10 Natural and Effective Medical Treatments

A shocking 59 percent of all Americans take some type of prescription medication, and this number has been rapidly increasing throughout the last decade. Additionally, a continuously growing list of people need to undergo a variety of medical procedures each year, many of which involve potentially harmful substances.

With this in mind, it is no wonder that a third of Americans are now turning to some type of alternative medicine in order to reduce their consumption of pharmaceuticals. Fortunately, there are numerous natural options that have been scientifically proven to help with several different medical conditions.

1. Curcumin has Natural Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an infection or emotional distress, but it can be painful and lead to intestinal issues. Additionally, inflammation is linked to heart disease and can damage your joints. Fortunately, curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory. This turmeric component actually works at a molecular level to block the damaging effects of inflammation. In other words, adding curcumin to your diet could be a wise choice if you suffer from chronic inflammation.

2. Walking Can Prevent or Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes

Walking is widely regarded as one of the best and easiest ways to manage or even prevent type 2 diabetes. It is highly recommended for everyone with a blood sugar issue to walk at least 30 minutes per day, and this is also a great way for pre-diabetics to reverse course before they end up relying on insulin shots. As an added bonus, walking is a proven stress reliever and also helps minimize the risk of several other potential heath complications, including heart disease.

3. Honey Treats Wounds

The saying “everything old is new again” is definitely true when it comes to fashion, but medical honey has recently brought this adage to life for those who utilize surgical supplies. In fact, the practice of using honey to treat wounds dates back to at least 2200 BCE, and it has recently experienced a resurgence.

This is due in part to modern issues with antibiotic resistance. Studies into the usage of medical honey have found that 86 percent of infections are completely debrided, and more than 3/4 of test subjects did not end up requiring surgery.

4. Ginger Relieves Nausea

Ginger has long been used to soothe an upset stomach, and medical research has found that it is often effective at relieving the symptoms of nausea that are associated with chemotherapy. A 40 percent nausea reduction can be achieved with only a fourth of a teaspoon of ginger, which makes this a simple natural remedy. In other words, your parents were right when they claimed that ginger ale would settle your stomach!

5. Bananas Offer a Natural Antacid

The burning sensation in your chest that accompanies acid reflux is not only uncomfortable but it can even lead to cancer in some rare instances. In order to alleviate or even prevent the pain of acid reflux, it is best to add bananas to your daily diet. This potassium rich food naturally reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, and it also makes it easier for your body to absorb nutrients and digest food.

6. Meditation Reduces Anxiety and Depression

Extensive medical studies have found that utilizing mindfulness mediation at least twice a day for five minutes per session is a good way to reduce depression, anxiety and pain. The practice of daily mediation also offers emotional regulation benefits, which makes it a good resource for people with Asperger’s syndrome.

Perhaps the best part of utilizing mediation is that anyone can do it, and you do not need any special tools or equipment. However, many people find that it is easier to enter a meditative state if they listen to calming music or burn a specific scent of incense during their mediation session.

7. Water Can Help Alleviate Headaches

Headaches are a major indicator of dehydration, so the next time you feel this type of pressure starting in your head, reach for a glass of water instead of a painkiller. Keep in mind that it is important for people to remain hydrated throughout the day.

In other words, if you frequently experience headaches at a specific time of day, take the time to review your drinking habits. It is highly likely that your headaches are preceded by an extended period of time without water. If you work in an environment that won’t allow you to have water on hand, be sure to take breaks at the water cooler.

8. Reading Has Been Shown to Reduce Cognitive Decline

Keeping your brain active throughout your entire life is one of the best ways to stave off the potentially devastating effects of cognitive decline. There are several things that you can do to ensure that your brain remains engaged, including reading, writing and solving crossword puzzles. Combining these techniques with regular exercise and a healthy diet will give your brain the best possible chance at avoiding dementia or other serious forms of cognitive decline.

9. Frankincense is a Natural Pain Reliever

Arthritis can be very painful, and numerous studies have been conducted in an effort to find a suitable natural pain reliever than can help people who are afflicted with this condition. Some of the most interesting research centers on the usage of frankincense to provide natural pain relief.

The active component in frankincense, boswellic acid, has shown a marked reduction in pain for people with osteoarthritis and knee problems. Mobility improvements were also experienced by test subjects who were given a daily frankincense supplement.

10. Green Tea Helps Prevent Coronary Heart Disease

Green tea has been repeatedly linked to health benefits, including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Researchers believe that drinking three cups of green or black tea per day will naturally lower your triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and your risk of having a heart attack will also drop by 11 percent. Although this is not an extremely high percentage, it is definitely noteworthy for people who have a family history of heart disease.

Along with walking, mediation and natural food options, you can also turn to massage therapy to significantly benefit your health. Now that you know some scientifically proven ways to manage health issues and risks without adding harsh chemicals into your system, you can begin naturally combating problems such as acid reflux and nausea.

Featured photo credit: Krystal Hotels via flic.kr

BY HOLLY CHAVEZ

http://www.lifehack.org/401475/10-natural-and-effective-medical-treatments

Reiki: A Beginner’s Guide

Where to begin with Reiki?

Whether you are interested in finding a practitioner to receive Reiki treatment, or you’re seeking a practitioner to receive training, it’s important to have a general idea what to expect.

First, recognize that Reiki is not a cure-all answer to health and wellness. It is commonly referred to as “laying of hands,” a process by which a practitioner channels the natural life force energy that surrounds us, into a subject (I say subject because it works on all living things, not just humans).

This treatment is offered as a compliment to several methods of healing. It works on both the physical and metaphysical body to remove blockages of energy within the system.

To receive treatment requires the permission of the subject. Even when we do not realize it, if we are uncertain of our surroundings, we create blockages which prevent energy from reaching us. A subject must be willing to accept the energy in order for it to work. Most practitioners also require payment for their service. This is commonly made in the form of money, but special arrangements are sometimes made for a different exchange. I’ve accepted homemade pie as payment for treatment, for example.

The point of this “exchange” is to serve as a balance for the energy transferred.

We tend to think of “energy” as a free-flowing, usually invisible field around us. Yet the purpose of Reiki is to provide balance to that field. This requires an exchange be made as “payment” for receipt of this energy. It is no different than receiving a gift for one’s birthday, and sending a card to say “thank you” in acknowledgement of the gift. How you and your practitioner define “payment” is at your discretion.

Training in Reiki is a different path. It is becoming easier to search online and find classes offered by Reiki Masters where one may become certified in Reiki. Again, these classes are often compensated for with payment in the form of money. However, the payment for the class is up to an agreement between the Master and the student.

Usually there is more than one student in a class. This is very beneficial because each practitioner experiences this journey in his or her own way. It is important for each student to witness the experience of others to gain understanding of this journey. In turn, they will be able to relate to their subjects as they are treated, and experience different results.

My training took a whole year. We met once a month, for several hours at a time.

This, just as any other practice, is not something learned over night. It requires study, patience and ultimately a willingness to use what’s been learned for the betterment of those around you.

If you are considering taking a class to become a practitioner, I encourage you to speak with the teacher for some time before choosing to commit to the process.

If you are interested in finding a practitioner there are many ways to go about it. The International Association of Reiki Professionals  offers a search tool by which one may locate a registered Reiki Practitioner nearby. The Reiki Council offers a similar service on its website.

In each case, at the time of this writing, the Practitioners that result in those search engines are registered with the respective organizations. It is helpful to use members associated with groups such as these because they require practitioners to adhere to organized guidelines. It serves to protect both the subject/student and the practitioner. Be sure to ask your practitioner if they have adequate insurance and certification.

Regardless of your reason for interest in Reiki, I encourage you to continue your research. It is a beneficial practice for everyone involved!

http://www.finerminds.com/spirituality/reiki-beginners-guide

Press These Points on Your Palm to Relieve Any Pain

Alternative medicine can often be light-years ahead from the western medicine, when it comes to relieving pain. But, a combination of western and alternative medicine is probably the best way to treat all kinds of health conditions; it is worth looking at the benefits of an alternative form of pain resolution, such as reflexology. The main principles of reflexology have led to the idea of finding the pressure points within the palm of your hand that are connected to the part of the body causing you pain.

If you press the thumb point into the corresponding part of the hand for 5 seconds, releasing for 3 seconds, pressing again and repeating this cycle for several minutes, several times a day you will get results you want.

This methodology as well as others is demonstrated in the video bellow. In this video, Dr. Oz’s guest is a Reflexologist who explains that both the hands and feet can be seen as a microcosm of our entire body.

5 members from the audience come to the stage to explain what part of their body is causing them pain. For each disorder, the reflexologist explains which part of the palm is connected to the body part involved. She then shows how using one hand, different forms of pressing or massaging of a different part of the palm of the other hand will, over time, relieve the pain they are experiencing.

The audience members in this video suffered from:

• Constipation and bloating
• Insomnia and exhaustion
• Sinus congestion
• Upper back pain
• Low libido.
• 
  

Her explanations were fascinating and easy to follow. She showed them how to work on their own palms to lower their pain or problem. She said what kind of sensations they would feel while they apply pressure and massage; that would signal that they were working in the correct area.

After watching this video I think will try some of the methods demonstrated for things that I need relief from. What you think about reflexology after watching the video? Have you ever tried it or you will you give it a try?

http://www.naturalhealingmagazine.com/press-these-points-on-your-palm-to-relieve-any-pain/