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A Powerful Alternative Medicine

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Centuries ago, before modern medicine, the use of plants, roots, herbs, and flowers was critical in maintaining health and treating illnesses.  Over the course of hundreds of years, knowledge began to amass revealing the effectiveness of certain combinations of specific herbs. Today, many doctors in traditional, Western medicine believe that while modern medicine may produce a quick fix, it does not provide long term solutions and work in accordance with the body’s natural functions and energies. A movement toward alternative medicine and treatments is gaining momentum in modern medical field, reverting back to use of natural herbs and plants.

One natural treatment that is being employed is the use of Beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is considered the most powerful supplement available for overall immune function and plays a crucial role in the body in its ability to modulate the immune system. Equipped with healing properties, it is a powerful antagonist to both benign and malignant tumors, and activates the body’s natural immunological defenses.

Clinical studies conducted in Japan suggest Beta-glucan promotes innate immunity without over-stimulating the immune system (as many clinical drugs do) and reduces influenza-infected cells. It also has been proposed in recent studies that it increases NK cell activity, and has been demonstrated in laboratory studies to kill H1N1 and Bird Flu viruses. It has even been used to treat cancer, and has been proven in several clinical studies to shrink tumors, inhibit tumor growth, and stimulate the body’s natural ability to destroy a tumor. In fact, in Japan for the past twenty years extracts containing an assortment of different types of Beta-glucan have been used to effectively help cancer patients.

With such compelling advantages to the body’s first line of defense–the immune system, and pioneer in the cancer-fighting war, the potent Beta-glucan is a central and highly valued ingredient in any health supplement.

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The American Journal of Chinese Medicine – An Overview

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine stands as an important resource for the study of alternative medicine. Over the past 25 years, the journal has served as a primary source for other journal citations in regards to alternative medicine. In addition, an illustrious board of editors from multiple universities around the world manages the database of journals and abstracts, lending credibility and strength to the institution itself.

For the student, the journal provides both abstracts for all published articles dating from 1997 to 1999 and the opportunity to subscribe to their most recent articles. For the scholarly author, the journal acts as a clearing house for those interested in publishing their studies on alternative medicine. Even with so many types of alternative medicine available, the journal provides a clear set of guidelines, both in terms of the content of the offered writing, as well as the needed formatting instructions, presented in a direct and simple format.

The principal mission of the journal is the study of traditional medicines, bringing the methods used in traditional medicine and putting them under the focus of modern research. With traditional medicines and techniques being of such interest to the world today, the goal brings that modern focus in, finding out what the ethnomedicine practices actually accomplish under the scope of the scientific method and dissect the mechanics of methods that have remained smoky and obscured to the scientific community before. They work, but how?

However, not all of the institution falls in the realm of research-based science and medicine. A key component of the organization’s mission statement is to perform “Scholarly work to translate ancient texts or modern publications on ethnomedicine,” showing dedication not only to the current research, but to the practices from history that can possibly be brought to light in the modern age.

By combining modern research and scholarly writing to methods of the past, the journal bridges the gaps between different cultures and times, allowing students and researchers to gaze into both and find the common links.

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The Appeal of Alternative Medicine

The very definition of alternative medicine as viewed in the Western culture is that it has not consistently proven to be effective. This means it could be untested , experimental or tested and found wanting in containing the healing qualities expected in the West.

One reason for that could be that the effectiveness of alternative medicine is difficult to test in clinical trials. Another reason is that many alternative medical treatments are not patentable. This could result in less research funding for them.

Alternative medicines, however, seem to be making inroads and not only with consumers. For example, a recent survey of US hospitals suggested that 37% offer one or more alternative therapies. This is up from 26.5% just three years prior.

Reasons People Use Alternative Medicine

There are several reasons people across all countries continue to be drawn to the use of alternative medicine therapies.
One could be some of the extraordinary claims and subsequent strong marketing campaigns on some alternative medicines like natural herbs or berries for weight loss. These claims can influence a person already distrustful of Western medicine or ignorant of its scientific basis.

Another reason is that people are denied access to modern health care because of expense or the lack of private or public health insurance. This leads them to seek out lower cost, more readily available alternative treatments when they get ill.

Patient can also be wary of the painful, unpleasant side effects of some bio-medical treatments. For example, treatments for severe diseases like cancer or HIV can have significant life altering side effects. Even some lower risk medications have been known to cause severe reactions in patients. Individuals sensitive to this and adverse to having to undergo uncomfortable side effects, could find refuge in the more natural approach many of the alternative therapies appear to bring to their healing origins.

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Using Chinese and Alternative Medicine After Alcohol Rehab

Trying to overcome the challenges of alcohol is not an easy feat. Those who are addicted to alcohol have a long battle to wage. With strength and perseverance, and a great alcohol rehab program, determined individuals can win the war against alcohol addiction.

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.

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