Water For Health

Posts Tagged ‘Alternative Medicine’

Herbs have been used for healing purposes and to promote wellness since from the ancient times. Nowadays, herbal medicines, and health and dietary supplements are flooding the markets today. People have begun to recognize the usage of herbal medicines and natural remedies because of the numerous advantages it has. The use of herbal medicine is widespread and growing. In fact, herbs are always the alternative medicine and primary source of health care for more people in the world.

People are greatly concerned about the efficacy and side effects of many synthetic drugs, and hence choose herbal medicines for providing a safe and natural alternative treatment for many health problems. Among the many benefits in using herbal medicines, some of them are as follows:

Herbal medicines are not categorized as medicines but are treated as food as they are natural products. Herbal medicines need not be tested to prove that they work well and are safe before they are sold. Herbal medicines are even more convenient to buy. You can buy herbal medicines without a prescription. Herbal medicines are much cheaper than synthetic drugs.

The use of herbal medicines in the right way provides effective and safe treatment for many ailments. The effectiveness of the herbal medicines is mostly subjective to the patient. The potency of the herbal medicines varies based on the genetic variation of the herbs, growing conditions of the herbs, timing and method of harvesting of the herbs, exposure of the herbs to air, light and moisture, and type of preservation of the herbs.

Herbal medicines can be used for healing purposes and to promote wellness. Herbal medicines are not addictive or habit forming, but are powerful nutritional agents that support the body naturally. Herbal medicines promote health and serve as excellent healing agents without side effects. Chinese herbs are taken as tonics to enhance physical and mental well-being. Herbal medicines are safe and effective for health, healing, weight loss/gain/maintenance, etc. Herbal medicine can nourish the body’s deepest and most basic elements.

Herbal medicines are great body balancers that help regulate body functions. Natural therapies such as herbal medicines can be used to support balance process of our body. Herbal medicines offer the nutrients that the body fails to receive due to poor diet or environmental deficiencies in the soil and air.

Herbal medicines can be used to treat many diseases such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome, etc., and can be used for maintaining general health. Herbal preparations are the best when taken under the guidance of a trained professional. When used correctly, herbal medicines are considered safer than conventional medications.

Though herbal medicines have so many advantages, herbal medicines does not necessarily mean safe for you always. Many natural substances and herbal medicines can be harmful if taken in over doses or if used wrongly. More over, herbal medicines may not be pure sometimes. Unregulated, herbal products may be mislabeled and may contain undeclared additives and adulterants. They may also include other things such as plant pollen or contaminants that could make you sick. Hence, it is always wise to consult with your doctor first before taking your herbal medications. Testing and standardized manufacturing of herbal medicines and supplements is needed, in order to have the full benefits of herbal medicines. Researches reveal that all herbal medicines should be stopped 2 weeks before any surgery.

There has been a surge in recent years of people looking to alternative medicine for treatment of illness. It is a practice that generates a great deal of controversy both inside and outside of the traditional world of medicine, and an issue that some experts say does not receive enough attention.

What Is Alternative Medicine? The most commonly accepted definition of alternative medicine is a treatment or substance that is untested or unproven using accepted scientific standards. Common types of alternative medicine include herbs, supplements, therapies and activity programs that fall outside of traditional medical practice and are questionable in terms of safety and effectiveness. For example, acupuncture, massage, meditation, herbal teas, and plant extracts are quite popular forms of alternative medicine that many medical doctors say are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst for some conditions.

Why Is Alternative Medicine So Popular? Alternative medicine has grown in popularity as more and more people face the inevitable aches, pains and illnesses that come with aging. In some cases, traditional medicine has failed to produce a cure and patients go in search of other options for treatment of their illness. In other cases, patients believe strongly that natural methods of treating illness are superior to traditional medicine so they seek treatment from alternative practitioners rather than medical doctors.

The Risks Of Alternative Medicine Some of the greatest risks associated with alternative medicine come from the use of substances that are untested, ineffective, and sometimes unsafe. The makers of such substances often make exaggerated claims of effectiveness and/or misrepresent the science associated with the substance in order to convince consumers to buy their product, even if use of the product may endanger the consumer’s health or well-being.

For example, some herbal remedies are promoted as having the ability to improve memory, increase metabolism, or even cure diseases like cancer and heart disease. In practice, though, some remedies may actually cause physiological harm when taken in excessive amounts, ephedra being one well-publicized recent example. Another risk is that a person with a serious condition such as cancer, heart disease or some other chronic illness will forego more traditional treatments that have been proven effective in favor of alternative treatments that are of questionable value. They may be literally risking their lives by treating illness with unproven alternative medicines rather than scientifically validated traditional medicines. Another common risk associated with alternative medicine is when a patient uses both traditional and alternative methods of treatment but does not disclose this to their medical doctor. It is very common for prescription medications to produce negative interactions when taken at the same time as alternative medicines like herbs and plant extracts. These interactions may range from diminished effectiveness all the way up to and including toxicity that causes serious harm. If the medical doctor is not made aware of any other substances the patient may be taking, he or she may unknowingly prescribe a medication that produces and unwanted or harmful interaction.

How To Recognize Potentially Risky Alternative Medicines A good rule of thumb to follow is that if a product, substance or therapy sounds too good to be true then it probably is. While you may already be familiar with this cliché, it is worth repeating because it is often true when it comes to alternative medicine. Beware of any product that claims to be “miraculous”, “a scientific breakthrough”, “amazingly effective”, “an ancient remedy”, “a secret formula” or possess some other attribute that supposedly makes it superior to more traditional medicines.

If you are considering an alternative form of therapy, such as reflexology, acupuncture, biofeedback or the like, carefully check the qualifications of the therapy practitioner before undergoing treatment. What kind of training has he or she received, and is that training from a reputable source? Research the treatment itself to determine if it is something that has been scientifically tested, evaluated, and found to be effective. Don’t take the practitioner’s word for it, and don’t accept at face value the claims of anyone who stands to make money or benefit in some way if you choose to undergo the treatment.

Finally, ask your doctor about any form of alternative medicine that you are considering. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so then find a doctor with whom you feel more at ease and discuss the alternative treatment you are considering. Remember that a trained medical professional has the education and experience to help you make good, safe decisions about whether or not to use alternative medicine.

Every woman knows that there are some stages in their menstrual cycle when they feel their breasts are a little tender, their stomach a bit bigger, and their legs somewhat thicker because of fluid retention. This condition, which is also known as edema, is pretty normal. More often than not, these problems disappear after a few days. However, fluid retention, especially the ones that last for a couple weeks, may be a symptom of more serious conditions. It is wise to go to the doctor and have yourself checked, especially if edema is coupled with palpitations, decrease in peeing, shortness of breath and pain in the leg muscles.

If your water retention problem is cyclical or is part of hormonal imbalance caused by menopause, there are actually ways to flush out the fluid safely and naturally. Here are some pointers to getting rid of water retention fast:

Drink Up

People think that if they are bloated, they are probably consuming too much water so the logical thing to do is to stop drinking this precious fluid. The argument may appear sound, but depriving your body with water is not really a good idea. When you are dehydrated, your kidneys will be in a conservation mode and will try to retain fluid to make sure that your body has enough to perform important functions. In fact, the underlying reason why you are suffering from edema is the fact that you dehydrated. If you want to prevent being bloated, try drinking about 2 quarts of water everyday.

Jump For Joy

You may see no reason to jump for joy if your belly seems bloated and your legs are so round. According to alternative medicine practitioners, jumping is actually effective in improving your circulation and help flush out surplus fluids in your body. The upward and downward movements improve and stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for moving and draining fluids.

You will see significant improvement with regard to your water retention woes after bouncing on a trampoline or doing jumping jacks for 10 to 15 minutes each day. You can stop these exercises as soon as you feel that your retention woes have disappeared.

Try Diuretics From Nature’s Bounty

If you are not suffering from any serious conditions, you can do away with diuretic drugs and pills. Instead, eat one or more servings of foods that are natural diuretics. Foods that you may want to include in your everyday fare are celery, parsley and watermelon because they are the best diuretics nature can offer. Other foods that can also help flush excess water out of your system include carrots, asparagus, alfalfa sprouts, and artichokes.

Feel Dandy With Dandelion

Dandelion’s leaf has been known as an effective remedy for bloating problems. Taking supplements of dandelion leaf extract three times everyday will help give you relief from water retention caused by high blood pressure. Dandelion leaf is actually safe so you can take it indefinitely. However, if you are pregnant or have swollen legs, you should only take dandelion leaf supplement only until the symptoms of bloating are under control. Moreover, seek the advise of your doctor before taking any natural remedies.

Go Easy On The Salt

If you do not know what is causing your water retention problems, then it is time to check your diet. People who eat a high-salt diet are usually prone to bloating and swelling. If you want to get rid of your short-term fluid retention troubles, then cut back your salt, ketchup, processed foods, chips, and other foods that are high in sodium.

One product that is also helpful in safely easing your bloating problems during menopause and post-menopause is Expelis. Find out more about other people’s testimonies about this product by visiting http://www.expelis.com/.