Alternative Medicine

What is Alternative Medicine?

What is Alternative Medicine A variety of therapeutic or preventative health care practises: This includes: - Homeopathy - Naturopathy - Chiropractic - Herbal Medicine

What is Homeopathy?

What is Homeopathy? A system of alternative medicine, based on the doctrine of “similia similibus curentur” which means “like cures like”. Using fire to fight fire Therefore a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people, will sure similar symptoms in sick people

Homeopathy History Hippocrates was believed to be the originator of homeopathy. He prescribed mandrake root, which in larger doses produces mania, to cure mania

Homeopathy Treatment 1. Identify the symptoms 2. Find remedy associated with symptom in question 3. Use a highly diluted form of a substance (diluted in water or alcohol) which causes the symptoms (mandrake root) to cure the problem condition/ disease

What do similar principles apply to?

Potential Problems?

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy A form of alternative medicine that favors a more holistic approach with non-invasive treatment (surgery and drugs) Focuses on social, physical, and spiritual healing

Examples

Examples Acupuncture Applied Kinesiology Colonic enemas Nutrition Fasting Meditation Traditional Chinese Medicine

Future of Naturopathy Becoming increasingly recognized and practised In some countries/provinces, Naturopaths are finally recognized

Potential Problems

Chiropractic

Chiropractic A form of alternative medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system

Procedures Procedures include: Spinal manipulation Applied Kinesiology Relaxation and stress reduction techniques Disease prevention/screening

Accreditation Qualified Chiropractors practice this style of medicine Extremely competitive program Highly respected

Possible issues?

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine The study and use of the medicinal properties of plants for medicinal means

Herbal Medicine Been around for thousands of years Many ancient civilizations have had surviving writings documenting medicinal properties of many types of plants. Use of herbs to treat disease is almost universal among non-industrilized societies

Herbal Medicine Estimated that roughly ½ of Americans use some sort of herbal medicine/ supplement Popularity has been increased greatly from trying to find compounds in plants to treat various diseases. 25% of modern drugs have natural origins

Examples Bearberry: The leaves are mixed with tobacco and smoked during ceremonies. The stems and leaves were boiled to treat diarrhoea, and the plant is also used to treat kidney infections. Common Hop: Hops have a long history of inducing sleep and Europeans put the seed cones in their pillows for that reason. American Indians also believed in their tranquilizing properties.

Other Examples Spices: Studies show that in tropical climates where pathogens are the most abundant, recipes are the most highly spiced. Further, the spices with the most potent antimicrobial activity tend to be selected

Potential Problems

Scientific view on topic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDBkeYSxPtY