Slippery elm bark is a common herb found in throat lozenges and in cough drops, but you can use it for a variety of other purposes as well. This herb is capable of providing relief for coughs, sore throats and upset stomachs. If you want to buy it in bulk rather than in a cough drop or a lozenge, then the best route for you to take is to boil it and simmer the slippery elm bark in a powdered form in a cup of water. Between one and three teaspoons of the herb is best for 8 ounces of water and you can have as many as three cups of the herbal tea per day.

The herb slippery elm bark comes from elm trees and these trees are primarily native to the Appalachian mountains which are in the eastern United States. The elm leaves have been dried and used to create tea and skin washes. Natives haven eaten the inner bark of the tree because it offers high carbohydrate levels and can be digested easily. The inner bark can be used for many other purposes as well. You can use slippery elm bark to relieve a number of gastrointestinal conditions as well as respiratory irritations, sore throats and ulcers. There are also external use benefits for slippery elm bark including the treatment of skin conditions, hemorrhoids and vaginitis. Some people recommend the use of slippery elm bark as a cough medicine or for use to soften and smooth out the skin.

You can take a 500 mg capsule of slippery elm bark three times daily to benefit from its numerous health advantages. You may also combine one part slippery elm bark to ten parts of water in liquid form or one part of slippery elm bark powder to eight parts of water in order to take advantage of the health benefits offered by this herbal supplement.

Chinese medicine has long been a practice of ancient medicine that has been practiced more many centuries. Although it has widely been practiced throughout China, it does not carry a uniform standard to it. While many of the ideas of Chinese medicine can be similar to each other, it can widely vary from person to person and family to family. While there might be a lot of variations on Chinese medicine there is one element that is very similar and that is the idea of the body when it comes to Chinese medicine.

When it comes to Chinese medicine it is believed that they look at the body as a small universe that is to itself. Within this universe the body is made up of energy called the qi. It is believed that the whole body has a complex system of smaller universes that make up the body and keep it running healthy and at full power. These five systems derive from the five elements such as earth, air, wind, fire and water.

It is believed that when one of these systems has an internal or external factor that causes it to not operate smoothly that the body falls apart and can cause illness, mental illness or disease. Only be restoring these systems can the body safely operate at its full potential.

It is believed that under this structure the Chinese are able to treat not just one small element of the body but it treats the body as a whole and can allow the mind, body and soul to be treated as one element something that many believe modern medicine does not look at all.

The body is a very important fundamental element of the Chinese medicine system. It is what they go back to in order to figure out what is wrong with a person and what must be restored for a person to be whole again and healthy.

When a health system such as the ancient Chinese medicine is looked at one of the most intriguing factors is that of whole doctors and practitioners worked as a whole in order to diagnosis elements. Today’s health care system requires a lot of tests, x-rays and various other diagnostic tools, that it is hard to imagine a system that is less complex but at the same time offered the same amount of treatment.

Chinese medicine uses a system of diagnostics largely based off of the observation method. These observations can come in a wide form of types of observations. A practitioner can sit down and observe human behavior, physical symptoms and various other visual aspects of the disease. They can also observe auditory, sensory and physical types of elements. These involve running a few elementary tests and seeing how the patient reacts. Another huge element of the diagnostic process involves questioning. This can range from asking about types of symptoms, when they started, how a person feels, etc. The last area of observation that comes under Chinese medicine is that of touch. Touch is very important when diagnosing illnesses and conditions and learning the right areas to prob and look at takes a lot of skill and knowledge as many conditions can have over 5 areas to touch to see if something is wrong.

Those that practice Chinese medicine practice the art of observing and diagnosing illness for a number of years. It does not come naturally to a person and could take over two  decades to learn. Because of this it takes extreme skill and patience to learn to practice in Chinese medicine. It does not happen over night and it takes a number of years to develop the knowledge and ability to be able to diagnosis a number of illnesses and conditions that can be treated by Chinese medicine.

Licorice is an herb that is used for relieving and treating sore throats, ulcers and other health ailments. If you want to treat ulcers, the best course of action is to add half of a teaspoon of licorice powder for each cup of tea, boiling the licorice herb and the water together for ten minutes. Allow the concoction to cool completely prior to drinking it, and drink one to two glasses of licorice tea per day but no more.

Historically, licorice has been used for treating coughs and a number of skin conditions as well as constipation, inflammation, bronchitis and arthritis. The licorice herb can be prescribed by a health care professional for the treatment of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and adrenocortical insufficiency as well.

Almost 8 percent of the licorice plant is made up of a glycoside known as Glycyrrhizin. This chemical compound is said to have numerous beneficial impacts and effects on the body. There are two enzymes that glycyrrhizin prevents from breaking down PGE or prostaglandin E. If you have a low level of PGE, you may experience a number of health problems including stomach inflammation, ulcers and colic. The glycyrrhizin prevents the two enzymes from lowering these PGE levels. Increased levels of PGE can aid in producing stomach mucous, lowering high acidic levels in the stomach that can lead to a variety of different stomach irritations and problems.

Traditional Chinese medicine has used the licorice herb for a variety of different issues from diabetes to tuberculosis. The flavonoids and the glycyrrhizin in the licorice herb can restrain the production of cortisol and produce anti-inflammatory effects. Research has shown that licorice has numerous health benefits, and so it is beneficial as part of a regular herbal medicine supplement or when treating specific problems including stomach issues, digestive issues, arthritis, tuberculosis, diabetes and more.

If you were ill and decided to go to a Chinese medicine practitioner to get some help with the health care what could you expect in terms of treatment?

Under the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice the way to diagnosis an illness is through observation. This involves looking at the visual, sensory, questioning and observation area of a patient. If you were to go to a Chinese medicine practice here are some of the items that you may expect to come upon in order for them to figure out what was wrong with you.

Heart. The way the heart beats can really help in figuring out a diagnosis. In Chinese medicine a practitioner will look at the heart pulse or palpitations in six different areas to see if there is any difference in the areas.

Observing Body Parts. By looking at various areas such as the hair, body, tongue, throat, skin, fingers and veins a person can figure out if there is something going on with the body and where. A practitioner will look at all of these areas and see if they can observe something along the way.

Tenderness/Pulse. The chest, abs and heart area are all areas that can become swollen or tender when there are various health concerns by a person. Looking at these areas will help them figure out if something is wrong and help figure out what it is.

Questioning. There will be tons of questions regarding past health problems, what is currently going on with them, what feels odd and various other aspects of the body.  This will give them a better understanding of what is going on and your past health issues.

Odors. What a person can smell will help with a diagnosis. Also occasional illnesses will cause you to omit odors that are not always natural.

Fasting is not just something mentioned in the Bible. Many view this abstinence from food, drink or both as not only a spiritual means of meditation, but also as an effective alternative medicine – a means of cleansing the body and starting anew with healthier eating practices.

What someone who is fasting abstains from can vary. While one individual might fast from all food, another individual may just fast from meat for a determined amount of time. Someone who fasts may also exclude certain types of drinks with the exception of water, or may substitute all food with a protein drink. Additionally, the time frame of a fast differs with each individual.

Fasting is sometimes a requirement for certain medical tests performed in modern medicine, but this is actually different from the more spiritually centered approach. In modern medicine, fasting refers to someone who has not eaten overnight (usually a period of 8-12 hours) or the state of the body after a meal is completely absorbed and digested.

Fasting for an extended period of time triggers the body’s “famine response.” The body depends on glucose as the primary source of fuel or energy. After a period of 4-8 hours without food in the body producing glucose, the body starts to glycogen stored in the liver for fuel. After approximately 12 hours of relying upon the glycogen in the liver, the body will start extracting glycogen from muscles. In order to preserve the muscles, the body will turn to fat as a fuel source after a few more days.

While most people end a fast long before complications begins to occur, fasting for too long will cause the body to break down proteins as it moves from the famine response to starvation. Fast-induced starvation can lead to medical problems such as electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrhythmia and renal failure.

Despite this risk, medical research shows that there are benefits to a controlled fasting approach focusing more on calorie restriction, including decreased risk for cancer, heart problems, diabetes and immune deficiencies. However, experts recommend consulting a doctor before using fasting as diet regimen.

Massage therapy dates back nearly 3,000 years, used in Chinese medical practices. It is also documented as used among ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians and Hippocrates recommended the use of massage for circulatory problems in many of his papers.

While you won’t often find a doctor that will prescribe a massage, it is still an effective way to manage joint and muscle pain. The practice of massage therapy includes three main techniques.

Massage
Massage itself consists of a variety of techniques applying soft-tissue manipulation (through pressure and friction). The overall goal of massage is to reduce stress and revitalize the body with more energy by promoting circulation throughout the body.

Bodywork
Bodywork consists of a variety of touch therapies that result in changes to the body’s structure with the goal of comfort and pain relief in mind. There are a few bodywork techniques, including repatterning, manipulating or simply moving the body’s soft tissue.

Somatic
The term somatic means “of the body.” This massage therapy technique is the combination of body and mind to overcome pain or ailments, utilizing perspective and attitude as much as body manipulation. The term may also be used to identify a full body massage therapy approach.

According to the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals website, there are more than 250 massage therapy techniques and variations available. The variety of ways to apply massage may include vibration, kneading, stroking, tapping, friction, rocking and pressure to various locations of the body.

Massage therapists often create a relaxing atmosphere by dimming lights, lighting aromatic candles, making the temperature of the room as comfortable as possible and playing soothing music. They also typically use massage oils, lotions or powders to reduce the amount of friction on the body during a massage therapy session.

Someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing can cause problems or worsen your physical pain or ailments. Before seeing a massage therapist, verify that she has some form of training so that you can be certain her techniques will be of great benefit to you.

Created in the 1940s by Randolph Stone polarity therapy is an alternative medicine practice that is based in the belief that the humans produce a field of energy that flows from the universe into the body through chakras (force centers of the body).

Polarity therapists seek to restore the balance of energy in the body through touch, verbal interaction, a healthy diet and exercise. As therapists restore the original state of this invisible energy field, then the body is said to go back to its original state of complete health and wellness. People have pain and get sick because their energy field are either out of balance or being blocked in some way.

Those who practice polarity therapy believe that everyone expresses electromagnetic patterns through mental, emotional and physical experiences. These energy fields are expressed in three ways:

• Currents that are long and run north and south through the body,
• Currents that run east and west through the body, and
• Currents that start at the belly button and spiral outward through the body.

While science shows that the world is full of energy fields and currents, there is nothing to scientifically back-up the belief that the human body has an energy field that can be manipulated and adjusted. Evidence from studies is anecdotal at best in most cases, and nothing has been conclusive.

Still, polarity therapists hold that the body has a natural means of maintaining its own health and keeping the body’s energy field free of blockages or fixation will allow the body to function at optimal capacity.

If you’re interested in the alternative medicine of polarity therapy, then make sure that the polarity practitioner you see is at least registered with the American Polarity Therapy Association so that you know they are fully versed in the belief system and practices.

Herbalism is the use of plants and herbs to cure ailments, wounds and illnesses and a tradition that spans centuries. More than likely, several members of your genealogy used a variety of herbal remedies.

In a study called “The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery”,  published in the March 2001 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, it was determined that at least 122 compounds found in modern medications were derived from plant sources. Approximately 80 percent of them were being used in the same manner in which your great grandmother used them decades ago.

Some traditional alternative herbal medicines include:

Aloe Vera – The most popular use of aloe vera is in association with skin burns and moisturizing the skin. It is also used for gastrointestinal issues, aiding in circulation and assisting in better function of the kidney, liver and gall bladder.

Black Walnut – The outer hull of a black walnut contain a substance that helps eliminate parasites from the body. It has also been used in treating skin problems such as poison oak and ringworm.

Cayenne Pepper – Cayenne pepper is beneficial to both the circulatory and digestive systems.

Ginger Root -  Ginger is a well-known remedy for upset stomach and nausea. Even doctors recommend that pregnant women take a ginger supplement to help prevent morning sickness.

Hops -  One of the main ingredients in most beers, hops, is effective in relieving pain and insomnia.

Kelp – Also known as seaweed, kelp contains approximately 30 minerals that are beneficial to the body’s glands, balancing out metabolism.

Licorice -  Licorice root has many benefits to the body. It’s a great expectorant for mucus. It stimulates adrenaline and helps relieve the physical symptoms associated with stress. It also has properties that are beneficial to the body’s respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.

Passionflower -  Passionflower is often used in association with the nervous system. It helps alleviate anxiety, pain, insomnia, asthma and even symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Some might say that the earth provides us with everything we need, we just have to know where to look.

Have you ever seen those movies where someone is lying very still on a table with a thousand long needles protruding from his body? That is a depiction of the Chinese form of therapeutic treatment called acupuncture.

The belief with the practice of acupuncture is that inserting sterile thin needles into certain pressure points in the body in order to relieve pain. These pressure points are said to exist on the 12 main meridians of the body and two of the eight extra meridians. They are expressed as channels where the blood flows in critical locations that effect how the body responses to stimulus.

The 12 main acupuncture channels are the bladder, gall bladder, heart, kidney, large intestine, liver, lung, pericardium, spleen, stomach and the San Jiao. The San Jiao is an intangible part of the body, roughly translated as the triple burner and loosely used in reference to one’s metabolism in traditional Chinese medicine.

The eight extra meridians include the divergents, luo vessels, sinew channels, ren mai and du mai. Ren mai and du mai are the only of these eight extra meridians that are subject to needle manipulation, while the rest can be reached through the original 12 meridians.

The idea is that the blood, also known as the qi, became stagnant within the body, when it normally flows continually and creates a continuous circuit between the meridians. Stagnant qi causes pain. There are both internal and external pathways associated with the qi. The external pathways are those in which the needles are used.

Acupuncturists typically only treat the area related to the patient’s specific pain problem through interrogation and observation. Traditional Chinese medicine implements four diagnostic methods:

Inspection – analysis of the face and tongue
Auscultation and Olfaction – listening to sounds and observing odors produced by the body
Inquiring – looking for chills/fever, perspiration, appetite, thirst/taste and defecation/urination
Palpation – analysis of the heart rhythms and pulse

While the idea of having needles stuck into your body to relieve pain can be intimidating, there are very few injuries reported by those treated by a trained acupuncturist.

Nearly every candle company advertises candles that provide aromatherapy for the user, claiming to produce smells that calm anxiety and relax the body. This is where an alternative medical treatment has gone mainstream, being utilized as a marketing tool.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from plants, in combination with other compounds that provide a notable scent. Smelling items with particular aromatic properties is supposed to benefit an individual’s health and alter moods to a more beneficial state.

There are three main ways that aromatherapy is applied. The first, and most common, is through aerial release, such as with burning candles or incents or in the use of aerosol sprays. Some aromatherapy products are inhaled directly by the patient as a means of providing relief from respiratory infections, congestion or as an expectorant for mucus. Direct inhalation is also thought to provide psychological benefits. The final means of application is topical, usually though massage oils, bath oils, compresses or skin care regimens.

There are several types of materials used in aromatherapy, which include:

Essential Oils – fragrant oils obtained through steam distillation or expression of the plant
Absolutes- fragrant oils from delicate plants like flowers through the use of solvent or supercritical fluid extraction
Phytoncides – plant compounds added to aromatherapies that kill microbes
Hydrosols – the remains of a plant after a extraction process that still have culinary or medical uses, such as rose petals
Volatized Raw Herbs – plants with a higher oil content that are dried and used in direct inhalation methods

The belief is that certain aromas have an effect on the brain and that some have pharmacological benefits as well. The purpose of aromatherapy is to find a balance between the two. While some studies show a positive effect in the use of aromatherapy, it is typically is conjunction with other medical treatments, such as an aromatic massage in addition to physical therapy as treatment for an injury.

First introduced in 1796 by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy is the idea that something that causes symptoms in a healthy individual will, in a diluted state, cure those same symptoms in someone who is sick.

These highly diluted substances, often given in tablet form, are used with the purpose of triggering the body’s natural tendency to heal and fight an illness or condition. The Society of Homeopaths provides an example of using coffea, a remedy made from coffee, as a treatment for insomnia.

Homepathic remedies are non-toxic because they are derived from nature. Therefore, they are often deemed safe to use, even for pregnant women and in conjunction with other medication prescribed by a doctor. Essentially, it is utilizing things found in nature to attempt to create a safe treatment for illness.

Homeopaths believe they are treating the individual rather than just the condition the individual has, as they take into consideration not only the symptoms, but the patient’s physical and psychological state as well.

The most common conditions patients see a homeopath for include those that reoccur frequently (such as colds, migraines and tonsillitis), skin conditions, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue and those conditions associated with stress (such as insomnia and anxiety).

There has been some criticism of the homeopathic field because it is believe some practitioners put patients at risk by advising against modern medical treatments such as vaccines and antibiotics.

Hahnemann believed that full doses of these natural substances would exacerbate the symptoms an individual had, which could result in toxic reactions. Thus, he believed that dilution was the best option. To make a homeopathic remedy, the treating substance is diluted with alcohol or distilled water and struck hard ten times against an elastic body to shake it (a process called succession). Hahnemann’s belief was that this shaking process activated the energy of the diluted substance.

There is no sound medical research that reports whether homeopathy is effective in treating conditions. Most modern scientist believe that diluting a substance so substantial removes any of the pharmacological properties it had, resulting in placebo effects.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, often referred to as TCM, is very different from Western medical practices that most are familiar with. Dating back nearly 3000 years in history, TCM’s basis for healing treatments of the human body are based on Daoism and the religion’s holistic understanding of the universe. Illnesses are treated based upon the differentiation of syndromes.

TCM is based upon the Chinese concept that there are five elements which make up the whole of the universe  wood, fire, earth, metal and water. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the theory of the five elements is used to determine the relationship between the human body’s pathology and physiology and the environment in which it is exposed to in order to treat illnesses.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine everything revolves around the belief that Qi (pronounced Chi) connects tissues and organs. Qi is a network of blood vessels and channels throughout the body and, when something is wrong, it is because the blood in the Qi has become stagnant within one of these channels, disrupting the connection between organs and tissues and causing an individual to be sick.

When practitioners in TCM evaluate a patient, they look at possible causes and nature for the disease, as well as the mechanism and location. Another very important consideration is the correlation between the body’s resistance and pathology.

Therefore, treatment for an illness is not solely based on symptoms, which means that two individuals with the same symptoms and possibly even the same disease, may receive completely different treatments because so many other factors are considered.

The most common Traditional Chinese Medicines include acupuncture, qigong exercises and herbal treatments. Acupuncturists use sterile and disposable needles in specific areas of the body to stimulate the proper flow of the Qi and reactivate the body’s immune system. Herbal remedies aim to get the body’s organs to function correctly by stimulating them internally. Qigong exercises are specific movements of the body that work to get the Qi flowing correctly again.

Naturopathy is based firmly in the belief that the body’s natural ability to heal and maintain a healthy condition can be enhanced with the use of nothing more than natural remedies. It is an all encompassing term for a variety of natural healing treatments, including acupuncture and homeopathy.

The term naturopathy became popular in the late 19th century when “the father of naturopathy,  Benedict Lust, became a well-known advocate. The holistic health movement of the 1970s made the naturopathy popular in the United States and Canada.

The healing power of nature is the underlying element of all forms of naturopathy. Many licensed primary care physicians within the United States are also licensed as naturopathy physicians, combining treatment recommendations for illnesses of both pharmaceutical and natural elements.

Unlike most alternative medical approaches, there are accredited schools that offer degrees in the field. A doctor trained in naturopathy within the United States or Canada will have the designation Naturopathic Doctor (ND) or Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) following his or her name. The four year education program must include the study of basic medical sciences, natural remedies, pharmacology and even minor surgery.

Methods used in naturopathy are minimally invasive, which means treatments like radiation, drugs created by man (synthetic) or major surgery are avoided as much as possible. In fact, most naturopathic treatments emphasize stress reduction, a healthy diet/lifestyle and exercise as the core of any healing regimen.

There are six core values that make up the practice of naturopathy, which include:

1. Provide the most effective treatment with the least risk; do not harm.
2. Recognize, promote and respect the body’s natural power to heal.
3. Don’t treat just the symptoms, but find the cause of the illness and remove it.
4. Educate on and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
5. Treat the person as a whole, considering all health factors and bodily influences.
6. In addition to physical factors during the treatment process, consider a person’s environment.

With the continued increase in health care costs, many patients are first turning to less expensive alternatives, which has resulted in an increased interest in naturopathy.

Chiropractic physicians aid patients with problems related to the musculoskeletal system or nervous system by manipulating or adjusting the body through movement. This form of medical treatment is most often used in association with disorders like headaches, back and neck pain and joint pain.

The purpose of spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustment is to restore mobility of the section of your body that is in pain or stiff by applying a controlled force to immobile joints. This immobility is caused by a tissue injury, often due to overstraining, repeated stress on an area of the body or because of an accident of some type such as a fall or automobile crash.

While chiropractic medicine is seen by most as a modern and acceptable form of treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, there is some debate as to whether the treatment is actually medically beneficial to the patient in the long run. Many doctors believe that an individual treated by a chiropractor may actually suffer worse bodily injury down the line because of the chiropractic techniques used.

For example, if you were to get in an automobile accident and the fault of someone else, an attorney would advise you not to go to a chiropractor for assistance with back pain resulting from the accident. The other party’s insurance company may actually refuse to pay for any medical treatment you need from the accident if you see a chiropractor because it is believed that the injury could have been made worse by such manipulation, and the insurance company will not be held liable.

This is especially true if the chiropractor is not adequately trained in the field, so it’s important to check into a chiropractor’s credentials prior to treatment. In order to obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree in the U.S., and individual must complete 90 credit hours of prerequisites, obtain a chiropractic degree from an accredited college and obtain a license to practice chiropractic medicine by passing four to five exams through the National Board of Chiropractic Medicine, as well as continuing education courses through their career.

Ear candling is definitely one of those alternative medical practices that is surrounded by controversy. Just the name brings a number of questions to mind, namely, “What in the world…?

Also known as ear coning and thermal-auricular therapy, ear candling is believed to improve someone’s health by drawing toxins out of the body. The patient lies on one side of their body and the practitioner lights a hollow candle and place the unlit end inside the ear canal, with a protective layer (such as an aluminum pan) keeping melted wax from dripping on the patient.

Throughout the process the wick is cut back regularly to reduce the size of the flame. As the candle burns, it is said to create negative pressure, dragging toxins and earwax out of the body through the ear canal. In fact, one might open up the hollow candle to find a variety of material within the candle body. The candle is blown out approximately two to four inches from the patient’s body, with the whole session lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

Ear candling is often offered at spas as a part of a massage package and overall body rejuvenating process. Many claim the procedure to be very effective, especially in relieve fluid build-up (often caused by a cold or allergies) within the ear. Some even claim to have relief from tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

The procedure is highly controversial, with doctors and researchers believing it to be ineffective and somewhat dangerous, with reported cases of candle wax getting back into the ear causing pain and damage. Additionally, studies have shown that the residue inside the candle following the procedure is nothing more than remnants from the candle burning, and not anything that came from inside the ear canal.

In 2008, the health editor for MSNBC, Linda Dahlstrom, underwent an ear candling procedure. She claimed that the atmosphere was relaxing. While no harm was done, Dahlstrom noted no changes in her health and, after talking to experts about its effectiveness, stated that she wouldn’t recommend the procedure.

As per Chinese thinking, every person has five elements in their birth chart. The relative weight of each element will determine the personality, and since all elements are present, a person will always have a mixed personality. The five elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each element has its good and bad sides.

Metal is the element that signifies righteousness and intellectual sharpness. Metal persons are detail-oriented perfectionists, and pursue their goals with single-minded devotion. Since Metal types are prone to respiratory illnesses and eczema, they are advised to take up aerobic exercises. Water types are known as deep thinkers, and are generally considered to be far ahead of their time. Such persons tend to be philosophical, and enjoy solitude and tranquility. They are likely to develop problems of the kidney and bladder if they do not have an adequate liquid intake or socializing opportunities.

Wood persons have Type A personalities, and are high on vitality, energy, and ambition. They are extremely driven and focused, and quite likely to assume positions of leadership or athletic supremacy. Wood personalities are therefore prone to stress and tension related ailments, and would do well to learn meditation.

Fire persons are the life of any group they’re in, and are fun, sociable people who love to read and travel. They are extremely gifted communicators. Fire types can maintain their health by taking time to nurture themselves, and limiting the intake of spices. Earth persons are compassionate nurturers, who are also natural peacemakers owing to their empathy. They are likely to suffer from weight gain, food allergies, and fatigue, and must learn to maintain the right balance in their food habits and emotions.

Knowing your personality type is the first step to making traditional Chinese medicine work effectively for you.

During an acupuncture session, the patient will lie flat on the table while the practitioner will insert needles into the body at various points. These points are gateways for the body’s energy flow. Acupuncture points redirect the energy to areas that are deficient. The needles inserted will be at an angle of 15 degree to 90 degrees. These needles can be manipulated by hand and they will be twisted depending on what the practitioner considers as right. Other motions that can be used include vibration, heating, cooling, and gentle electrification.

What can acupuncture help to treat? Acupuncture can strengthen the body’s immune system. This makes the body strong and also resistant to various illnesses such as infections, flu, and cold and so on. It can be used to treat psychological disorders such as phobias, eating disorders, anxiety, addictions and so on. Studies show that depression can be cured through acupuncture.

After surgery, acupuncture is highly effective in increasing vitality and body energy. Those with hypertension will find acupuncture to help them to control the problem and also give better energy levels. Today, everyone is interested in looking slim, but losing weight is not an easy task. Acupuncture is highly effective in bringing down weight by suppressing the appetite.

Those who have to take drugs for fighting off pain will find acupuncture to help reduce the need to take them frequently. It improves body circulation and in doing so energizes the body and strengthens it to fight off diseases. It has been noted that where various health medicines have failed to give adequate treatment, this form of Chinese medicine has proven to be quite effective.

Chinese Alternative Medicine seeks to treat illnesses through a combination of various techniques that cure diseases by unblocking the energy flow in the body. One of the most well-known Chinese treatment methods is acupuncture.

According to the acupuncture theory, the body’s vital energy is Qi and it circulates throughout various body parts through energy channels called meridians. This flow of energy is similar to the way the body’s circulatory system works. If there is any interruption on the flow of Chi, the body succumbs to illness.

This form of medical treatment began around 2500 BC and is highly effective in treating various diseases that cannot be cured by western medicine. There are many acupuncture styles and techniques and these include Japanese style acupuncture, Korean Hand Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, and Classical Chinese Acupuncture. The most commonly practiced form in the United States is the Classical Chinese Acupuncture.

The process of healing is done at three levels – mind, body and spirit. In curing the problem, it seeks to not just completely remove the symptoms of the problem but also the cause. Traditional acupuncture can treat chronic problems such as arthritis, migraines, and also other problems such as PMS, depression, chronic fatigue, headaches, migraines, chronic back pain, withdrawal symptoms of drugs and alcohol, infertility and so on.

During an acupuncture session, needles are inserted in various points of the body for the purpose of releasing blocked energy. However, it is not just the inserting of needles that is the critical factor here. In addition to the use of needles, a wide array of herbs is used with the needles or on their own. Pressure points are massages to help relieve muscle tension and bring abut relaxation. Lifestyle changes are also prescribed to reinforce treatment effects.

Acupuncture is a very effective alternate medicine or health medicine. In order to gain the best benefits from acupuncture treatment, it is necessary to have it done by an expert. Depending on individual health and the illness, it can take just a couple of sessions or maybe many sessions to ensure that the problem does not continue.

Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM comes with a history of over 3000 years. It tries to diagnose the human ailments with a Taoistic understanding of the universe and the nature of alternative Health Medicine. Its unique method of diagnosis and treatment is very different from Western medicine. Its foundation of treatment is based on diagnosing and differentiating syndromes. The body of literature encompasses a vast array of folk medical practices based on mysticism.

It believes that the body’s vital energy,chi, circulates through networks called meridians. The energy running through these pathways reaches each and every organ in the body and determines healthy functioning of each organ. When chi is interrupted or is not in balance, the body falls sick. It treats the zangfu organs, which is believed to be the core of the human body. and the Chi, which is believed to be the carrier of information and any imbalance is manifested through the jingluo system.

Traditional Chinese medicine treats and diagnoses an ill or diseased human body on the basis of the yin-yang theory as weel as the idea of the five elements. These theories are based on the belief that there is a connection between the laws of nature and the physiological and physiological changes in human body. It studies the phenomena of nature’s laws and its effect and relationship with the human body.

Chinese medicine is also referred to as Oriental Medicine, and involves ancient practices like acupuncture, Qigong exercises and use of various herbs to heal and restore balance in the human body. Though these therapies appear to be very different form each other, they all share the common belief and assumptions of the nature of human body and its relationship with the universe.

Acupuncture treats the body by stimulating certain external body parts while qigong exercises regulate and maintain smooth flow of Chi or energy through the channels or meridians in the body. The herbal medicines, on the other hand, keep the internal organs of the human body in a good functioning order. Many scientists describe the different methods of treatments in Chinese Medicine as Information Therapy.

Alternative medicine

Cupping evolved as a means of promoting healing by restoring the balance of the four ‘humors’ in the body, namely yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm. It was initially used to drain sores and infected wounds, and later used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, poisonous bites, and body aches.

The method used is to place cups of glass or bamboo with reduced air pressure inside on the skin to create suction. The sucking effect is said to release toxins, clear blockages, rejuvenate blood vessels, and clear the skin. The cup creates an area of blood stasis, or stagnation, leaving the rest of the body free for energy to flow through.

The cups made of glass or bamboo come in different sizes, and are sometimes used with acupuncture needles. A pocket of low pressure is created by thrusting a burning cotton ball inside the cup and pulling it out quickly. The cotton is typically soaked in 90% alcohol, so that it quickly generates enough heat to create a mini-vacuum. These days, small suction pumps are used on the cups to eliminate the risk of overheating and burning.

A bruise-like reddish patch is the most visible after-effect of cupping. A darker patch is said to be indicative of high toxin levels in the blood. A ring-like mark is also common and should disappear soon after the treatment. Lubricating the skin is said to be a good way to allow movement of the cup and reduce the possibility of a burn.

Like any form of treatment, cupping should be done with certain precautions. Burns are an ever-present risk in the traditional method of cupping. Patients are also advised to take a brisk 30 minute walk after treatment to reduce the possibility of blood clots. Cupping should not be done during fever, convulsions, cramps, or pregnancy.