Alternative Medicine | Colorado Homeopathy

Spreading the Word of Natural Healing to the Elderly

Over the past few years people have started to make a switch from traditional medical treatments to natural herbal remedies for many illnesses and diseases. Getting the word out there for such a switch is easy when it comes to a younger audience connected to the Internet, but what do you do if you wish to spread that word to the elderly?

There are many natural remedies that are believed to cure conditions that are common in the elderly such as arthritis, back pain and intestinal problems. The problem is that many elderly people do not know about these natural treatments and therefore do not give them a try.

That is why many people who practice natural healing are trying to get the message to the many elderly people who could benefit from natural healing treatments. Here are some of the ways that people are reaching out to the elderly to spread the word on natural healing.

1. Visits to Assisted Living Centers

Many assisted living facilities allow visiting speakers to make presentations. Natural healers are taking the time to present courses and hold informational sessions as these places. It is a great way to spread the word to an otherwise untouched market.

2. Spreading Fliers Around in Community Centers

Community centers are great meeting places for elderly people. Placing fliers in the community center allows the elderly to learn about the benefits of natural healing and could possibly inspire them to give it a try.

3. Free Trial Offers

Free trial offers bring in people of all ages but can also inspire the elderly to give natural healing a try. Many natural practicitioners are offering free first time treatments, free first visits and other offers to get people in the door.

These efforts are great ways to get the word out there to elderly people who may not know about natural healing.

Filed Under: Care & Cure, Drug Treatment · Tagged With: Alternative medicine, Assisted living, Health, Herbalism, Naturopathy, Old age, Therapy, United States

The Benefits of Alternative Medicine

There are many reasons people choose to use alternative medicines in order to complement traditional medicine. Some people would prefer alternative medicines as a substitute for the many traditional drugs that are on the market. Alternative medicine has both benefits and downfalls.

Firstly it is important to note that alternative medicines generally work. They cannot be used when someone is in a severe emergency situation but there are many other situations in which alternative medicine is beneficial.

When it comes to the spiritual and emotional needs of a patient alternative medicine may offer solutions that conventional methods cannot. Also alternative health medicine is great for preventing illnesses and improving the overall health of the body. Today many doctors recognize this and advise their clients to take natural treatments.

One of the biggest benefits of alternative medicines is that there are so many systems to choose from. This means that there is something for everyone out there.

A downside of using these natural health methods is the cost involved. While some natural medicines are much cheaper than their conventional alternatives others are more expensive. This is due to the fact that some ingredients are difficult to find. Also most people do not have health insurance coverage for alternative treatments such as acupuncture or massage.

One aspect that many people overlook when they are using alternative medicine is the risk that is involved. As people tend to think vitamins and supplements are harmless they believe that they can take as many herbal pills and treatments as they want without consequence. The reality is that overdosing on anything can lead to serious health concerns. Some people may have allergies that they are not aware of. The best way to address this situation is to follow the instructions on the label and consult a professional if any problems are experienced.

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Health · Tagged With: Alternative medicine

When to Use Alternative Medicine

Some alternative medicine therapies have been in use for thousands of years. The effectiveness of the medicine varies. Some people react to certain medicines better than others and this often leads to people asking themselves when and in what circumstances should they be using alternative medicines.

Conventional medicine has science and research backing it. In general the benefits of many alternative therapies have not been proven by science. Because of this many people are quick to disregard alternative therapies. However more recent studies have sown that alternative medicine is beneficial to the health and doctors are now embracing this type of whole health medicine.

Alternative medicines should be used in non-emergency situations. Patients should keep in mind that what works for someone else may not work for them. Alternative medicine is highly individualized. This is not the case with conventional medicine. Conventional medicine treats the symptoms of illness with drugs that will work on everybody. However these treatments are not holistic and some people will suffer side effects.

The best way to go about using alternative medicine with or an a substitute to traditional medicine is to consult a doctor. You doctor will be able to tell you if you have any underlying health issues that could react with certain therapies or substances. They will also be able to tell you if the current drugs you are taking will react with any natural substances.

There are plenty of resources available on most types of alternative health regimes online. The key to picking the right one is to simply do some research. Once a patient has researched what health systems will improve their symptoms they can then discuss their planned program with a doctor or an alternative health specialist. Specialists will also be able to help those who feel overwhelmed by the many choices that are available with alternative health medicine.

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Health · Tagged With: Alternative medicine

Treating Urinary Tract Infections With Alternative Medicine

The first time that woman gets infected with a urinary tract infection it can be treated with a dose of antibiotics. However twenty percent of women experience a recurrence of this infection. If it was to be treated with antibiotics again it could lead to the body developing a resistance to antibiotics. Another option that sufferers of urinary tract infection can opt for is alternative medicine. This can be used to prevent and treat the symptoms of urinary tract infection.

Those that suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections will need a potent natural compound that will aid in flushing out the bacteria from the urinary tract. These herbs also help prevent this type of infection by having anti-bacterial properties that to the buildup of bacteria.

There are three herbs that can benefit someone in this situation. These are Buchu, Uva Ursi and Yarrow. These herbs cleanse the urinary tract of bacteria and prevent it from building up again. Yarrow is good for helping relieve the inflammation and maintaining a healthy system.

In some cases herbal remedies will not be enough despite how potent they are. If a patient is taking medicines and not experiencing any relief they should contact their doctor. If they are in fact resistant to antibiotics the doctor will have other medicines to treat stubborn recurrent urinary tract infections.

In order to prevent these infections using alternative health methods one must use a holistic health approach. There are many herbal supplements and remedies on the market for bladder infections. The biggest benefits that these provide is that many of them do not have any side effects. These supplements can help build the overall health of the bladder and urinary tract system. It is best to discuss plans to approach this problem with a doctor as some infections will be severe enough to need antibiotics.

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Health · Tagged With: Alternative medicine, Treating Urinary

Fibromyalgia and Alternative Medicine

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is characterized by muscle, joint and body aches. There is no cure for this illness. Because of this doctors treat the symptoms in order to help sufferers relieve the pain.

As there is no cure for this illness the first thing that doctors will recommend is for the patient to take a look at their diet and lifestyle. While living a more healthful lifestyle may not cure the illness it will give the patient a stronger body to fight it off with. In terms of alternative medicine this may mean to take vitamins, supplements and natural heath remedies.

However alternative health is not all about ingesting natural ingredients. An alternative health medicine plan will take a holistic approach to a person’s health. A specialist at a natural health clinic will do this by talking to the patient about their needs. They will then describe alternative health methods that will help their body, mind and spirit.

Due to the pain that this illness causes many people will not be able to exercise. Some alternative health methods may be to take up some gentle yoga. Another approach is to try to the ease the pain with massage or acupuncture.

Unfortunately some of these treatments can be rather expensive. Because of this it is important that Fibromyalgia sufferers invest in a good health insurance plan. Most health insurance plans do not cover many alternative treatments. The ones that do tend to be more expensive. However the benefit to them is that they also tend to be flexible. This is important for people with this illness as while some treatments may provide relief for one person it may not for others. The effectiveness of natural treatments are highly individual and a patient will have to try a few different treatment types to find one that works for them.

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Health · Tagged With: Alternative medicine, Fibromyalgia

Treating Diabetes With Alternative Medicine

Diabetes is an illness where sugar and starch cannot be properly absorbed into the blood stream. There are two types of diabetes. The first is called type one diabetes and the second is two two diabetes. Both of these types of diabetes can be treated with alternative medicine.

As diabetes is a very serious illness that can lead to death it is important that patients consult with their doctor before they try any type of alternative medicine. By keeping their doctor involved with their treatment plan patients can avoid harmful effects of certain medications. In the case of diabetes it is more likely that a patient will use it to complement their current course of treatment as opposed to replacing their treatment with alternative health medicine.

One alternative therapy that is recommended for people with diabetes is acupuncture. This is a practice that involves placing needles in specific points in order to release the natural painkillers in the body. This of course lessens the pain that a sufferer is feeling.

Two supplements that have the potential to help diabetes sufferers are ginseng and magnesium. Diabetics tend to have lower levels of magnesium in their body than other people. Researchers think that by using a magnesium supplement sufferers could potentially control their diabetes. Many people believe that ginseng has the ability to lower glucose levels in the blood. Because of this it is thought to be a suitable supplement for diabetics.

It is important to be aware that research on these two supplements and diabetes has not discovered what amount of the supplement would be needed in order to have therapeutic effects.

As diabetes is such a serious illness it cannot be stressed enough that sufferers involve their doctor in their treatment plan. By failing to do this a diabetic could find themselves experiencing nasty side affects that could lead to more severe problems.

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Health · Tagged With: Alternative medicine, Diabetes

Put Together a Home Remedy Kit

: Image via Wikipedia

If you are tired of taking a pill for everything that ails you, it is time to consider putting together a home remedy kit. There are several natural treatments for a wide variety of common complaints that are perfectly safe with no side effects. You will also find that these natural remedies are much less expensive than prescription medication.

The first thing you want to include in your home kit is tablets of Vitamin C. It stimulates the bodies immune system and will help fight off any type of virus or infection that pops up. Echinacea is another natural agent which has been shown to help battle the symptoms of the flu or common cold, if taken when the first symptoms pop up, it can cut the duration of the cold.

There are a number of other homeopathic remedies that should be included in the home kit. Belladonna helps with fevers and nux vomica can counter nausea. When it comes to muscle aches and strains, arnica is a favorite home remedy. It can be taken by mouth or applied to the area of pain. Arnica not only helps with muscle aches but it is good for bruising as well.

Alternative medicine has a number of treatments for allergic reactions and itching. Apis Mellifica works well for bug bites and bee stings. Aloe is a great natural remedy which will provide soothing relief from burns, including sunburn. If you want an alternative to antihistamines, Urtica dioica is a natural remedy which is used with similar results. Urtica dioica is also known as stinging nettle. The plant substance has anti-inflammatory effects which also make it an excellent treatment for arthritis and gout. Lucidia is another natural product promoted for its ability to help allergy sufferers, it is a combination treatment using stinging nettle and material from the reishi mushroom.

Filed Under: Drug Treatment, Health · Tagged With: Allergy, Alternative medicine, Home remedy

Prescription Drug Rehab and Homeopathic Remedies

Prescription drugs aren’t for everyone. For someone who has an addictive personality, they can be exceedingly dangerous. They lead to instances of prescription drug rehab each and every year – and some people struggle to get clean for the rest of their lives. While some conditions absolutely require a prescription medication, there are many other problems that can be treated with homeopathy and natural remedies. Unless it’s a life-threatening emergency, you might want to talk to a natural medicine practitioner before you start on a regime of prescription medication that you’ll likely never be able to come off of.

Most natural remedies have no side effects. Others have very few. In general, these kinds of treatments don’t have the serious side effects that prescription drugs have. With prescriptions, the list of side effects that could occur are often far worse than the disease or condition itself. Of course, not everyone experiences these side effects – but why would you want to take something that could cause those kinds of problems if you don’t absolutely have to? Some people fear natural medicine, or they don’t believe in it. If you go to a trusted source, though, it’s very safe and can be highly effective.

Natural substances have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, often with a lot of success. Even science and the medical community now realize that there are some natural medicines that do appear to have healing properties. When used correctly, these natural options are very safe. Like anything else, they can be dangerous if they aren’t consumed in the proper dose. Always get a professional to help you if you’re considering natural medicine, so you don’t risk using the wrong thing or getting an incorrect amount.

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Care & Cure, Drug Treatment, Exercise · Tagged With: Alternative medicine, Health, Homeopathy, Medicine, Pharmaceutical drug, Pharmacy, Prescription drug, Shopping

Eating the Ayurvedic Way

: Image by kennyphoto1 via Flickr

Ayurvedic medicine is considered “alternative” in western culture, but has been practiced in India and surrounding areas for many years. Ayurveda focuses on holistic healing of ailments through natural remedies including the use of plants, vegetables, herbs, oils, yoga, and massage. Another part of ayurveda includes aligning and balancing energies within the body. Ayurvedic medicine is varied and personal, as each individual body has its own unique properties and nuances, but there are a few simple tips involving eating habits that can introduce you to some ayurvedic principles, as well as help you get the most from your food.

Tip number one: try not to miss meals. Without regular feedings, your body will run out of the fuel it needs. Without proper fuel, your body activates adrenalin and other hormones designed to give you a short burst of energy because it thinks there is a problem. Relying on these stress chemicals can cause adverse side effects like irritability, anger, extreme fatigue, and intense food cravings for high-fat, high-sugar, quick energy foods. The old three balanced meals per day suggestion will keep your reserves saved for when there’s a real emergency.

Number two tip: eat a big lunch and a smaller dinner. The way Americans tend to dine is by having two small meals early in the day and then a large dinner late in the evening. Ayurvedic thought says that the body’s digestive routines slow down at night, and just when you should be resting, your body instead is forced to process a big amount of food. Eat your biggest meal at lunchtime, when your body is ready for and craving fuel, and you’ll be able to more effectively burn off those calories and utilize the nutrients.

The third and final ayurvedic eating tip is to stop snacking. Many people get hungry between meals, but if you don’t take a break between bouts of food ingestions, your body can’t burn stored fat. Instead, it must focus on digesting all the new food it’s being given. Sticking to three daily meals will help your body burn fat between eating sessions.

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Care & Cure, Health · Tagged With: Alternative medicine, Ayurveda, Yoga

Alternative Medicine Shouldn’t be “Alternative”

: Image via Wikipedia

“Alternative medicine” used to mean any medicinal practice that was outside the boundaries of “conventional” medicine, which is western medicine the way it’s known today: doctors, ERs, and a focus on treatment rather than prevention. Some people are wary of alternative medicine because they fear a process that seems weird, but many alternative healing techniques have existed for centuries or more, and are used with great success in many cultures. Alternative medicine is becoming a standard in treatment for many people, and it often works—better and for longer—when popping pills or being tested and retested does not.

Many alternative healing practices are also similar to western medicine, but used differently. For example, acupuncture is the process of inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote wellness. Skilled acupuncturists can even treat migraines and allergies. But rarely do patients inquire about acupuncture as a first resort when seeking care. The idea of being poked with needles is off-putting, and yet how many times have most people been pricked with needles by their regular doctors in a lifetime? Acupuncture needle pricks rarely draw blood and are almost never painful. How many people can say that about having blood drawn or getting allergy tested or vaccinated? If acupuncture needles were a person’s first needle experience, perhaps a fear of needles could be avoided, and the “alternative” would become the primary.

Western medicine is great if you get shot or have a real medical emergency. But a lack of wellness treatment or prevention is creating a spike in the use of alternative healing. Practices such as acupressure, aromatherapy, massage, cranio-sacral manipulation, acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, herbalism, ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, “traditional” Chinese and Tibetan medicine are all increasing in popularity in the United States as people seek ways not just to heal wounds, but to feel better emotionally and mentally. Being physically healthy is only a part of enjoying life. Many of these alternative methodologies include attention to stress, nutrition, movement, and creativity to take care of all aspects of a patient’s well-being, not just their body.

Filed Under: Health · Tagged With: Alternative, Alternative medicine