Archive for the ‘Alternative medicines’ Category

Collagen tablets

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Everyone has heard of collagen injections to plump up lips and make them look fuller. But did you know that collagen is an integral part of our bodies and is a key component at stopping wrinkles and the anti aging process?

You can now buy collagen support tablets from health food stockists which can give a boost to your own protein building capabilities. And hence help with the body’s maintenance of your skin, ligaments, nails, hair and bones.

Collagen tablets come in an easy to take form and if you are concerned about the aging process why not give them a go?

Always consult your GP before taking any complimentary medicines.

Alternative stomach ache relief

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

If you are prone to stomach ache and excess gas, it can be quite embarrassing if you work in a quiet office. The gurgling sounds your stomach may produce, not to mention other bodily noises that may slip out when you are not expecting them, can affect your confidence and cause much hilarity for your work colleagues.

If you are looking for an alternative treatment to relieve excess stomach gas, then why not give charcoal tablets a try. Charcoal tablets attract the excess gas to the surface of the charcoal and the tablet is digested. This can reduce gas and hence reduce bloating and flatulence.

If you use alternative medicines, remember to consult your GP to let him know what you are taking.

Acai berry tablets

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

If you are feeling a little run down why not try the new ‘superfood’ available from all health food shops – Acai berry tablets.

Acai berries are a good source of antioxidents and anthocyanins and also contain minerals, vitamins, phytosterols and fatty acids. Acai actually has one of the highest nutricianal values of any type of fruit.

The Acai berry has been used by native South Americans for centuries but has only recently gained popularity in the developed world. And some websites claim that along with the health benefits that Acai berries possess, they are also a great way to lose weight as they can accelerate the metabolic processes of the body.

As always, you should consult your GP before taking any new medication or health supplements.

What do all the side-effects stated on my medicine mean?

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

More often than not, the medicine that your doctor will prescribe you will contain a data sheet that contains a list of possible side effects that may occur if you use the product. Whilst some of these may be quite mild, others may make you not want to use the product.

You must however remember that for a drug to get its licence it need to be thoroughly tested on a number of willing patients. And it is the side effects that these patients report that may end up on the data sheet of the drug. It can sometimes be the case that a person on the trial may report heart palpitations when using the drug that have nothing to do with the drug but are perhaps related to the night out the clinical trialist had the previous evening.

If you are still unsure ask your GP.

Alternative medicine can work for a huge number of people in the UK but as in the case of standard prescription medicines you should always ask your GP before you take any medication.

Ear candling – does it work?

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Having problematic ear wax can be extremely uncomfortable, not to mention annoying for you and others. Excessive ear wax is common in younger children where the wax is often soft, and also in older people where the wax is often harder and more difficult to remove.

There are many different methods to remove ear wax but you should never try to manually remove the wax yourself. Putting items such as cotton wool buds inside the ear will impact the wax further down the ear canal and can damage the ear drum. You can buy several over the counter remedies that claim to disperse ear wax but often do little more then just soften the wax – in the same way that putting a few drops of olive oil in the ear would do.

The best way to get rid of ear wax for good is to visit your doctor who will either use ear irrigation to remove the wax or will refer you to an audiology specialist who will use an ultrasonic device to dislodge the wax and remove it from the ear. Both these methods are uncomfortable but they offer the best results.

If you are looking for an alternative treatment you could try ear candling. This method uses a hollow candle that is inserted into the ear and then lit. The negative pressure created is supposed to draw the wax out of the ear. You should always consult a trained alternative health practitioner before opting from ear candling.

Avoid the risks associated with conventional medicines

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

People’s attitudes towards drugs and medicines are changing. As recent posts report misuse of drugs and accidental overdose of prescribed man made medicines, more and more people are seeking alternative sources of medicines which have less likelihood of putting you at risk if something goes wrong.

Herbal remedies have been created from plant extracts. It’s during the photosynthesis process that plants will produce the substances that are useful within medicines when the plants are picked. It’s the plants natural defences that we are wanting to reap, as it is these properties that benefit us.
Herbal alternatives now include various minerals, fungi plants and can be also found in certain animal parts and the products of bees. There are also compounds in spices and herbs that we use in daily cooking which provide positive medicinal benefits to our bodies.
So rather than continue to consume pre-formed tablets for the next cold or illness you get, think about other natural products that could still provide the same end result as conventional man made medicines, but without the risk of creating other health issues if dosed wrong.

Deep tissue massage

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Massages have always been used as a relaxant, to de-stress the body and relieve tight muscles from aches and pains. A relatively new method of massage that is becoming popular as an alternative to prescription medicines is deep tissue massage.

Deep tissue massage provides relief from chronic muscle issues and problems relating to connective tissue. As these massages are penetrating deeper to the core of muscles, the movements associated with a deep massage are usually slower and more pressured than an ordinary massage. This is to re-align the deep muscles which are causing the problem.

The patient can experience some pain while undergoing a deep tissue massage, as not only are the fingers used, but the masseuse will use their elbows, palms and knuckles to manipulate pressure on the muscle, hard enough to have an effect.

It’s not suitable for pregnant women or those recovering from surgery. Nor should it be done if the patient has any bruising or unhealed wounds close to the area that requires treatment. Prior to booking your deep tissue massage, always seek professional medical advice from either a doctor qualified masseuse.

Fancy a cuppa

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Green tea has been considered very beneficial to a person’s health for some time now. The primary bonus is that green tea is high in antioxidants which can help as a preventive measure to illness leading to cancer and heart disease. Because of its natural ingredients, and the fact its leaves are not fermented prior to brewing, the tea is also low in caffeine.

Recent research has found that there are further health benefits from drinking green tea on a regular basis, such as:

Prevention of strokes occurring. Up to three cups a day could reduce your risk by 21%.

Improved health of gums and teeth. By sipping a green tea drink per day research showed reductions in patients of periodontal disease, or as it is more commonly known – gum disease.

Reduction of stress. The presence of amino acid L-theanine within green tea lends itself to bring on relaxation and relieve stress.

Chakras stones lift the weight of illness

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

The eastern religions have long supported and promoted the use of alternative medicines. One method as used by the Indian Hindu school of thought is healing stones on your body’s chakras points. This has only become apparent to the western civilisation in recent years, but is being introduced in the UK as the country expands its cultural awareness and diversity.

Chakras are points along the body, with the main seven chakras positioned along nerve points up and down the spinal column. There are smaller chains of chakras along the arms and legs, but it is thought that those along the length of the spine are the most affected by the placement of healing stones.

The recommended healing stones are specific to certain chakras points and to specific ailments. The colour of the stones is also linked the differing limbs with chakras points. The size also affects the strength of the stone.

There are qualified practitioners who will diagnose what is the best fit remedy using healing stones, or alternatively, you can become self taught in this area and purchase stones of varying qualities via the web.

The point of acupuncture

Friday, November 13th, 2009

A popular alternative that more and more people are choosing is acupuncture. This process involves the patient lying down and having very thin needles inserted in to specific areas of the body, that are left in for around 30 minutes.

The instruments used are called filiform needles, which penetrate the skin along the bodies meridians for pain relieve and improve, well being and Qi (pronounced ch’i).

Originating from China, acupuncture has been used for centuries as a remedy for a variety of illnesses and complaints. It first came under scrutiny from western civilisation scientific research in the 20th century, and to this day, there are still sceptics in the medical field who doubt the healing benefits of acupuncture.

Should you wish to try acupuncture for any aliment you have, first research within your local area any qualified alternative health centres where acupuncture is undertaken. As well as addressing health problems, acupuncture has been used for addressing addictions like smoking. They will ensure that all needles are sterilised, and discuss with you first the health problems you have, to make sure they pin point (no pun intended) the correct meridian zones, relevant to the health issue.