Alternative Medicine and the skeptics

Alternative Medicine is the practice of natural remedies, joined together to create a state of optimum health. Alternative medicines focus on the body as a whole, mind, body and spirit. The thoughts are that the body and the body's emotional state create a state of illness or health. Many people are skeptical of alternative therapies. However, Alternative Medicine has been practiced for centuries. NIH and the NCCAM suggest 4000 years, that alternative medicine has been used for several aliments. Including everything from upset stomach to Cancer. Alternative Medicine is the traditional medicine. What we look at today as traditional medicine has only been in existence for a little more than 100 years. Alternative therapies were widely used by our ancestors.

Modern Medicine is the field of applied science related to the art of healing by diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness in human beings. Modern Medicine has shown great progress in the treatment of many symptoms if a wide variety of Illnesses. There are several side effects that are possible with today's medicine. The practice of todays Doctors has limited to no training in nutrition and disease. Very seldom does a prescription create a cure. Prescriptions are synthetic versions of natural plants, herbs and remedies. The vast majority of prescription medications are created in a laboratory. There are several advances in addressing trauma care. Also, heart attacks and strokes. According to the FDA there is a process to developing a new drug.These processes include animal testing and clinical trials with human subjects. A good example of how natural products are recreated in a laboratory is as follows, Enter the salmon, which, like humans, produces a hormone called calcitonin that helps regulate calcium and decreases bone loss. For osteoporosis patients, taking salmon calcitonin, which is 30 times more potent than that secreted by the human thyroid gland, inhibits the activity of specialized bone cells called osteoclasts that absorb bone tissue. This enables bone to retain more bone mass. So in Salmon there is a hormone. It is derived from the fish and made into a synthetic version in pill form and then sold at a high rate, from drug companies. Medicine does have great benefits for some and is offered through a prescription from a doctor and the purchased from a drug store or pharmacy.

As stated that the hormone is derived from the salmon and created into a new drug, wouldn't one be better off eating the salmon and not taking a pill, with side effects? Alternative Medicine is offered through the continents and forest of the world. Our very gardens could grow natural wholesome medicines for disease and illnesses. The drug companies are a multi-billion dollar industry. To focus on what is readily available in nature would be a loss to the drug companies. However, one with the conveniences of the internet can research a variety of herbs and natural remedies through clinical trials. There are several topics in which one can research to see if the plant derivative is beneficial to the aliments you are facing. Whichever your preference is what you should do. However, before starting any new natural remedy you need to talk to your doctor prior to beginning and new treatment.

One may want to know where the research come from on alternative therapies. Well there are several independent research facilities that are focused on natural medicine. Some of the bigger ones are NCCAM National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The center listed is an association of Holistic or Natural doctors that bring together to form the NCCAM. Another one , and it is a big one, is ICRF. ICRF is the Independent Cancer Research Foundation. Many holistic believer's donate to this foundation for research on natural therapies. The studies that are preformed by the ICRF is focused on natural treatments of cancer. There are several herbs, derivatives and plant based substances that have shown promising in the treatment of cancers. Several items have been shown to have anywhere from 3 % to 90 % cure rate. According to the ICRF several natural substances have been shown to have a 90% cure rate and have existed for decades. The general public does not know about them because the cures have been hidden or excluded from the public due to the commitments to the Pharmaceutical company's.

What is Holistic Medicine?

Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses care of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health, and prevent and treat disease by addressing contributing factors. Holistic healthcare practitioners strive to meet the patient with grace, kindness, acceptance, and spirit without condition, as love is life’s most powerful healer.

In practice, this means that each person is seen as a unique individual, rather than an example of a particular disease. Disease is understood to be the result of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance. Healing, therefore, takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into proper balance. The role of the practitioner is as guide, mentor and role model; the patient must do the work - changing lifestyle, beliefs and old habits in order to facilitate healing. All appropriate methods may be used, from medication to meditation.

There are 10 principals to Holistic Medicine, they are as follows :

Principles

1. Optimal Health is the primary goal of holistic medical practice. It is the conscious pursuit of the highest level of functioning and balance of the physical, environmental, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of human experience, resulting in a dynamic state of being fully alive. This creates a condition of well-being regardless of the presence or absence of disease.
2. The Healing Power of Love. Holistic health care practitioners strive to meet the patient with grace, kindness, acceptance, and spirit without condition, as love is life’s most powerful healer.
3. Whole Person. Holistic health care practitioners view people as the unity of body, mind, spirit and the systems in which they live.
4. Prevention and Treatment. Holistic health care practitioners promote health, prevent illness and help raise awareness of dis-ease in our lives rather than merely managing symptoms. A holistic approach relieves symptoms, modifies contributing factors, and enhances the patient’s life system to optimize future well-being.
5. Innate Healing Power. All people have innate powers of healing in their bodies, minds and spirits. Holistic health care practitioners evoke and help patients utilize these powers to affect the healing process.
6. Integration of Healing Systems. Holistic health care practitioners embrace a lifetime of learning about all safe and effective options in diagnosis and treatment. These options come from a variety of traditions, and are selected in order to best meet the unique needs of the patient. The realm of choices may include lifestyle modification and complementary approaches as well as conventional drugs and surgery.
7. Relationship-centered Care. The ideal practitioner-patient relationship is a partnership which encourages patient autonomy, and values the needs and insights of both parties. The quality of this relationship is an essential contributor to the healing process.
8. Individuality. Holistic health care practitioners focus patient care on the unique needs and nature of the person who has an illness rather than the illness that has the person.
9. Teaching by Example. Holistic health care practitioners continually work toward the personal incorporation of the principles of holistic health, which then profoundly influence the quality of the healing relationship.
10. Learning Opportunities. All life experiences including birth, joy, suffering and the dying process are profound learning opportunities for both patients and health care practitioners.

• offer added flavor and benefits to foods
• come in a variety of colors and flavors
• contain health benefits that can prevent disease
• can be grown in your kitchen
• offer a array of benefits for stomach illnesses
• can be cancer preventing
• can be cancer curing

There are several herbs, spices and plant goods that have been researched and have shown to have healing powers and treatment of several disease, NOTE; I am not a medical doctor and make no claims to be a practicing physician. This is just mere research that I have done and found helpful to my own circumstances. The below listed herbs have been widely researched by independent researchers and have been found to have promising results:

Basil- has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties

Cayenne has many health benefits and can improve the absorption of other nutrients in foods. It has been shown to increase circulation and reduce the risk of heart problems.

Cinnamon has the highest antioxidant value of any spice, and Cinnamon has also been used to alleviate nausea..

Cumin- The second most used herb in the world after black pepper, cumin provides a distinct and pleasant taste. It is most often used in the U.S. in Mexican or Spanish dishes and in seasonings for tacos or chili.

Dill- has antibacterial properties but is most known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach

Garlic- Studies have show that just 2 fresh cloves a week can provide anti-cancer benefits

Mint- It has traditionally been used to calm digestive troubles and alleviate nausea.

Oregano- are antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer and antibiotic. It is extremely high in antioxidants and has demonstrated antimicrobial properties against food-borne pathogens like Listeria. Its oil and leaves are used medicinally in treatment of cough, fever, congestion, body ache and illness. Combined with basil, garlic, marjoram, thyme and rosemary, it creates a potent antiviral, anti bacterial, antimicrobial and cancer fighting seasoning blend.

Tumeric- reduce inflammation and improve Inflammatory bowel diseases and also Irritable Bowel Syndrome . Tumeric is also shown to have cancer fighting abilities even to treat pancreatic cancer.

There are several other beneficial herbs and spices. I picked a selected few to touch on and give you the general idea of beneficial herbs and spices, there are several spices and herbs and each can have similar benefits or may be beneficial in another area. According to WebMD.com

Common herbs and spices may help protect against certain chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Herbs, including basil and parsley, are from plants and plant parts. Spices often come from the seeds, berries, bark, or roots of plants.

Seasonings, such as cinnamon, often lead lists of commonly eaten foods with the highest levels of measured antioxidant activity.

Polyphenols, a type of plant compound, provide one of the main health benefits associated with herbs and spices. Polyphenols are also abundant in certain fruits and vegetables, tea, and red wine.

Certain herbs and spices curb inflammation in the body, which may give rise to heart disease and cancer. For example, antioxidants in cinnamon have been linked to lower inflammation, as well as reductions in blood glucose

.

Herbs and spices are a tasty way to add beneficial ingredients to our food everything from salt to coriander can prevent and treat a wide variety of health benefits and disease fighting capabilities. Try experimenting in foods:

Italian - add oregano

soups- add basil

eggs- add tumeric

casseroles- any spices are beneficial and easy to mask

There are several ways to incorporate spices and herbs into your daily intake a lot of Mexican food contains cilantro. The list goes on and on however you can increase your intake of spices and herbs will be beneficial.

There are several people who disagrees with the healing powers of Herbs, spices and other food sources. They go and search the internet to find a single article that may be discrediting to the thousands of beneficial articles out there. These are the ones that will listen to the truth and benefits, just to go behind your back and call you uninformed. There are several writers that are just that, writers, they spend their day reading someone else's opinion that has not a clue as to what they are writing about and just continues to search for the rarest, if even legit, side effects and horror stories. When you go to researching, be sure you are reading from someone that has a medical degree or Holistic degree. Not to minimize ones ability to research, its when they research and do not tell the whole story. I recently read an article on the safeness of L-Arginine, and this individual discredited a medical persons advise as to the levels of testosterone, this herb can contribute to raising. Which makes it safe for men but not necessarily for women. This individual labeled it safe for all. Beware of writers that lack proper knowledge and will go against a medical opinion to satisfy ones own self, for the benefit they have consumed it for. Skeptics will try and discredit beliefs for their own satisfaction. The best advise comes from one that uses these herbs, remedies and spices on a daily basis and can tell you the honest benefits or side effects. Skeptics tend to be " brain washed" that the only benefit for a disease has to come in the form of a pill that is made from a drug company that makes no money if you are cured, so therefore gives you a pill that creates another issue that requires a pill, that then creates another issue and chemical imbalance that requires two more pills and the revolving door goes own and own. If drug companies created cures, where would their billions come from? That is sad but very true, despite the research that is readily available, but not advertised, and the abilities for a cure. Skeptics have a right to be skeptical, I was when I first started studying the benefits of what is available in our own yards, for a treatment that can lead to the cure of the underlying issue. However, if you are skeptical and deny the research that is available this that is your decision. However, when faced with an incurable disease , one will then venture to the availability of the natural cure and only then will they become acceptable to what is the Traditional Cures of our ancestors, our diet. Always heed the advice of any medical professional that may offer some advice on a particular herb. Some herbs are beneficial for men and not women and also visa versa. Such as, evening primrose, helps one to cope with the aliments of menopause. This would not be beneficial for a man. Be sure to ask your doctor about any new herb you are considering.

Whichever you are, rather, a believer or a skeptic, always keep an open mind and follow the advice of the doctor you choose. Holistic and Medical are your choices. Whichever you choose is your right in this free country we live in. Keep and open mind and explore all options. When doing research, be sure to take advice from a National source and not an independent writer, you may never know the credentials behind ones advice. PubMed.com , Independent Cancer Research Foundation, American Holistic Medical Association, and the National Cancer Foundation are great places to find secure, researched, proven methods for alternative treatments. As with any medicine rather natural or Western, be sure that you do not mix several together, unless you are advised to do so by a holistic Doctor, as this can create an adverse reaction.

Tumeric- for the treatment of a gastrointestinal disorder, I take 1 teaspoonful, in a glass of water twice daily.

Ginger tea- 5 thick slices of ginger root added to 3 cups of water, bring to a boil, steep for 20 minutes then add 1 Tablespoon of honey and the juice from half a lemon, stir and serve either hot or over ice, to prevent a stomach virus when you have the initial symptoms.

Hair removal- 1 Tablespoon of honey, 2 teaspoons of, fresh squeezed, lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon of crushed oats add to a glass bowl and apply to area of treatment twice a day, for 2 weeks, permanently remove unwanted hair.

Cayenne Pepper - 1 teaspoon in pineapple juice, helps relieve upset stomach, heartburn and other GI issues ( I take once a day)