When you get sick, you go to the doctor. And the doctor will, of course, prescribe medicines. You will go and buy medicines. You take them, and hopefully, you get well.

This is how the health profession goes on nowadays - a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.

If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine, you would probably say that that person was a quack.

But nowadays, studies are being conducted to see if there are really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of natural methods, herbal medicines, and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures, village medicine men served as the doctors of the community, passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.

Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine.

Usually, natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine.

This includes herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, which is prevalent in Chinese, Ayurvedic(or Indian), and Greek medicine.

Upon the advent of modern medicine, many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.

For example, opium, digitalis, quinine, and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine.

Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases, natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine

Before we continue, it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.

Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However, only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough, colds, fever, skin rashes, and its ilk are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects.

Currently there are numerous organizations that study the effects and advocacy of natural medicine - among which is herbal medicine. Some governments and health agencies openly advocate the use of natural methods since they are inexpensive and relatively risk-free.

As their studies compile, more herbs and treatments are added to the list of accepted medicines. However, many herbs and treatments have been proven to be bogus medicine. This represents a challenge for both the user and the agencies because they have to ascertain that the treatments they either use or advocate are legitimate.

There exist today many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However, not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.

Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now, the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In that case of minor ailments your expert we actually advise you to take natural therapies instead.

The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet, healthy living, and the regular natural treatment.

It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. Yes, a healthy lifestyle and will do no harm to our well-being. And this is the foundation of natural medicine - may it be massage, herbal medicine, aromatherapy or others.

It is funny but true that science, in its quest for excellence, is studying the knowledge of sages past. This, surprisingly, leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging. So staying tuned to studying these remedies is worthwhile until we can verify that these therapies are truly helpful to our health and our society.

Although today there has been a boom in herbs and especially using Ayurvedic Herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine for treating illnesses is not new you will probably know that the tradition of using holistic methods has been used for centuries.

Many of the herbs and spices that are used in Ayurvedic Medicine are ones that we normally have in our kitchen cabinets. Although these herbs do not originate here they have in fact traveled to us from India. Some of the more popular Ayurvedic Herbs which are used today include Cinnamon, ginger, Gotu Kola, Boswellia, Gymnema and East Indian Globe Thistle all of which can be easily found at your local grocery store or herbal medicine store today.

Although Ginger is a common ingredient in many dishes that we eat it also has many medicinal uses as well. It is great as a digestive aid as well being great at helping treat colic, gas and to ease heartburn. However in India where it is known as Sunthi or Adrak is has been used as a tonic to enhance a person’s vigor as well as an antidepressant.

Gotu Kola is one of the most common herbs found in India and is great for healing wounds and dealing with skin disorders. Plus it is great for dealing with insomnia as well as being an aid to helping lower blood pressure.

Gymnema Sylvestre (Gumar) is a herb which you will probably be hearing a lot more about as it can help to block sugar. Some people think that this may be able to help people to lose weight as it reduces their cravings for sweets and when used by diabetics it has shown that their blood sugar levels are decreased.

Many people use cinnamon in baking but are also used for a hundreds of years in Ayurvedic Herbs as a stimulant. It can also help to relieve the pain caused by toothache as well as being a great astringent and may help people who have rheumatism. The cinnamon essential oil who as great anti fungal and antibacterial properties.

Boswellia (Frankincense) can be used as an anti-inflammatory and is said to be a great expectorant which helps to boost the immune system.

Whilst East India Globe Thistle may not be a herb you have heard a lot about but have been used for centuries as an energizer and it is also said to help reduce blood sugar levels.

As you can see there are many Ayurvedic Herbs which have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries and unfortunately in the society we live in today these herbs are only regarded simply as spices. It is sad that over the centuries we have lost our knowledge with regard to the effects that such herbs can have on our body and how they can be used to treat ailments.

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defined healthcare as the prevention, treatment and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions. If we follow this definition of medical care, then alternative medicine would be seen as the use of other means, either as a complement or in place of conventional orthodox medical care. This nomenclature and definition have relegated natural medicine to a second class status and unfortunately, this has been accepted by almost everybody involved.

Realistically, it might be foolish to attempt to regard natural medicine as superior and of more benefit compared to orthodox medicine; however, it won’t be unreasonable to opine that both means of achieving balanced physical and mental health stand on equal grounds, both with its shortcomings and merits.

Most of the prejudice about natural medicine (or alternative medicine, if you want), is grounded on the premise that the procedures and substances employed are not scientifically proved, as far as modern science is concerned. But the fact remains that, if we look deep enough, there is countless research and evidence to prove the efficacy of most natural cures. Talking about scientific proof, you and I can name a couple of orthodox drugs that were certified safe and good for consumption by all agencies involved and later recognized to be damaging to health, after countless innocent people had lost their lives or suffered debilitating disabilities as a result of these drugs.

Let’s face the fact, even in the most developed countries of the world, today, millions of people are every day becoming disillusioned with orthodox drugs and their approach to health and illness. Modern science is basically concerned with managing a disease after it has occurred, how far has this got us? There are countless numbers of terminal illnesses that have defied modern medicine. Natural medicine is unarguably better in this respect. Natural medicine, for the great part, is concerned with maintaining health and preventing illness instead of managing diseases. Nature is replete with substances, herbs, just name it, that when effectively used, can guarantee that you will hardly fall sick.

Besides herbs and other natural substances, natural medicine can boast several procedures that have been shown to be very effective. Let’s talk acupuncture for example. This simple procedure has been in practice for over two thousand years and has remained as effective as ever. Long before modern medicine, acupuncture practitioners realized that there are several energy pathways in the body and by interrupting or stimulating energy flow across these pathways, the body is stimulated to enhance self healing, improve body function and provide an overall boost to the body system.

Look at massaging or yoga that have even been accepted by most medical practitioners as a complement to orthodox medicine. These procedures have been proved to be effective both in improving mental and physical health as well as emotional health. There are also innumerable nutritional supplements made with natural substances that are known to promote health and prevent several disease conditions. Although modern science would want us to believe that these procedures and substances are not medically or scientifically proved to be safe for consumption, one reasonable question to ask is whether the medically or scientifically proven orthodox drugs have been really safe.

So far, one can conveniently conclude that orthodox and natural medicines are both man’s attempt to ensure better health, making use of the intelligence and materials that nature has provided him; thus, one approach might not be placed above the other, both should be seen as different approaches to the same problem.

A Lithuanian friend of mine asked me about 8 years ago now, “Why is it that you Americans make up names for all sorts of conditions?” I at first defended us stating that we are at the forefront of medical research - therefore, had all the answers and newest medical conditions labeled.

Boy was I wrong.

Boy was he right.

ADHD, in my realm, is a bunk label brought on by pharmaceutical companies and psychologists. More money in the bank. They know parents want their kids best in class and get smiley faces from their teachers.

Now all they hear is, “Jack, I believe your son may be ADHD. You should have him checked out.” Thanks. Good tip. People love to be the ‘doctor’ - knowing all the conditions, terms, diseases - it makes them feel superior for some reason.

Ignore ‘em. Your kid is likely fine.

If not fine, and you do see an issue with inattention, hyperactivity and all the other common ’symptoms’, then let’s address some of them.

What did kids drink mainly, let’s say, 10 years ago?

Milk.

Now?

Soda.

How much sugar is in an average soda? 11 tablespoons. They would add more if they could but it would not be liquid anymore. Seriously. There is a special process whereby soft drink companies can load up drinks without the sugar seperating out.

What does sugar do? I’ll be blunt. What are the signs of ADHD? That’s what sugar does. Make a list and look at it thinking about your kid on sugar. What do they look like at birthday parties?

What else is causing hyperactivity?

Preservatives, additives, food coloring, processed foods, cafeteria lunches [now there is an issue], vending machines in schools [hmmm - may be another major issue].

What does all this have in common?

Where is the wholesome nutritious food????

It is interesting to me, and sad, that what some call alternative treatments for ADHD are actually not treatments at all. They are simply prevention tactics. Natural medicine for ADHD is extremely effective and good doctors are applying natural medicine for ADHD in their clinics.

I bet that if kids did not drink so damn much soda, watch flashing commercials on TV, fast-moving arcade games for hours on end, ran instead of using gas-powered scooters, and ate nutritious normal food - real food - that ADHD label would be gone from our planet.

Why did the label appear? Dinero for one. Pharmaceutical companies are far from dumb. They know that people want a simple solution to everything - a drive through remedy.

That drive through remedy - the lovely methamphetamine - yes, a methamphetamine - Ritalin, which is sold on the streets now for big money.

I urge you not to take this simple easy solution - as it is far from a solution. A gentlemen came to our teaching natural medicine clinic and could not sleep. We asked a thorough history and found he was on 4 different drugs - all treating each other’s symptoms. He was on Ritalin for Adult ADHD and then on a sleeping pill because Ritalin didn’t allow him to sleep.

So, after altering his dietary habits and talking with his medical doctor, he no longer took the drugs. He now is attentive and sleeps well once again. Hmmmm. So that is what they are calling natural medicine and alternative treatments for ADHD. Is that an alternative treatment or is it an actual effective treatment - and - can we go so far as to say cure for ADHD?

I would agree that it is natural medicine - but not an alternative treatment. An alternative treatment for ADHD, in my eyes, is Ritalin.

Dietary intake is huge. Nutrition is huge. Exercise is right up there as well. With these three ‘alternative treatments for ADHD’ that natural medicine ‘prescribes’, parents will have happier children and children will have happier parents.

Parents must not feel the peer pressure in schools. Your kids are labeled so fast nowadays for numerous reasons - one being teacher laziness perhaps? Or administrative practices limiting the children’s activities? How much recess do they get? Is gym cancelled? How much money does the school make selling sodas??

I am a parent as well so I know how difficult it can be. Please don’t fall into the trap of Ritalin. If you found this article, then you are desiring an alternative treatment for ADHD and I applaud you for that. Natural medicine does wonders.

At times, supplementation is needed; especially as dietary and lifestyle changes are being modified. An natural ADHD supplement for kids and adults is Bio-Focus by Biogenesis. Pediatricians and naturopathic physicians all over the country are successfully using this ADHD supplement.

Basically, Bio-Focus by Biogenesis is a medical food powder containing the right nutrients for mental support and inattention. This ADHD supplement comes with a detailed spec-sheet discussing specific dietary interventions and useful lifestyle changes designed to reduce the signs of ADHD. You may view the Bio-Focus medical food powder webpage and download the spec sheet for free. It is an Adobe file.

I thank you for reading this - really. It pains me seeing Ritalin being prescribed so often when alternative treatments for ADHD may be so effective. Natural medicine does wonders - let it work and give it a shot.

And, please, discuss this article with your doctor. Print them out the Bio-Focus by Biogenesis spec sheet. They will be impressed.

Good luck.

In health,

Ben

And I must put this disclaimer here: Benjamin Lynch of HealthE Goods is not prescribing medical information or products. The information presented is only to educate and inform the public in possible alternative treatments for ADHD. One must speak with their physician before making any medical decisions.

(c) 2005 Benjamin Lynch of HealthE Goods

Alternative Medicine practitioners are realizing that healing herbs should be part of their arsenal against disease. The newest touted natural herb is Capsicum, found in cayenne pepper. It has many benefits whether taken internally or externally. When taken internally, capsicum is an antibacterial which will encourage healing and deflect infections while slowing the absorption of fat in the intestines to help fight obesity. Because this natural herbal remedy is a stimulant, it improves circulation. Capsicum will also stabilize blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Herbalists are finding capsicum is useful in fighting a variety of ailments.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the herb cayenne pepper had its start as an herbal remedy. There are no writings on Capsicum in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, or Persia. The best guess that historians are willing to put forward is that cayenne went to India and China some time in the 14th or 15th century. It is believed that Europe started cultivation around the 16th century. Today cayenne is still a popular herb in the food industry. Now because of well designed and implemented clinical studies it is widely accepted as an effective alternative medicine. Pharmacopoeias of leading medical clinics from Austria, Egypt, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland support this finding.

The natural healing herb Capsicum contained in cayenne pepper is loaded with Vitamin A which is necessary for smooth skin and vision. Vitamin A has been found to be the most powerful killer of free radicals, which bombard us on a daily basis. Vitamin C is the other proponent active in capsicum. The healing properties of Vitamin C are clearing blood clots, eliminating plaque from the arteries, healing wounds and fighting colds. By starving them of oxygen, capsicum causes tumor cells to die.

Capsicum can cause a burning sensation but in time you will get used to it. The active ingredients in the herbal remedy, Capsicum, stimulate the brain and salivary glands releasing endorphins into your body. Endorphins are nature’s natural painkiller giving us the feeling of pleasure. Capsicum is also the main ingredient in pain killing rubs for Arthritis and Diabetes nerve damage.

Many herbalists today recommend capsicum for such ailments as cold hands and feet, sluggish metabolisms, obesity and respiratory tract infections. Use it externally for arthritis, sore back muscles, rheumatism or sprains and bruises. One suggestion for cold feet is to wear a thin pair of socks, then get a thicker pair of socks, sprinkle the inside with cayenne pepper and put them on over the thin socks. The pepper will send a warm soothing sensation to the soles of your feet.

An interesting study was done to see if capsicum would irritate or cause ulceration in the intestines. On the contrary it was found that the herb did not harm the tract but sped up the healing of ulcers by secreting more mucosa, the protective lining of the intestines.

A very surprising result of many of the clinical tests is that capsicum raise the metabolic rate and is effective in burning the bodies fat. This has many implications for people with obesity problems. Early indications also show that capsicum slows the absorption of fat in the small intestine. These studies are on going but there are some weight loss products with capsicum that are available in your health food store.

As a tropical analgesic, capsicum, the natural herbal remedy has received wide attention by qualified health professionals. It has shown to relieve the pain of shingles as well as other skin ailments. The FDA has approved it to be used for these problems as well as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies are being done to see if the herb can be effective in treating psoriasis and fibromyalgia.

When using it topically a redness or burning sensation may sometimes occur. This will disappear in two to three weeks time. Once you have received control of the pain capsicum must be used continuously for the relief to be sustained.

If you are diabetic take 3 capsules a day to help bring down your blood sugar levels. Capsicum will affect the breakdown of carbohydrates which will control the fluctuation of sugar levels after eating meals. Of course, this is still being studied in clinics around the world.

So now we have received another healing herb from Mother Nature’s food pharmacy. Capsicum can be counted as a natural herbal remedy in alternative medicines available to help our ailments and relieve our pain.

Disclaimer: Always consult your Doctor or Herbalist before attempting any form of alternative medicine. This article is for informational purposes only.

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Herbal medicine is becoming ever more popular in today’s world as people seek out natural remedies. If you look around the market is flooded with products claiming to be natural and herbal.

It may be puzzling to some as to how or why this sudden want or need for these products started. Maybe its because we are becoming a nation ever more conscious of our health and well being or perhaps it’s a media driven desire to be more like the glamorous celebrities who endorse such items. However herbal remedies and natural treatments themselves are not a new thing, in fact they date back many millions of years.

The earliest accounts of the use of these types of remedies date back to 2800BC from China. Archaeology from early civilisations has shown the use of plants in burials and ceremonies.

Herbal medicines have fallen in and out of favour with man throughout the ages. However they have continued to develop and are once again gaining popularity in today’s world, particularly as there are growing concerns about the safety and side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. In light of this, herbal remedies are offering a safe and natural alternative for many ailments.

Below are some advantages of natural and herbal medicines.

Costs.

Herbal treatments cost much less than their prescription counterparts. They’re also more convenient as they can be purchased over the counter from any health food store without the need for a prescription. Remember though, it is important to check with your doctor before taking any type of medication as natural does not always mean safe and many natural substances can often be dangerous.

Herbal medication is not categorized as drugs, they are considered as food, this is because they are natural and can be marketed as dietary supplements without the need for a prescription. Supplements are not subjected to the same strict scientific inspection as prescription medication. Also prescription drugs, unlike herbal remedies do not have to be tested in order to prove they work and are safe before being marketed.

Herbal medicines may not be pure and it’s possible they may contain pollen or other such contaminates which could induce sickness. Currently standardized manufacturing and testing is much needed in the herbal industry.

Strength and Effectiveness.

People have many and varied reasons for seeking out alternative remedies but often include dissatisfaction with the more traditional healthcare treatments. It is worth remembering though that the benefits and effectiveness of alternative medicine is often individual to the patient concerned.

The strength of the remedy may also vary and has many factors including the variation or strain of the plant or herb used, the growing methods, how it is harvested, the way it has been preserved and the exposure to light, air and moisture during its growth.

People in all cultures have used herbs as natural remedies for centuries. Herbs have passed the test of time and have proved to be safe and effective. Millions of people have recovered from various ailments. Unlike prescription drugs, with herbal medicine, each diagnosis and treatment is tailored to fit the individual. Today, increasing number of people are seeking herbal treatment as an alternative to synthetic drugs that could be hazardous to health in the long run.

It may be weird that modern drugs are being replaced with grandma’s powders and teas, but with the knowledge that most modern drugs are synthetic versions of plant substances, people are opting for the original.

There was a time when herbs have been dismissed and herbal treatments not valued, but things are changing as herbs contain properties that are far superior to synthetic drugs and are more in tune with the human body. They create far fewer and harmless side effects if any, and bestow ’side’ benefits instead of side effects. There are several side effects of prescription drugs, some long lasting and some which cause permanent damage or impairment to the body parts. To cure one part, another part of the body has to be compromised, and this can be totally avoided with herbal medicine.

Let us take the example of ‘ginkgo biloba’, which improves memory and also boosts blood circulation in the legs and arms. ‘Garlic’ is used to enhance the immune system and also lower cholesterol.

Herbal medicine has proven to fulfill roles that synthetic drugs cannot. The whole range of adaptogens found in herbal medicine have no equivalent in modern medicine.

Europe has a stronger history of herb use when compared to the United States. European doctors always retained an interest and skill in prescribing herbal medicine in conjunction with modern drugs.

The difference between treatment with modern medicine and herbal medicine is enormous. When treating, herbal medicine practitioners pay attention to all aspects of the individual’s health, looking at building their health and not just covering up a specific ailment. Another difference is that, herbal medicine doctors look not only at the chemical and molecular components of herbs but also their energetic aspects. Herbal medicine believes that all living things, including plants contain energy. The Chinese call this vital energy force ‘qi’. Where the modern medicine is concerned about treating the illness itself, Chinese medicine looks at this illness as a blockage to the vital life force. It aims at removing that blockage.

This concept is better understood with the example of acupuncture. Acupuncture is based on unblocking flow and the ‘unseen’ energy pathways of the human body. The huge success of acupuncture speaks for itself. The right herb to open the blockage is all it takes to allow the body’s energy to flow, thus healing.

All this certainly may seem strange to the mindset of modern medicine. But herbs have been proven to work for the human body without any serious side effects.

Herbs are the original source for at least 25% of all pharmaceutical drugs. For example, morphine which is used as a pain killer, comes from opium poppy; digitalis, a cardiac stimulant, comes from foxglove; resperine, a sedative and antihypertensive, comes from rauwolfia (Indian snakeroot).

While modern medicine looks for active ingredients in a plant and extract it and discard the rest of the plant, herbal medicine depends on the synergistic action of the complete plant, to take the benefit from the thousands of compounds present in the plant. While prescription drugs have a rapid and targeted action, which is also the reason why side effects are caused; herbs tend to work slowly but gradually, in the process strengthening the body’s defenses over a period of time.

Of course, herbs too have to be taken with caution and used responsibly, and preferably under guidance. For example, ephedra should never be used by people with weak hearts, especially in combination with synthetic ephedrine. In any case, if one herb causes a problem, there are others that can be taken.

Red clover has been used traditionally as gout herbal medicine for centuries due to its ability to remove toxins from the body. However, using red clover isn’t without its side effects. Scientists are now seeing that red clover thins the blood, so it should not be taken without the guidance of a doctor or other health professional. If you are already on anticoagulant medicine, red clover should not be used.

The properties within red clover that make it an effective gout herbal medicine are isoflavones. The isoflavones levels in red clover are 100 times higher than those of soy. This helps to heal inflammatory conditions, including gout, but also arthritis and eczema.

As a herbal medicine, red clover is also known as:

- Meadow clover

- Cow clover

- Purple clover

- Trifolium pratense (Latin name)

- Trefoil

- Wild clover

Red cover belongs to the pea family. It helps with the elimination of uric acid, which is important to the treatment of gout, since symptoms are a result of a buildup of uric acid causing crystal formation on the joints. Therefore, as red clover helps to eliminate levels of uric acid in the blood, the body has a reduced chance of experiencing a build up of uric acid therefore, reducing the likelihood of a gout attack.

Before taking red clover, be sure to speak to your health specialist, as you should before taking any new herb or supplement. As a gout herbal medicine, red clover is available in many different forms. These include:

- Teas

- Tinctures

- Capsules

- Tablets

- Liquid extracts

- Isoflaven standardized extracts

- Topical ointments

When taken as tea, simply use one to two teaspoons of dried red clover flowers in a mug (8 ounces) of hot water; two to three cups should be taken daily. Or, red clover extract can be mixed into a regular cup of tea.

Red clover in capsule form is usually taken in doses of 50mg to 150mg daily. If the capsules are red clover isoflavone extracts, then 28mg to 85mg is the normal daily dose. This means that two to three capsules will likely be required. For individual dosage instruction speak to a doctor.

For a direct topical treatment, red clover ointment or cream can be applied directly to the affected area. However, take care not to apply to any area where there is broken skin.

Red clover tincture should be thirty percent alcohol (1:5), and is taken in hot water as a tea with usually between sixty to one hundred drops (3 to 5 mL), three times every day.

Red clover herbal products are available at many natural and herbal stores. It is quite a common item so should be available in several forms at your local health shop.

Be aware of the possible side effects of gout herbal medicine made with red clover. General side effects can include nausea, headache, and rash. Infertility has also been witnessed in animals that graze on red clover patches. For more information please speak to a health professional.