A selection of News Feeds
Here is a selection of news feeds that you may find interesting. BCWC is not the author of these articles. In fact, we may or may not agree with them. :-)
They do provide interesting reading though.
3 Major Types Of Holistic Healing
Millions of people go through different types of medical procedures to help cure their physical and emotional illnesses. Although it is true that there are multiple ways to address the needs for different ailments, there are quite a few who undergo treatments from holistic healing.
The term holistic means that an individual’s health is based on the concept of “ones self” which comprises of his physical, spiritual, and mental well being to come up with cures and resistance to sicknesses.
Holistic healing practitioners believe that the inner self is highly capable of combating illnesses from further stimulating the body to act upon irregularities whether it is physical, mental, or spiritual in nature.
It is no surprise that people all over the world see this as a natural healing process in comparison to conventional healing procedures available.
Holistic healing has been a part of human society for as long as at least 3000 years ago. It is believed to have been practiced by the ancient Chinese and Indians to help cure illnesses by stimulating the inner self with the help of other natural sources.
They believed that holistic healing is a natural way of healing that focuses more on the body itself, and not segregated to its different part in general. Holistic healing is further applied to today’s customs while more people flock to its healing capabilities that also promote harmony not only in the physical form, but also in accordance with mental and spiritual factors of oneself.
Today, there are numerous health centers that promote holistic healing to all those who are interested. The most common of the holistic healing processes are those that involve the physical aspect of a person’s body. Here are some holistic healing treatments people uses today:
1. Holistic Massage
Practitioners believe that holistic massage allows the body to excrete unwanted toxins in the body. The toxins that are released from the body promote stress that, not only affect the physical body, but also the spiritual and mental aspect.
This holistic healing is administered by full body massages with the use of natural extracts from plants and herbs. Aromatic scents and oils are also used in the process to further enhance the body’s senses.
2. Holistic Acupuncture
This holistic healing process was first practiced by the ancient Chinese. They believe that there are millions of energy lines that are associated with the different organs and systems in our body.
They believe that healing can be done if the acupuncture points can be stimulated by using acupuncture needles that will help stimulate these energy lines connected to the organs to help stimulate healing.
3. Yoga therapy
This is a holistic healing practice, first originated in India, which involves physical breathing exercising and stretching, which in turn helps the mental and spiritual aspect of an individual. It promotes a relaxing state of mind that helps reduce stress and body tensions.
Truly, our body’s physical, mental, and emotional aspects should not be left unnoticed. In general, they are all inter-related to one another and cannot be separated from each other; to do so would lower the chances of our body to fight and prevent diseases from coming our way. Inquiring about holistic healing is the first step; the rest that follows would entail personal discipline and responsibility.
Herbal Remedies For Common Hair Problems 2
In part 1 of this post we looked at herbal remedies for common hair problems that can be used externally to combat common problems such as hair loss, dandruff, dry hair, dull or brittle hair. Now we take a look at what supplements can help us deal with these common problems:
- Silica supplements in capsule or other forms are seen to be very useful for improving hair health. It can help to improve condition of dry, lifeless or brittle hair and thicken the hair shaft as well.
- Saw Palmetto is a berry extract that is also used in a lot of commercial preparations. This is seen to be very helpful in tackling common problems such as slow growth of hair and in promoting regeneration of hair.
- Green tea has several health giving properties and is also known to improve hair condition by reducing DHT production in the body.
- Gingko Biloba helps improve blood circulation in body and hence increases the amount of blood circulated to the hair and the skin as well. Apart from the hair, Gingko is known to be good for improving the memory as well so taking a gingko supplement may help more than just your hair!
Basic Differences Between Orthodox And Alternative Medicine
There are some basic differences between conventional or orthodox medicine and alternative remedies. Some interesting points of contrast between the two are:
- Conventional medicine is based on scientific study; alternative medicine could be based on that as well as spiritual, mystical and even intuitive insights.
- The main difference is that of orientation, while conventional medicine is curative, alternative medicine is preventive. The former tries to reduce the symptom or lessen a disease, while alternative medicine tries to heal the entire organism and to keep it healthy in a way that it can resist and repel disease.
- Orthodox medicine is geared to treat part of the organism; alternative treatment is holistic in nature. The former seeks to fix, the latter to support.
- Conventional medicine is provider dominated and the range of choices available is limited. Alternative medicine is a wider field and provides many different options.
- Alternative medicine puts great emphasis on nutrition that looks to strengthen immunity and naturally build up resistance as well as prevent lifestyle related disease. Conventional medicine does not put the same emphasis on proper nutrition and maintaining the body’s natural balance.
- Conventional therapies often rely on chemicals to produce short term solutions, which may be necessary in case of trauma or some diseases. Alternative remedies which rely more on nature, may not be able to produce this instant impact.
Naturopathy – The Natural Way Of Staying Healthy
The truth about today’s lifestyle is that it demands a lot from each and everyone on a daily basis. These days multiply to weeks, and weeks turn into months, and eventually become years.
Because we take for granted our health conditions and focus more on our jobs and personal problems, our stress, therefore accumulates and releases harmful toxins that may disrupt our natural cycle that may cause long term disease.
Naturopathy is a practice where natural techniques are applied to promote healthy well being that is widely accepted by a number of people worldwide.
Naturopathy deals with the prevention of diseases borne from natural techniques using natural elements from the earth such as heat, water, natural massages, and others. The idea of naturopathy treatment revolves around the concept of minimizing the use of medications and traditional treatments.
If you are thinking of applying naturopathy in your life, it would be best to inquire more about it before actually embarking on the process itself.
Research about naturopathy and study carefully the process of which it is actually performed. To make it clearer for you, here is the basic process of naturopathy so you would generally know what to expect:
1. Naturopathic consultationsYou will have to go through medical consultations before you are prescribed a naturopathic treatment. These consultations will be based largely on your past medical records for safety medical purposes and possible treatment processes.
The reason these consultations are done is to prevent any complications and allergic reactions that may happen during the process.
2. Naturopathic treatmentThe naturopathic treatments would be based on your inquiry and findings from the consultation. This being said, the naturopath would then conduct the treatments using natural elements such as steam, water, natural mud, and others to rid your body of harmful toxins that are currently present.
The good thing about naturopathy treatment is the benefits it promotes for one’s personal health and well being. You must take note that these treatments are all natural and can be very good for your body. They are also proven to be safe for human use and do not cause any uncomfort or threatening side effects.
Naturopathy uses minimal traditional generic medicines, but instead uses herbal medicines in its place. Although most treatments do not use herbal medicines, they are used when needed by patients.
Naturopathy also promotes a good digestive system for your body. It teaches you how to properly select good food which in turn transforms into a good and healthy diet that is a big factor that promotes the proper circulation of the digestive system. This process releases harmful toxics, through digestion, which in turn promotes good health and prevents sickness.
Finding places that offer naturopathic treatments are not hard at all. You may inquire at your local wellness centers in your area and check out the different package offers they have.
There are also detoxification centers that offer these services that can be found in your area. If there is none, probably the best place to look is by surfing the internet and searching for naturopathy wellness centers and choosing one that is closer to your area.
Self Hypnosis – An Effective Way To Train The Mind
Even the skeptical do acknowledge the efficacy of self hypnosis, particularly in helping people get a handle on their anxieties. This article in the Daily Mirror speaks about use of hypnotherapy to help people control their anxieties.
In particular, self hypnosis can help to control the sort of anxieties that are born out of situations, which people feel they have no control over.
HypnoBirthing is one technique that many women have found to be of great value in the process of birthing.
Here hypnosis can help women feel relaxed and more in control on the situation; in this case being childbirth.
Also hypnodieting is being adopted by many quite successfully. This helps those who indulge in compulsive eating by giving them more control over their diet so they can take charge and help themselves lose weight.
Then there is the virtual gastric band, that obviates the need for actually surgery and makes a person believe that they have undergone the surgery to make them eat less.
There is also the possibility that hypnotherapy could come to the aid of those who have different kinds of phobias and Tourette’s syndrome.
Top 3 Reasons To Use Natural Cures
Natural cures have been a topic of interest by many people for a very long time. In comparison to its conventional treatments, natural cures are known to be an alternative way to go, especially if for those who want to minimize the use of chemically manufactured medicines.
More often than not, natural cures become an evident option when people feel that they have done everything they could to cure their ailments and still have no results.
On a side note, natural cures have been a practice for many years. Ancient cultures have perfected the science of natural cures and have openly shared their secrets for the benefit of all those who need them. These natural cures, as they have been named so, have proven to have some significant results with the use of the basic ingredients that are all natural and safe for human use.
There are a lot of people who actually prefer the use of natural cures as a complete alternative to the more conventional treatments which are performed and prescribed in most modern hospitals today.
these people were asked the reason why they have decided to choose natural cures, their answers would have been very simple. Here are some of the reasons why people choose to benefit from these alternatives:
1. Natural Ingredients
Natural cures are made from healthy ingredients such as herbs and plant extracts. These ingredients are then carefully manufactured for human consumption so it can be easily taken for cures. The natural ingredients, in general, are the basic ingredients most conventional medicines use so a lot of people would rather put their options on the root itself.
2. Healthy option
The use of natural cures has no side effects to the body. This means that the use of these treatments do not harm organs that may cause long term complications in the future that may prove to be even more expensive to heal once it becomes terminal.
3. Healthy supplement
We cannot accept the fact that a lot of sicknesses, diseases, and preventive treatments are inevitable in one’s health status. Treatments and prescriptions usually take time before the actual healing process takes place so a lot of people supplement it with natural cures. They go hand in hand and have proven to produce spectacular results when combined with conventional treatments.
The wonders of natural cures cannot be left unnoticed, especially in a world that is aware of its significance. As awareness about health and its relativity to natural elements continue to spread, more people are becoming attuned to healing cures. There are all sorts of ailments these natural cures can relieve.
Sicknesses such as cancer, diabetes, skin asthma, asthma, and others are no exemption to the long list of ailments people seek cures for.
There are many forms of natural cures available for everyone who is interested in purchasing them. People can choose to either purchase products that are taken orally or topically.
For oral natural cures, they are available in tablet or capsule form. On the other hand, topical natural cures are available in ointments and creams. They are made available in local drug stores in your area as well as health stores. Before purchasing any natural cure products, be sure to check the expiration dates located and the product container itself.
Herbal Remedies For Common Hair Problems 1
Certain natural herbs and formulations can help to get the sort of hair that you may only otherwise dreamt about.
There are several natural remedies that will help cure common hair problems such as hair fall, brittle hair, dry hair, dandruff etc:
- Tea tree oil is known to have anti bacterial properties that will help rid the scalp of the sort of bacteria that could be root cause of dandruff and hair loss. It can be massaged directly into the hair for great results.
- Amla Powder or powdered Indian gooseberry is also known to be excellent for hair. Mixed with an oil base it nourishes the hair to make it softer and glossier and helps prevent premature graying of hair.
- Apple cider vinegar is also known to be very good for improving the health of hair and hair follicles. Rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar helps promote hair growth and prevent dryness.
- Regular head massage is known to have a number of beneficial effects on hair as well as the scalp. It helps stimulate the hair follicles to produce more abundant and healthier hair and is even known to help the body build up resistance to dandruff and other common hair problems. Additionally a head massage can help to relieve stress and headaches.
9 Proven Natural Cures From Alternative Medicine
The National Institutes of health have endorsed a list of nine alternative and complementary treatments that really work and offer cures that you can trust”
- Massage for depression – It can ease chronic mental and emotional stress, helps release endorphins in response to physical touch and may be as effective as prescription antidepressants.
- Tai Chi for insomnia – The slow mediation technique helps improve sleep quality in people with mild insomnia. It also improves balance of the body.
- Bromelain for swelling – This pineapple extract can help heal injuries, cuts and bruises. It can reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation.
- Acupuncture for chronic pain – A lot of recent research supports the premise that acupuncture is excellent to reduce pain by balancing the body’s energy flow.
- Glucosamine/chondroitin for joint pain – It has been seen that Glucosamine is more effective in sulfate form and reduces pain in moderate to severe arthritis cases and can also slow down the progression of osteoarthritis.
- Cocoa for hypertension – To reduce blood pressure, drink dark cocoa for two weeks each day.
- Green tea for rheumatoid arthritis and may also help you lose some weight.
- Rhodiola or Rhodiola rosea can reduce anxiety and improve mental stamina and also helps to counter fatigue.
- Hypnosis can help alleviate hot flashes in terms of frequency as well as severity.
Bikam Yoga – Heat Is No Deterrent
If you can handle this, you can handle anything says one practitioner; another has no reason to fear the blast of heat when she heads out of the gym. For all of them however, the goal is good health and fitness using Bikram Yoga.
It’s 20 degrees hotter inside than the outside and the smell of sweat is all around, sweat drips and rolls down on to the floor and towels are soaked.
It’s the hottest July in ages, but attendance at the studios of Jen Lobo, an owner of Bikram Yoga NYC, has remained largely unaffected.
Bikram Yoga or hot yoga as it is also known has classes that go for about 90 minutes. They include a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises and are ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F with a humidity of 40%.
The idea behind this form of yoga is that the elevated temperatures promote general wellness and also enhance the benefits derived from stretching. The higher temperatures are also thought to prevent injury and help in relieving muscle tension and reducing stress.
Extension and compression – two main facets of Bikram Yoga are what improve blood circulation and deliver oxygen to the muscles, organs and the joints of the body.
Top 3 Benefits Of Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture treatment is one of the world’s oldest methods to treat people. It is a traditional procedure which has originated from the Chinese medical practices.
Basically, the method of the acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of tiny needles to specific areas of the body to relieve it from energy imbalances and blockages.
These areas which are scattered around the body correspond to the various organs or groups of organs.
When the needles are being inserted in these areas, it can then restore the original health and well being of the body.
Overview on acupuncture treatmentThe acupuncture treatment is comprised of different procedures which revolve around the goal of stimulating the different areas in the body through a set of techniques.
Although these techniques may vary from one another, they are deemed very efficient and reliable at restoring the body’s wellness.
Although the acupuncture treatment is considered as an ancient practice, researchers have already studied its effectiveness and credibility. These studies have concluded that acupuncture treatment is a viable way of treating the physical body.
Generally, people undergo the process of acupuncture treatment in order to treat common ailments such as nausea, back pains and even dental problems.
Top 3 benefits from the treatment Qi EnergyIt has been discovered that during acupuncture treatment, the neural activity in the brain is being induced with patterns which in turn stabilize its condition.
In addition, the flow of vital energy is also being released which is commonly known as ‘qi’ (or pronounced as ‘chee’). This kind of energy is what makes a person feel very light within and with a newly found positivism.
RelaxationPeople can feel relaxed through acupuncture treatment not only during the whole process but even afterwards. Although the body may be punctured with tiny needles, there is minimal pain to be felt. A lot of people who undergo this kind of process are even energized.
Endorphin ReleaseWith the process of acupuncture treatment, it can also decrease pain in the body by stimulating the circulation of endorphins. When such chemicals are being released all throughout the body, the person can immediately feel fullness in his muscles. When endorphins are then present within the body, it can block the message of pain from going up to the brain.
Further Studies on the TreatmentAlthough acupuncture treatment is considered as a reliable process of relieving the body from pain, improper placement of the needles can definitely cause the body to feel sore and pain.
It is important that the acupuncture treatment is only done by qualified practitioners so that patients will receive the full treatment that they signed up for.
Likewise, scientists should still continue their researches on acupuncture so that the public will know if indeed it has scientific basis or it is simply a product of the placebo effect.
More so, people should be careful in undergoing such a procedure to know for themselves if the acupuncture practitioner is qualified enough to heal them.
Indian Doctors Claim Turmeric Can Help With Epilepsy
According to doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, new uses for the wonder spice turmeric have been found; the doctors claim turmeric can cure epilepsy, boost memory and reduce stress!
Epilepsy cure and management have always been problematic for doctors as well as patients, and the side effects of the drugs used (long-term antiepileptic drug or AED therapy) are damaging as well.
This study carried out by the researchers on rodents has been promising in terms of providing a possible cure for epilepsy.
AED therapy has been seen to impair cognitive development and damages essential macro molecules in the body in some cases and the goal of achieving treatment without side effects has been difficult so far because of phenytoin-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress.
The researchers found that when turmeric was administered orally along with phenytoin this prevented cognitive impairment and oxidative stress.
Turmeric has long been used in traditional medicine as a natural anti bacterial agent which prevents infections and speeds up the healing process. It is also known to help aid digestion and reduce inflammation.
Herbal Remedies For Lowering Cholesterol
Apart from having a balanced diet and an active lifestyle, there are many herbal remedies that can help to keep your cholesterol in check. Most effective herbal remedies for cholesterol are:
Capsicum/ Bell Pepper: Known to contain compounds that help blood flow and to ease blood pressure and cholesterol.
Garlic: This pungent spice has long been known to contain natural cholesterol lowering properties.
It is the sulfur content in it that is known to lower bad cholesterol (Low density lipo-protein or LDL) and increase good cholesterol (High density Lipo-protien or HDL).
Alfalfa: Alfalfa seeds are known to contain saponins that help to prevent plaques that lead to heart attacks and lower cholesterol.
Psyllium: This is useful not only in keeping you regular by naturally bulking up the bowels, but also known to lower cholesterol particularly when taking in conjunction with oat bran.
Red Yeast Rice: In traditional societies, red yeast rice is a food and also has medicinal properties. Studies have shown significant lowering of cholesterol levels among those who took red rice yeast extracts.
LDL levels were seen to decline among those who took the supplement. For those who respond well to this treatment, it could be prescribed on a long term basis.
Fenugreek Seeds: Used on a regular basis in traditional cuisines such as Indian food, these contain alkaloids and protein high in lysine as well as L-tryptophan. This help by lowering the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol. It lowers the bad cholesterol in the blood but not the good cholesterol.
Butcher’s Broom: This quaintly named herb has natural anti-inflammatory properties which reinforce blood vessel walls, and helps to improve circulation to the different parts of the body. This herb can also help to guard against thrombosis, and to keep swelling in check.
Guggul: This is made out of gum, volatile oils and resin and is known to have the ability to lower triglyceride levels.
By raising levels of good cholesterol, this helps to prevent atherosclerosis, which is the formation of plaques in blood vessels which ultimately lead to heart attacks. Those with irritable bowel syndrome and liver disease need to be careful and avoid use however.
Licorice root: This helps to keep regular heart beat and rhythm as well as restore hormonal balance and detoxify the liver. The chemical compounds in the roots of the plants are known to combat high cholesterol.
Hawthorne Berry: This is known to contain bioflavonoids that are heart healthy. They dilate blood vessels, preventing angina and blood vessel degeneration. It helps to restore regular heart beat and normal blood pressure.
Aluminum In Your Deodorant – Why Should You Avoid It?
There are many chemicals and artificial ingredients present in deodorants, among the most harmful of them being aluminum.
Aluminum is associated with a number of problems ranging from respiratory problems to cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
It is not per se the aluminum in the deodorant that is the problem; rather it is the way that it works to block the pores of the skin that may cause problems.
Sweating is the body’s natural way of ridding itself of waste matter and toxins. When the blocking mechanism of an antiperspirant product prevents this natural process from occurring, problems relating to lymph glands located in the underarm area could occur.
Also a number of these toxic chemicals in deodorants get absorbed into the body, including the aluminum that may cause problems later if not right away. It can be absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream as well as through inhalation by way of the nasal passages as you spray it on.
By various ways aluminum can get accumulated in the body and deposits of it could be lodged in the brain. It is therefore best to avoid products that contain aluminum by looking carefully at the list of ingredients and use natural based products as far as possible.
Laughter As Alternative Therapy
It has long been said that laughter is the best medicine, but medical practitioners are now taking this seriously, researchers delving into the mysteries of mind-body medications are now looking at the possible role of humor in health care, or using laughter as therapy.
So laughter as a drug free therapy is a very attractive idea, but it’s not all that simple, find researchers. For what is hilarious for you may not even elicit a smile from someone else and does it actually work?
Well yes, according to some, it has been observed that mental symptoms such as anxiety and nervousness can be helped with laughter therapy even if one is skeptical about the actual physical benefits.
What one has to watch out for however is that the laughter may be used to mask a number of negative emotions, laughter can be angry, it can be sarcastic. So just make sure that laughter therapy is used in the manner that it should be, one that actually helps, so that it doesn’t backfire on you.
For instance those with heart disease or anxiety can be inclined to blame oneself and be critical of oneself as well, so self deprecating humor in this situation may well be counterproductive. Such mirth could well exacerbate the anxiety and end up making the situation worse, warn researchers.
Dogs As Alternative Therapy?
This article talks about conventional anti convulsion medications being of no use in controlling seizures for one father girl, but support came in canine form for his condition! He is being called the Seizure Alert Dog, who can predict seizures/convulsions.
Eddie was an overactive little creature who suffered from separation anxiety that resulted in him chewing up the furniture and consequently finding himself at the Sheffield rescue centre for his boisterousness.
It was just this inherent nature of Eddie that made him perfect for his new job as seizure alert dog!
The dog is able to warn or alert the epilepsy sufferer about an impending seizure, so that they can take precautionary measures to get to a safe place or do the needful to prevent any injury or harm.
It is thought that the dog could predict a seizure by picking up on several different clues, he can perhaps pick up on micro expressions that go before a seizure, or he can pick up on a particular smell that may be generated by an impending convulsion, or he can sense changes in the electric field that could be disturbed by the seizure.
Regardless of how the dog does it, he is 100% accurate according to one dog owner and an epilepsy sufferer can be more relaxed, knowing that there will be warning before an attack!
Top 5 Benefits Of Yoga Relaxation
Most people begin doing yoga to benefit from the relaxation it brings about. True and complete relaxation is the end result of successful yoga practice.
Yoga relaxation pertains to a full relaxation achieved by the mind, spirit, and the body, and not just one or two of these elements. Unlike general relaxation, which refers to relaxed muscles, yoga aims to unite these elements to achieve total relaxation.
The art of yoga relaxation is achieved through various poses, and breathing techniques.
You may also be asked to meditate during various parts of your yoga session.
The time to achieve this state of relaxation will depend on how far you have gone with your yoga sessions, as well as the type of yoga you are doing.
The exhilaratingly positive feeling of being in yoga relaxation is an effective way to counter stress and anxieties we often face in our daily life.
The benefits of yoga relaxation1. You will be able to enjoy reduced stress. Yoga relaxation will allow you to see things in a different light and better perspective, through the holistic and spiritual approach of the practice.
The quiet and precise movements involved in various postures will help you think beyond and past the chaos that often noises your mind and clouds your judgment.
2. Yoga relaxation will also give you increased fitness and physical strength. You will become more flexible, poised, and have a wider range of motion. This will also benefit you from future injuries because you are more limber and less likely to injure yourself.
3. If you are suffering from chronic conditions, yoga relaxation is also an effective way to manage your pain and deal with the conditions.
It can help you in the fight against cancer, depression, heart disease, insomnia, and anxiety by clearing your mind and allowing you to make rational and logical decisions instead of emotional. Yoga relaxation also brings about lower blood pressure and reduced heart rate.
4. Yoga relaxation can also help you to lose weight. Binge-eating and other appetite disorders can be addressed with the use of yoga relaxation, because it allows you to think clearer and make more rational decisions about food.
5. It can also improve your mental condition. It can help you think clearly and free your mind from negative thoughts.
Yoga should not be seen as a complete cure-all for your ailments, but it is an excellent and wonderful alternative therapy to expensive pills that may have side effects. It can be used as complementary therapy to help one manage and deal with pains and mental stresses and anxieties.
However, if you are already enjoying a good and healthy lifestyle, yoga relaxation would still make a great activity to add to your lifestyle.
The benefits of yoga relaxation are for everyone to enjoy. It will allow you to tap into a world of energy within yourself, and allow you to see things and life better.
You will be in a better mood, and you and your loved ones will benefit from your great well-being and temperament towards things around you.
Natural Remedies For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is characterized fatigue, mental as well as physical that is chronically present for about 6 months or more.
It may follow an illness (which is why it is also known as post-viral fatigue syndrome) or may otherwise manifest itself along with other symptoms such as weakness, poor concentration, hypersensitivity, digestive disturbances, orthostatic intolerance, poor immunity, awakening tiredness from a full night’s sleep and cardiac/respiratory problems.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can considerably hamper quality of life and full recovery is not common, however it is possible to control symptoms using a number of alternative and/or complementary treatments:
GinsengSiberian Ginseng is thought to improve conditions relating to the immune system and increase count of T-lymphocytes, which are found to be low in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Ginseng is also thought to enhance the immune response of people who are HIV positive.
AntioxidantsAntioxidants can help sufferers feel more energy by aiding the absorption of iron, metabolism of cells etc and can also help wounds heal faster. Vitamins A, C and E, selenium, beta carotene are also seen to help with CFS.
AyurvedaThe traditional Indian medicine system of Ayurveda can help to improve digestion and rid the body of toxins. This healing method depends upon the individuals’ own constitution or personality type, and formulation having constituents such as ashwagandha, amla, bala, triphala, and lomatium in different proportions may be prescribed.
Chinese Traditional MedicineReishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) are thought to be helpful as treatment since they have natural antiviral, anti oxidant, anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties.
Other herbal supplementsSt John’s Wort is known to be useful in controlling certain symptoms such as depression, anxiety and sleeplessness among sufferers. Energy levels and appetite are also seen to increase, while inflammation is controlled.
Valerian is also seen to be a very effective natural sleep aid for CFS sufferers, without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical sleep aids.
Licorice is also thought to improve levels of cortisol in the body that can offer an energy boost to CFS sufferers. Caution should be exercised with this supplement however if one is seen to suffer from hypertension, heart or liver disease.
Aromatherapy for CFSEssential Oils are thought to offer redress for many of the symptoms of chronic fatigue. They can make a person feel revitalized and reenergized, help in pain management and foster feelings of positivity.
Natural Decongestants From Nature’s Bounty
Pharmaceutical decongestants and expectorants may be effective in quelling a number of uncomfortable symptoms, however they contain artificial additives as well as drugs that make you drowsy and unproductive that may best be avoided in a lot of cases.
Foods that may help: Onions are a well known natural decongestant because they are seen to loosen the mucus that hamper easy breathing.
Even the fumes of an onion as you cut it up will help to loosen the mucus and actually eating onion in its raw form will definitely have a positive impact on lessening congestion. Bell peppers and other spicy food are also seen to help relieve congestion.
Steam: Steam is the time honored, tried and tested natural way to relieve congestion. You can use a steam vaporizer or simply do it the old fashioned way: use a pot of boiled water to inhale steam covering your head with a towel to direct the steam correctly.
Adding eucalyptus oil to the water is seen to enhance the benefits of steam inhalation.
A Neti Pot: This item helps direct saline water into the nasal passages to help clear them in a natural and painless way. Even without a neti pot, inhaling salt water through your nose in the correct manner will help to relieve your congestion.
Earthworms To Treat Cancer?
Although many of us would be skeptical if not downright revolted at the idea of earthworms curing any of our ailments, the fact is that earthworms have been closely associated with medicine for a while now.
In certain parts of eastern Asia, earthworms are eaten with bread to help get rid of stones in the bladder. Earthworms are also used to relieve rheumatism pain by Nanticoke Indians of Delaware.
And now there is promising new research that shows earthworms can be a possible alternative cure for cancer.
The reason that earthworms in particular could hold a key to cancer cure is because of their unique ability to remain immune to malignant disease. Many other invertebrates are also immune in the same way.
The immune system of earthworms is actually seen to kill cancer cells. The current challenge that scientists face is to be able to identify the molecules in the cells of the earthworms that can fight cancer cells and currently research is on using rodent, canine and human in vivo systems.
It would be interesting to see when it may become possible to harness this power of earthworms to fight cancer.
Alternative Therapies For Pets That Work
As with humans, alternative therapies also may work differently with different animals and to different degrees, however an increasing number of vets supplement western therapies with alternative ones to bring about the most efficacious cure. Alternative therapies that animals may respond well to are:
Acupuncture: For problems such as arthritis this may work very well indeed – for bacterial infections of a fractured limb on the other hand, this may not be the answer.
Physical therapy: There can be several different types of physical therapy that can help animals – for instance they can benefit greatly from massage.
Chiropractic care for animals is seen to help manage a long list of ills such as different aches and pain of the limbs, joints and spine. Chiropractic treatment can help in recovering from a surgery, orthopedic disease and with issues relating to bowel, bladder and other chronic internal medical issues. Hydrotherapy and physical rehabilitation aimed at animals can also help considerably.
Chinese herbal medicines: A knowledgeable practitioner can use these also to great effect. However, keep in mind that if you use this therapy in conjunction with mainstream therapy, mention what you are using to your vet so that any medical reactions etc can be avoided.
