July 8, 2009
A Primer on Alternative Medicine
Alternative Medicine has been gaining popularity in the west in recent years. Frustrated with ineffective therapies or medications that cause severe side effects, many people have turned to other therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal medicine to heal whatever ails them. Still others take herbal supplements as a preventative measure to guard against high cholesterol and heart disease. While many of these therapies can be effective, some also offer false hope in curing conditions where traditional medicine is actually more effective.
Acupuncture is a centuries old Chinese therapy used to unblock the body’s energy along points called meridians. The acupuncturist uses long, thin needles, sticking them in the skin in certain areas. The theory to acupuncture is that the body contains energy which is also called chi. When the chi is unable to flow freely, pain develops. By unblocking these areas, the chi can again flow freely and the pain subsides. Studies have shown positive results when using this therapy for nausea associated with pregnancy, chemotherapy and post surgery. It is mostly used for pain.
Homeopathy is a form of medicine where it is believed that the substance that could cause the problem is what can cure you. It is used for chronic illnesses like arthritis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome but not considered appropriate for serious diseases like cancer and heart disease. These medicines are delivered via alcohol-based tinctures or sugar pellets placed under the tongue. Many critics state that homeopathic medicines are too diluted to cure, but studies show a difference between these concoctions and placebos. More research is needed to gauge their effectiveness.
Herbal medicine is the most popular alternative therapy today. Formulas are created for nearly every condition under the sun and are widely available at pharmacies without a prescription. They are especially popular in diet pills and for depression. These are taken in supplement form and many times do not have the same side effects as medication. Many consider these safer and less expensive alternatives to prescription drugs. A good example of this is the natural appetite suppressant hoodia, which is thousands of times more effective than glucose in telling the brain the body is full, without the same side effects as harmful stimulants like caffeine or the now-banned ephedra.
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Filed under Homeopathy by Dr. Waqas Yousaf
