patient as a whole person with interrelated systems. When a patient chooses an ND, they experience the best combination of modern medicine and natural medicine. In order to treat their patients, Naturopathic physicians seek out the root cause of an illness by following six basic principles.

An ND’s first principle is to let nature heal. The body has an innate capability to heal itself. A Naturopath will find and remove any barrier to the self-healing process like poor diet or unhealthy habits.

The second principle is to identify and treat the root cause of an illness. The ND understands that the symptoms will continue to return until the initial cause is corrected. They do not attempt to simply cover up symptoms with medications.

Do no harm is the third principle in the alternative medicine technique. A Naturopath will use safe procedures and healing substances like supplements, herbal extracts, and homeopathic remedies that have a low potential for side effects. They will only suppress symptoms when absolutely necessary because these are the body’s way of naturally trying to self-heal. Symptoms are suppressed if they become dangerous. An ND will see each patient as an individual that needs a customized diagnosis and treatment plan.

A doctor of Naturopathy’s fourth principle is to educate patients about nutrition, exercise, and relaxation techniques. The ND uses the fifth principle to treat the whole person as an individual with their own unique needs each of which contribute to their health. The sixth principle is to prevent illness. An ND will proactively evaluate heredity and other risk factors to prevent disease.

The theory of Chinese medicine revolves around the philosophical concept of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang is a long held  Chinese idea of living in harmony with nature and having opposing balance, even going so far as to correspond with the four seasons and the 24 hour cycle of 4 time zones throughout the day – sunrise, noon, sunset, and evening. Everything in the universe is divided into two parts, the Yin and Yang: darkness versus light, feminine versus masculine, rest versus activity, north versus south, and right versus left, cold versus hot.
However, when it comes to Chinese medicine specifically, in terms of physiological functions, Yin and Yang can be split into form versus energy, contraction versus expansion, below versus above, and growing versus generating. This definition of Yin and Yang is very important in Chinese medicine, because it can help a skilled practitioner determine where an imbalance of chi – or, a persons life force -  is, and how such an imbalance of chi can be fixed. For example, Chinese medicine teaches that Yin places of the body consist of the front of the body as well as the inner and solid organs like the liver and kidney, while Yang places of the body consist of the back of the body as well as the exterior and hollow organs like the stomach or intestine. If one were to have stomach cramps, for example, that would be an imbalance of Yang – thus, Chinese medicine dictates that it can be balanced out by treatment of giving a person more Yin by making a traditional herbal prescription. In a more simplified example of Chinese medicine at work, if a person is cold – a Yin sign – then such an ailment can be cured with heat – a Yang sign. However, because there are so many aspects of Yin and Yang in Chinese medicine, it takes a professional to help determine how to keep ones body balanced properly if there is an imbalance within.

Chinese medicine is a philosophy based off of how the human body works as a universe in itself. The basic concept of Chinese medicine consists of balance within the body and its interconnected systems, focusing on the flow of body fluids – chi. The internal and external philosophy is one based on how internal emotions can lead to an imbalance of chi, causing external symptoms to manifest and point out certain illnesses occurring within the body.
This idea in Chinese medicine believes the development of disease is based on emotional disturbance. Sorrow generally reduces chi, and affects the lungs by causing asthmatic symptoms like irregular breathing, as the lungs control respiratory reactions. Fear represses chi and effects the kidneys, and such imbalance can lead to anything from urinary problems to poor short-term memory, as the kidneys effect the bladder and are a key part in telling the body to distribute oxygen to the brain. Anger stimulates chi and affects the liver, an imbalance that causes irritability and headaches, as the liver produces the biochemical’s that help process food and nutrients. Brooding affects chi of the spleen by congealing it, causing digestive issues. Joy calms chi and affects the heart; and though joy may not seem like an emotion that would hinder the body with negative effects, Chinese medicine deems that too much of a good thing can lead to excess stress and an inability to stay restful.
These are the seven key emotions in Chinese medicine. Having an imbalance of emotions – anything from too much emotion to too little emotion – can cause negative effects on one’s chi, disrupting the body and causing disease or illness. Luckily, by understanding the symptoms listed, a skilled practitioner in Chinese medicine can figure out which part of the body is being affected by an imbalance of chi, and easily help rebalance the body.

For many people, it’s hard to imagine the pain that couples face when they’re dealing with infertility. Well-meaning family members and friends try to console them, if they’re aware of the problem. Infertility is a topic that’s somewhat taboo, reserved for hushed conversations with close friends. Ultimately, couples are left alone to deal with the monthly heartbreak of yet another negative pregnancy test.

Typically, it takes six months to a year of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant before a physician recommends that a couple undergo diagnostic tests. Fertility experts seem to agree that 40 percent of the time, the man has a medical issue that’s preventing pregnancy and 40 percent of the time, it’s the woman’s health problem. The remaining 20 percent of cases involve fertility concerns for both the man and woman. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than seven million (nearly 12 percent) of women between the ages of 15 and 44 experience infertility.

There are a variety of medical procedures available to couples. Doctors may prescribe ovulation-enhancing drugs like Clomid or offer outpatient procedures like in utero insemination. More involved treatments like in vitro fertilization require multiple visits to the doctor, thousands of dollars in medication, and minor surgical procedures. Except in states where it’s illegal to do so, many insurance companies exclude fertility treatments and related prescriptions from coverage, leaving couples to bear the high costs themselves.

Before undertaking expensive procedures to get pregnant, many couples explore alternative treatments like acupuncture. Practitioners strategically place very thin needles into the patient’s body. This technique for bringing the body into balance has gained wide acceptance and popularity when it comes to treating infertility. In fact, many physicians who do in vitro fertilization strongly recommend that their patients get acupuncture treatments to compliment the procedure. Some infertile couples turn to naturopathy for help, a process that involves increased exercise, better nutrition, and improved emotional health. Massage is another popular treatment that can help some infertile couples. Alternative medicine can be an affordable source of healing and help for couples having problems getting pregnant.

The doctrine of century’s old, ancient wisdom held the belief that the body was made of energy, with nerves transmitting electrical currents throughout the spine and brain. From this frame of reference, Chinese doctors formed a distinctive medical system called Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, that diagnoses and cure illnesses.

At its core, TCM differs from traditional Western medicine in that it stems from a holistic interpretation of the world, as detailed in Daoism, with treatments based mainly on different syndromes—or misconstrued energies. So, while a Western doctor may treat an ailment with pain pills or surgery, Chinese doctors would prescribe something like Tai Chi in order to lessen the occurrence of the ailment by redirecting, or realigning, energy flows, thereby getting rid of the syndrome.

In essence, scientific diagnoses and subsequent treatments in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine are largely based on the theories known as the yin-yang and five elements. These theories relate natural marvels and the rules of nature to the teachings of physiological behaviors and pathological changes of the body, and its relationships that interrelate and continually interact.
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The most common therapies employed by TCM doctors are herbal medicine treatments, acupuncture, and exercises known as qigong. Commonly, these treatments are used together and compliment each other, working to aid different parts of the body in unique ways. Herbal medicine targets the internal organs and nourishes them, while qigong aims to restore an orderly flow of information inside the nervous system. Acupuncture is beneficial in that is stimulates specific areas of the outer body, easing tension and restoring calmness.

While these treatments are very different in how they are performed and what they do, they all have the same principal objective to heal the body and share insight into the nature of the body and how it interacts within the flow the energy of the universe.

Given the term ‘alternative medicine,’ TCM is becoming more popular in the United States and is practiced by millions, gaining acceptance, recognition, and a place within Western medicine.

Ancient Japanese remedies harboring the wisdom of ages have merged with modern technology to develop unique supplements that feature herbs used for centuries to promote health and well being. Rooted in sacred philosophy, and revered for their healing powers, the three herbs listed below provide nutrition, increase immunity, give total body cleansing and inspire invigoration and the cultivation of happiness and tranquility.

Eleuthero Root

Known as an "adaptogen," an extraordinary element offering a broad range of health benefits, the Eleuthero Root reduces the effects of stress on the body in a multitude of ways. Providing improvement in memory, increased endurance, and defense against radiological activity, the Eleuthero Root stimulates immune function and aids the body in total health.

Believed by scientists to help prevent "adrenal burnout" caused by ongoing physical or mental challenges, it also acts as an anti-inflammatory that decreases cortisol levels. In addition, it contains amazing chemoprotective qualities that protect healthy tissues from the toxic effects of anticancer drugs.

Albizzia Bark

Used worldwide by scientists and researchers alike, bark from the Albizzia plant is a soothing agent and herbal remedy used to alleviate emotional aliments and decrease stress. Known as "the herb of happiness," Albizzia Bark possesses natural ingredients that refresh the mind, calm the spirit, and restore a sense of tranquility and peace.

Dating back hundreds of years, and part of ancient traditions that celebrated the bark’s de-stressing abilities, Albizzia Bark is completely non-chemical and has been shown by researchers to contain antioxidants that encourage emotional well being.

Dimocarpus Longan

Used for centuries to nurture the health of the heart, this super-fruit revitalizes the blood, invigorates the spleen, and adds vibrant luster to the skin. A staple of the earliest holistic remedies known to man, Longan also treats stomach aches, insomnia, and has even been shown to help cure amnesia.

An essential energy-providing element, Longan enhances mood to invite a contented, happy mind, and supplies the body with stamina against physical strain and mental stress. Supporting the immune system and calming the nervous system, Longan truly does it all.

If you are seeking alternative health treatments and have an interest in Chinese medicine, consider the Reishi Mushroom and Lycium Berry, both of which contain incredible health benefits and invite tranquility, boost your body’s natural immunities, and harvest health and harmony.

Reishi Mushroom

Few things on this earth are as powerful and advantageous to your health as Reishi Mushrooms. Providing four-fold benefits that contribute to physical health, hearten happiness, promote longevity, and increase wisdom, this rare mushroom has achieved legendary status with its medicinal properties.

Believed by Taoists to be the elixir of youth, emperors and kings alike drank Reishi Mushroom teas to encourage a long life and achieve vitality. Containing strong antioxidant properties, these mushrooms boost immunity and act as a natural anti-inflammatory to treat many ailments associated with inflammation and neuralgia.
Because of the therapeutic effects of triterpenes and polysaccharides in Reishi Mushrooms, they increase blood flow and are beneficial for people with heart disease, Alzheimer’s and chronic, degenerative diseases that stem from inflammation.
Remarkably, Reishi Mushrooms are even believed to suppress the growth of tumors and are commonly used in cancer prevention. Incredibly enough, this exceptional mushroom is found in only two or three 10,000 year old trees; however it is available at certain health food stores and online.

Lycium Berry

Hailed as one of the most nutritionally complex foods there is, the Lycium Berry (also known as Goji) contains polysaccharides that provide abundant benefits to the body, including helping to regulate the immune system, protect the liver and kidneys from age-related stress, and improve insulin resistance caused by diabetes.

Used in Asia as an anti-aging tonic, the Lycium Berry is filled with vitamins and minerals, packing more vitamin C than an orange and more beta-carotene than a carrot.

Containing nine essential amino acids, calcium, magnesium, numerous B vitamins and Vitamin E, this little berry is full of healthy punch and gives you all the nutrients you will need.

Once you have stopped drinking, it’s time to start living a full life again. Many people use this opportunity to rethink their entire way of living. Often former alcoholics will avoid further pharmaceuticals, worried about risking a new addiction. That’s what makes the idea of Chinese/Alternative medicine so appealing.

The Chinese method of natural, homeopathic cures can help most ailments organically, without the introduction of synthetic man-made chemicals into the body. The science of this type of health medicine is ideal for people with addiction problems. Alternative medicine reduces contact with potential addictive substances altogether, greatly reducing the chance for incidence.

Chinese medicine typically incorporates many techniques which are used in conjunction with one another. This creates a unique synergy, a masterful system of preventative health care for pain and disease treatment. The various components that fall under the Chinese/Alternative medicine umbrella include: herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy and massage techniques to help stimulate corresponding organs and maintain proper functionality.

The principle idea behind Chinese medicine vary to some degree, depending on the exact school of thought they were formatted under. The origins of Chinese medicine stem back centuries to Taoism and Buddhism. Chinese medicine relies upon careful evaluation and observation of symptoms to diagnose medical issues. The American school of thought largely relies upon clinical laboratory tests and focuses only on the exact illness. Chinese medicine tends to look at the whole patient when working to diagnose versus concentrating on one particular symptom, organ or body system.

Part of the wonders of Chinese Alternative Medicine is the emphasis upon natural healing. The most recognized herbal treatment for sunburns comes from Indian Aloe, or Aloe Vera. Chinese Alternative medicine uses herbs like Aloe to help ease pain for those who are suffering. Aloe Vera gel pulled directly from the Aloe Vera plant works best. If you don’t have an Aloe Vera plant, over the counter creams with Aloe will suffice. As the Aloe Vera plant is made of nearly 100 percent water, its hydrating properties logically help soothe first to second degree burns.

Another natural choice and a favorite in Chinese Alternative Medicine is  sandalwood. Sandalwood is another herbal treatment that helps soothe sunburns. It has cooling properties and can actually act as a sunscreen. Vitamin E is another essential nutrient for your skin, and you can take it either by pill, or with a topical cream. You can wear these creams before you go outside and enjoy the weather. The properties like Aloe and sandalwood can help prevent burns as well as help you cope with them later.

With a sunburn, your skin is dehydrated. It is essential that no matter what cream or medication you decide to take, you drink lots of water. Chinese Alternative Medicine emphasizes getting your body back to its natural state. Your body needs as many fluids as possible after excessive skin exposure. Largely water-based foods, like fruits are great for hydration. Of course, the best way to beat sunburn is to avoid overexposure in the first place. Naturally, you can’t always avoid it, but staying conscious of the sun during the hot months can help. Wear preventative clothing like a hat or wear clothes that cover more skin areas when possible. Use sun block and stay hydrated. Prevention is the best medicine for sunburns.

The use of illicit and prescription drugs in an abusive and consistent manner can lead to a physical and psychological addiction that in most cases leads to negative effects on the user’s physiology and day-to-day life. Many drug abusers require a residential drug abuse program to help them kick their dependence on a particular substance, while others may need to be a part of a structured program for the rest of their lives.

There are numerous types of drug addiction recovery programs; deciding on the right one for a particular person depends on the type of drug they abuse. Some include the better known AA meetings that require addicts to attend regular meetings. Other programs require a more hands-on approach through the detoxifying process, and may need the addict to live in the treatment center until he or she gains the tools necessary to manage the addiction problem.

Drug addiction recovery programs are only as successful as the level of commitment by the patient and his or her family. The larger the support system formed around the patient, the easier the process becomes and the greater the chances of long term success. Recovery programs provide guidance to the patient and his family on how to break away from cycles and habits that prevent recovery. Many of the tools gained in these programs can be beneficial not only to the addict, but her family and friends as well. These programs teach coping mechanisms that are important in reducing daily stress and anxiety. Some programs also use replacement drugs that aid the addict through the detox process by lessening the physiological shock of reducing or stopping the use of a particular drug.

The type of recovery program chosen strongly depends on the type of drug the addict abused. This is because different drugs result in varying types of addiction responses by the body.

Use aloe vera to cure a minor burn. The plant requires little care beyond its weekly watering schedule and offers soothing relief to a nasty sunburn. Simply cut off a leaf and slit it open. Scrape or scoop out the inner leaf’s gel and apply the aloe vera to the desired surface.

For anxiety relief, try bathing in lavender. Calm your nerves and senses by drawing a bath and soaking in lavender–either bought as an oil, or a handful of lavender flowers taken from your garden. It’s been a remedy for anxiety for ages, but may also reduce negativity, frustration and anger.

Peppermint can ease indigestion. To settle the stomach after a meal, in ancient times people used to chew on a peppermint sprigs. Today, we enjoy a mint after a delicious dinner. The combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil may sooth the stomach, though a cup of brewed peppermint tea can also help ease the discomfort that may follow after meals.

More digestion problems? Chamomile is truly an all-purpose herb. Not only does it help sooth the body and soul after a long day at work, but it can also help an upset stomach feel better. The herb helps smooth muscle spasms and decrease inflammation in the gut lining.

To strengthen the immune system, look no further than the root of an echinacea flower. To cure colds, echinacea is available in the following varieties: teas, capsules and tinctures.

To cure a urinary tract infection (UTI), try incorporating cranberries into your diet. Cranberry has the convenient ability to stop bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall before an infection develops. You may take cranberry as a pill supplement, eat it as a dried fruit, or drink it as a juice.

Reflexology, which can be applied to any body part, but is especially concentrated on the sensitive nerve endings located in the soles of the feet and in the hands, is a science based on the idea that gentle pressure on reflex points can produce certain results. The result aimed for is to increase health and harmony by promoting health in the organs which correspond to the reflex point being worked by the practitioner. The idea is that energetic pathways flow through and connect all the various parts which comprise the human body.

This might sound akin to a magic act, yet it’s not as esoteric as it may seem. The human brain is a giant electrical device – electricity flows through the inner working of the brain, controlling everything from hunger to fine motor skills. By applying pressure in a skillful and knowledgeable way, a reflexologist may influence the signals sent between the brain and the body, causing a realignment of the electrical pattern. This realignment can create a new balance which is soothing and reduces both pain and stress.

If you’re considering trying a reflexology treatment, your experience will be somewhat similar to going to the spa for a massage. You’ll bare your feet, but nothing else, then sit on a comfortable chair or table. The reflexologist will examine your feet, then begin several techniques to achieve the harmonic balance desired. You should not feel pain, only firm pressure. At the end of the treatment, a sense of relaxation coming over you will indicate that this alternative to traditional medicine has achieved a balance formerly non-existent in your body. Remember to thank the reflexologist if you are happy with the treatment,

Most patients with diagnosed asthma and allergies are told to use an inhaler and possibly al buterol. But what happens when patients can no longer take the medication? Whether for economic reasons or physical (the inhaler is out of reach, in another country, etc.), there are tips and tricks and old wives’ tales for managing asthma.

The first myth is that caffeine will open your lungs. While this may be true, temporarily, unfortunately it hurts the patient in the long run because they become dependent on the caffeine opening the tubes and airways. Not only that but caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and soda can hurt your teeth and cause jitters and increased nervousness.

Second is to eat spicy foods. Spicy food causes mucus to run, cleaning out the nasal and sinus cavities. Contrarily, milk and other thick dairy products are said to cause congestions, especially during peak allergen seasons.
Other home remedies include using ginger and wasabi as well as rinsing the nose with saline water. Patients may also find relief when taking steaming showers, which, once again, clear membrane mucus.

Yet another food-related home remedy for asthma and allergy-induced congestion is to squirt onion juice up the nose. These home remedies are not guaranteed to improve the patient’s quality of life but are worth trying.

Lastly, patients with exercise-induced asthma are encouraged to make swimming their sport of choice. The high humidity in swimming pools is less likely to dry out an asthmatic’s throat, reducing the likelihood of an asthma attack. However, some sources agree chlorine is a trigger for asthma.

Patients may want to exercise indoors to avoid allergens and use HEPA filters when vacuuming. Get plenty of rest, eat properly and exercise regularly. Do not over-exert. Listen to your body and contact a doctor when necessary. Asthma and allergies can be difficult to live with but with a combination of these home remedies and medical care, patients have a surefire way of improving their qualities of life.