Archive for the 'Alternative' Category

The Benefits Of Aromatherapy

December 7th, 2008 -- Posted in Alternative | No Comments »

In the midst of all the alternative medicine treatments that you’ve heard about recently, you may have noticed aromatherapy mentioned a few times. Many dismiss the idea of using scents to bring medical results as quackery, and that’s understandable in many ways. There’s a lot of information about aromatherapy that comes from people who speak about it based on their spiritual beliefs and a paucity of information that comes from detailed medical studies. As a medical treatment in Western nations, it’s still a little new, so there’s still much to learn about it. Let’s explore some of the ways that aromatherapy does help people so you know how to better incorporate it into your life.

As A Medical Practice

The determinant of aromatherapy comes from the use of essential oils, which are extracted from plants using distilling processes, resulting in concentrated liquids that are often very fragrant. In France, where aromatherapy is used in concert with traditional medical practices, but it’s for the antiseptic properties of the essential oils more than anything. In France, essential oils are sometimes prescribed and administered by a physician to target harmful organisms that might lead to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

If you’re wondering where the “aroma” part of aromatherapy comes in, there are traditional medical practices in the United States in which the scents of various compounds result in an alleviation of symptoms of illness. The one most people are familiar with is the use of things such as Vicks VapoRub or Halls cough drops to help drain clogged sinuses and throats. Aromatic chemicals such as menthol and eucalyptus bring an alleviation of those symptoms, which are often associated with colds.

As Stress Therapy

When you begin to venture out of such applications and begin to talk about alleviating stress with aromatherapy, then you start to get into ideas that come less from observed scientific evidence than from everyday theories. Aromatherapy is often suggested as a way to alleviate symptoms of stress in people and for other effects. For instance, basil oil is quite frequently suggested to ease the effects of depression and to help you to concentrate, while lavender is used for relaxation.

Although many of these supposed effects aren’t determined through scientific study, it’s easy enough to notice that pleasant scents can make people feel cheerier. In that respect, it wouldn’t hurt to practice a little aromatherapy at home; at best, it really will help and at worst, you still end up surrounded by nice scents. So, whether you’re using it for medical purposes or just to relax, aromatherapy offers something for you.

More health information can be found at BroadcastArchives.net Health Blog. There are also informative health videos at Broadcastarchives.net/health

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Is An Acupuncture Career A Good One?

September 6th, 2008 -- Posted in Alternative | No Comments »

Way back career options were very limited.  In times past, children would follow in their parent’s footsteps when it came to career choices. However, in this day and age you have the freedom to choose any career path imaginable.

There are many options open to everyone, such as becoming a doctor, starting a acupuncture career and flying a plane. No longer will social status and class be a hinder to future employment. It is not uncommon for children as young as five years old to be asked what they want to be when they grow up. However, its a probability there aren’t many kids who want to grow up and be practitioners of alternative medicine, that choice does exist for them.
 
An acupuncture career can provide positive results for many different groups of people, which can make being a acupuncturist an attractive one.  Students deciding to study acupuncture, which is recognized by coaches and sports therapists, can treat athletes and others involved in sports.

Modern psychologists approve of acupuncture because it has been shown to relieve depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Acupuncture is generally supported by those in the medical field, because of its positive affect on sore muscles and other illnesses.

Alternative medicine including oriental medicine and acupuncture is an industry that makes billions of dollars every year. This is because for mental and health issues people are turning to acupuncture a different and naturalistic way of being treated,  also for this reason its popularity is likely to double in next twenty years.  When more people begin to request a certain service, this leads to an increased need for more acupuncturist’s.

In the United States, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has a requirement that licensing and training be complete for all acupuncturist’s.  This training is actually quite extensive and can take many years, definitely not as easy as running down to the local city hall and picking up a piece of paper. To identify a patient’s problem, plan a course of treatment and then begin an actual treatment course are all things that bring into play the training the student received.

Choosing an educational facility that provides acupuncture career training means individuals need to consider certain factors. Are hands-on training opportunities available at the facility? Is the information provided vast and rich? Is there in-depth teaching and instruction available? 

Most of all, is the school accredited to provide training in acupuncture? If the school has decent training but no credentials to back its certification, it is advised that one avoid the wasted time and effort and instead look for a better school.

Acupuncture is a wonderful and positive career choice. With the right education and skills, acupuncture training can be a solid investment in the future for anyone who chooses this career path.

More articles and information about an acupuncture career can be found on our web site.

 

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Losing Weight With Herbal Treatments

August 28th, 2008 -- Posted in Alternative | No Comments »

green tea bags

These days, there is a great  need for overweight Americans to lose those excess pounds. Being healthy would not only lead them to have a healthier lifestyle but it will also literally lighten their load,  and improve their overall well-being.

There is a long  list of dieting options available. There are exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills - there are even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe.

One other available option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to  go herbal.

Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you would have to wait for a longer time for the results because of the more subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.

Here are some herbal weight loss options that you might want to consider:

1.   Herbal weight loss products

There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available in the market now. You can check out the Internet and you will find a lot of herbal weight loss pills and products.

Be careful, however, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have  side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products. Many also claim cure for many ailments or diseases, which should first be verified by your physician.

Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up some  herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for, as they might have harmful effects to your health:

>  Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.

>  Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level.  However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.

>  St. John’s wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itching.

Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and  research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.

2.  Organic food.

In Wichita, Kansas, organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees  believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.

A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products.

3. Green Tea.

Studies show that intake of hoodia green tea, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing fat.

This is one good option for those who want to lose weight. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.

These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an emmediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.

3. Caffeine.

Coffee provides an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.

4. Immortality Herb

This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:

>  increases healthy blood flow
>  reduces artery blocks
>  aids healthy blood pressure
>  increases the rate of fat burning

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

There are pills and food supplements whose main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:

>  weight loss
>  improved cholesterol level
>  improved high blood pressure
>  helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis

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Immediate Natural Relief for Asthma

August 23rd, 2008 -- Posted in Alternative | No Comments »

One out of every 15 students will experience asthma attacks. It has an effect on physical activity, sports involvement, school, friends, and every aspect of their life. A number of individuals prefer fast, natural relief to deal with their asthma attacks, and avoid the use of chemicals. However, asthma treatment
through natural remedies depends upon the trigger that started the attack.

There are a number of ways that an asthma attack can be triggered. Among the many triggers are mold, pets, chemicals, smoke, perfume, cleaning agents, food allergies, emotional stress, environmental allergens, changes in barometric pressure, cold temperatures, and pests like rats and cockroaches.

Most of the solutions to asthmatic attacks include medications, steroids and long term medical treatments. An immediate way to naturally treat your asthma is to avoid common triggers such as stress, pollutants, chemicals and pets. You can’t escape some triggers, such as pest and animal droppings, cold temperatures and fluctuations in barometric pressure.

Other triggers such as emotional stressors can be treated with natural remedies such as stress reducers. Others utilize an organic diet and herbal treatments to lower the risk of an asthma attack.

Another way of obtaining natural relief from asthma symptoms is to build up your immune system and reduce the constrictions of the air sacs found in the lungs. Adding aerosolized hydrogen peroxide to a humidifier enables the asthma sufferer to metabolize a greater amount of oxygen.

It’s been shown that using hydrogen peroxide in the humidifier raises the level of oxygen available for use. Adding the hydrogen peroxide will vaporize the product but will also bleach out the wall and curtains near the vaporizer. With careful use, and if your doctor permits it, hydrogen peroxide can be added to the equipment that delivers your bronchodilator.

This method works to eliminate attacks and helps to enhance your immune system, but it doesn’t get to the root causes of the disease. Other methods of decreasing emotional stress will also give immediate natural relief for an asthma attack caused by stress. One method is the use of Reiki or a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing.

In English, the meaning of Reiki is usually translated as “life force energy”. If the life flow is low then we are supposedly more likely at that time to get sick and feel stress. With heightened Reiki comes more happiness, health and capability. Reiki gives instant natural relief from asthma symptoms, and also heals the entire system - mind, body, spirit and emotions.

Natural relief for asthma symptoms such as stress reduction and other preventative practices will go a long way to reducing your dependence on medications.

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