Article by Steve Hill

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Ayurveda is an Indian medical system which has been practiced for more than two thousand years. Although by the intervention of western influence the people on the Indian subcontinent sought allopathy and other medical systems from the west, the importance and uniqueness of Ayurveda cannot be underestimated.

We come to know about our world though our five senses, seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting. Each one of these senses grasps one quality (guna).Each guna or quality has its own matter (dhravya) which, however, cannot exist independently. As our body has five senses, there has to be five basic elements. These five primary aspects of matter are called five boothas (Panchaboothas). They are the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air and ether or atmosphere. These five “boothas” combine in various proportions to form various objects that are found in the universe. Since all these material objects can be seen, heard, smelt, touched and tasted, they are said to be composed of these five primary aspects of materials (boothas). As it was said above, because of the variations of qualities in combinations, we find the different materials. In some objects some qualities may be latent. For example, silver cannot be smelt or tasted. But all the properties ascribed to the “boothas” are present in the silver when it is processed and used. That is why we say that all objects or materials are composed of these panchaboothas.

What are Doshas?

The basic concept of Ayurveda is not disease and treatment. It is the rectification of the improper functions body and circumstances. The word “dosha” has two meanings: the condition which promotes proper functioning under proper conditions of life and the other one the condition which pollutes the tissues when the life conditions are not proper. In proper life style, the working of these “doshas” determines health. When the conditions of life are not conducive the effect of “doshas” also changes. As a result, the imbalance of the system causes disease. In disease, the symptoms indicate the unpleasantness and pain that the body experiences. In health, we do not even feel our own breathing nor are we aware of our body.

Three Doshas (Humors)

Ayurveda is based on the treatment of three “doshas”( three substances or humors). They are: vadha (promotion), pitha (digestion) and kapha (nourishment). They control all the functions of our life.

Vadha:

Vadha represents air. The elements ether and air are predominant in vadha. It effects coordination and control of both metabolism and anabolism. It stands for the regulation of energy and regulates building up processes and transformations in the body.

Vadha is a powerful dosha due to its mobility. Other doshas do not move about actively. They are transported by vadha. Hence it is considered the leader of the three doshas. It is easily prone to denaturing and so the majority of diseases are caused by vadha.

Vadha people are usually lean with cold hands and legs. They hate cold climate. They eat fast and feel sleepier. Constipation becomes one of their problems.

Pitha:

Pitha represents the sun. Fire is predominant in pitha. It effects catabolism and stands for its expenditure of energy. Pitha is the causative factor for the transformation of energy. Pitha is hot and sharp. It has a foul smell which can be understood in exudations and excretions polluted by deranged pitha.It also impart an offensive odor to the body, especially through the sweat.

Pitha is responsible for digestion. It produces thirst, hunger and appetite. It is also responsible for generating the body temperature. It enables visual perception. It provides complexion and shining to the skin.

The pitha people are usually acute brain and medium built up bodies. They are regular in their food habits.

Kapha:

Kapha represents the moon and also water. It stands for the conservation of energy. It is the builder of the body and is anabolic. It is gross and stable and all the structural material of the living body is the product of kapha. It is responsible for growth, repair and nutrition of the body.

Kapha people are usually dull and slow. They have sleepy nature. Obesity and laziness are their problems.

It is very important to note that none of these doshas is diametrically opposite to any other dosha. They are complimentary, contributory and at the same time antagonistic to some extent. It is very important that the relationship among these doshas generates a normal equilibrium for an optimized function.

Interesting and motivational lecture video by nutrition and complimentary health guru Gary Null. He explains how people need to radically change how they think about health, diseases and ageing by altering their dietary habits and becoming more active. His research has shown that healthy nutrition, regular exercise and avoiding stress, can prevent the majority of human diseases and extend lifespan considerably. This is only a short extract.. you can watch the full video here: www.google.co.uk
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The use of complimentary medicine and natural foods to boost our bodies’ defenses and immune systems is increasing in popularity. People are now viewing these types of alternative health sources as not only a preventative measure against common ailments but also as a beneficial treatment when used alongside modern medicine to combat health problems and speed up the recovery process.

Although it is growing in popularity among users there is still much controversy and debate about the benefits of holistic health practices with many advocates of the use of modern medicine alone viewing these natural health sources with suspicion and doubt.

Complimentary medicine practices range from physical treatments such as massage and reflexology to spiritual treatments such as reiki, The practice of herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of complimentary medicine and its uses range from the simplest practice of using herbs as a health food in home cooking, to ointments, herbal teas, creams, powders and pills.

Herbal Medicine is used to treat many common conditions such as, eczema, migraine, asthma, insomnia, digestive disorders, anxiety and mild depression.

Herbs that are frequently used include:

Peppermint – often used to help ease digestive discomforts such as indigestion and heartburn, a common ingredient in many over the counter remedies.

Garlic – Used to reduce flu-like symptoms and reduce cholesterol.

Ginger – Often used as an aid to reducing nausea and morning sickness.

St John’s Worth – Used as a natural anti-depressant, can be prescribed by doctors in some cases, (although the use of this herb is not permitted in all countries)

Although many are adopting herbal medicine practices, until studies have been carried out fully and these natural remedies have been proven effective they should not be used as a replacement to modern medicine practices and treatments.

If you are considering using complimentary treatments it is advisable that you consult your doctor to find out your suitability for any course of treatment. In most cases natural therapy is beneficial and compliments a healthy lifestyle regime there are some instances where certain treatments should not be used.

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Article by Amit Kothiyal

Natural medicine course is one of the major forms of alternative medicine programs that have gained popularity in the recent times. This alternative health care course is broadly studied and used in the curing procedure that includes a comprehensive approach towards treating different sort of illnesses through natural techniques. This natural medicine program actually emphasizes on diagnosis and effective dealing and proper prevention of disease. Natural medicine, also known as naturopathy is one of the few medicine programs that provide opportunity to make a bright holistic health care career. Today, this natural medicinal technique has its own rewards thus pursuing education through natural medicine programs can train the student in various modalities of natural healing. The key areas that are covered in this course are nutrition therapy, homeopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine.The principle of natural medicine is based on the belief that the body has an inborn ability to discover, preserve, and restore health and this is the reason why the study of natural medicine program focuses on healing patients through natural therapy to achieve complete wellness. The natural medicine courses also help in learning the real holistic approach of naturopathy that has the ability to cure ordinary and chronic diseases by focusing on psychological, physiological, social, spiritual and environmental factors. After completing your natural medicine program you will be able to heal the real causes of a disease along with its symptoms. As a student, you will learn and practice healthy ways of healing that will help you to prevent your patients from sickness. Today, naturopathic colleges are offering various regular and correspondence natural medicine courses so that the students may learn about different dimensions of natural medicine that help a person suffering from an illness to be cured not only for his disease, but for the complete self in order to attain optimum level of wellness. Whether you choose an on-campus natural medicine course or a distance learning natural medicine program, you focus should be to learn about the wellness and natural approach towards proper health, which will motivate you to serve the ailing humanity. In order to attain a holistic career as a natural medicine doctor, you must have proper education. Choosing a solid natural medicine program can be the best option as it provides you proper knowledge and more confidence to serve the needy and also the professionals that are well trained in this field are in great demand. So, if you are among all those looking to take on the challenges along with the rewards this field has to offer, enroll and get trained by opting a proper natural medicine course.

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Article by Meredith Walker

Arthritis natural medicine is a collection of alternative forms of medicine that seeks to treat arthritis using natural methods. Arthritis natural medicine has a focus on treating the whole person as well as treating the disease. It also promotes self-care and the ability of the body to heal itself, thus healing the arthritis.

Mainstream medicine does not often accept the use of natural medications and treatments. Some have even claimed that most forms of alternative natural treatments have no claim to be called medicine at all. This is mostly because a majority of the different forms of arthritis natural medicine lacks scientific research and confirmation of its claims of effectiveness, which most practitioners of conventional medicine believe to be important.

Nevertheless, these remedies are trusted by a growing population of those with arthritis. This is partly because of the successful treatments that many have experienced, gaining relief from the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis, and partly because most fields of arthritis natural medicine offer treatments that have few or even no side-effects.

Thankfully, the animosity between conventional medicine and alternative medicine has been disappearing slowly, with a growing number of practitioners of mainstream medicine starting to trust or at least be open minded about natural medicine. This means that even arthritis natural medicine is becoming more widely trusted by the mainstream medical community as well – which also means that more people will learn to trust the treatments offered by it as well.

This growing trust between the two fields of medicine have even allowed natural remedies to be used to supplement and complement conventional treatments and medicines. Conventional doctors have begun to recommend treatments like yoga, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and even herbal medicines to allow patients to take advantage of natural treatments for their arthritis.

As more and more testing and research goes into verifying the claims of alternative methods of treatment, this trust is allowed to further grow as well, and those with arthritis can only benefit from it. While this will take time, at least the future looks far brighter for those with arthritis, and those who may get arthritis in the days ahead. It won’t be long until the day that natural methods of arthritis treatment will no longer be considered an alternative form of medicine, but one that is considered a mainstream medical practice as well.

Knowing that Arthritis Natural Medicine can effectively treat arthritis pain is just the first step towards relief. Find out how natural medicine can best help you deal with arthritis, by checking out ArthritisNaturalRemedies.com.

A natural way to detox your body with lemon juice is to do the Master Cleanse, which uses lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water in the morning can also help cleanse the system. Use lemon as a means of detoxifying the body with instructions from a wellness educator and herbal medicine specialist in this free video on alternative medicine.

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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 a few natural herbs can help relieve stress

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.

The word “alternative medicine” is an extensive practice that illustrates various health and healing methods. The alternative medicine practitioner jobs have been around for hundreds of years, but last few years have brought a career boom in the field of alternative medicine. Around 30% population in the world is using various types of natural or alternative medicine today and the alternative health practitioner jobs are now being known as feasible forms of the cure of the diseases because people maintain the search of alternative medicine or natural health care to live a healthy and happy life.

The use of alternative therapy and medicine is an unusual way to refurbish and preserve your health. The conviction behind alternative practitioner jobs is that there is a secure and more natural way to identify and cure different diseases, and that the complete mental, emotional, spiritual and physical facets of a person’s wellbeing must be addressed. The healthy way of thinking has made the alternative health care much more popular in recent decades and convinced many individuals to opt for various alternative practitioner jobs in herbology, acupressure, nutritional counseling, reflexology, yoga, traditional Chinese medicine and various other fields.

In order to become an Alternative Medicine Practitioner, one must have the enthusiasm and passion to serve the needy and to explore various facets of alternative medicines because being an Alternative Medicine Practitioner isn’t just a job, instead it changes complete lifestyle and focuses on better health and well-being. Taking alternative medicine as a career can be the most rewarding step for any practitioner. Various alternative medicine schools focus on alternative health care and can make you a professional biofeedback therapist, acupuncturist, energy healer, massage therapist, meditation leader, kinesiologist and yoga instructor.

Professional alternative medicine courses prepare a student in a manner so that he becomes capable of providing cure to the patients by balancing modality of the alternative medicine program. These alternate medicine schools educate the practitioners in diverse natural techniques and principles to encourage the sacred health through alternate medicine programs. You may practice a variety of alternative healing methods to promote the insight of the various modalities and culture of health care.

For the awareness of this impressive healing technique globally, a large number of alternative medicine schools offer alternative medicine courses. These courses give proper understanding on diverse fields of alternative medicine and focus on various disciplines to make you a qualified professional. By opting for these alternative medicine courses, students can practice diverse proportions of the alternative medicine that facilitate an individual suffering from bad health and offer absolute emotional, mental and physical strength. Select a well known alternative medicine school to become an alternative medicine practitioner and enjoy better life!

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The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its
origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been
in existence since time immemorial. Being a primeval science, this medicinal
system has been known to man since the early days of his time on Earth. Using
natural ingredients to prevent and cure most illnesses has perhaps been man’s greatest foray into medical science. Traditional medical practitioners aimed at prevention of diseases associated with an increase in resistance of the human body. As an expert rightly pointed out, “The study of the history of alternative medicine is fascinating on a variety of levels, not just concerning other and often better ways of preserving and restoring health.”

Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like
Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. Alternative medicine branches
out from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and
therapies. CAM is often combined with formal, conventional medicine, integrating
both medical practices, in order to give the best results to patients. It can be said that
the earlier methods of medicine were attempted at achieving a balance between bodily
and natural energy. Energies were sought as positive and negative energies, where
positive energies were to bring in happiness and health and negative energies an
incapacitation of resistance to face any ailments. Matters of utmost importance in
deciding therapies or treatments in these earlier medical systems were factors like
one’s lifestyle, one’s habits of eating and one’s occupational pressures.

The earliest use of traditional remedies dates back to 2800 BC in China.
Practised all over the world in more than a hundred disciplines, alternative medicine
has aided medical tourism in an unprecedented manner. Using alternative medicine
and following alternative medical practices not only removes any possible additional
affects of the illness but also increases the resilience of the body. It is generally
claimed that natural remedies are not only less inimical to human physiology
but they also help in retaining body pliancy. Systems of natural, traditional
medicines use a combination of ingredients to restore the bodily constituents. In
fact, natural remedies are considered more as food, given their natural constituents.
Since alternative medicine is based on completely natural methods and there is
no usage of any chemicals, there is no danger of any interference with the organic
system. A holistic approach as opposed to looking at a set of symptoms and a
treatment that delves into the root-cause of an illness are some of the distinct and
highly acknowledged features of alternative medicine. It is also opined that
widespread use of modern medicine has deteriorated the immune system in the
human physiology and has resulted in these modern medicines becoming less
effective. It is also often said that alternative medicine is the only way to cure
some incurable diseases.

The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system which caused ailments, and
strengthened the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle
changes and various preventive measures. The normal practices that were followed in the early stages of the history of alternative medicine include the extractions of the bark of willow trees. Many kitchen ingredients were also used for treating patients. The treatments were considered as the blessings of God, as it brought immense relief to the writhing bodies and prayer was considered as one of the strongest weapons in waging war against ailments.
Source: “A Brief History of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.med-help.net/med-history-of-alternativemedicine.
html

Today, alternative medicine holds out immense potential in attracting medical
tourists. For example, India is likely to become a major hub for medical tourism,
with revenues from the industry estimated to grow from US3 million in 2007
to US.2 billion by 2012, says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) and McKinsey.3 The major competitive advantages that India faces are cost
effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The world has witnessed the development of many traditional as well as modern
systems of medicine in the 20th century. Path-breaking discoveries like penicillin,
technological advancements in modern surgery, major research advancement in stem
cell research and genetic structure, and the development of traditional medical systems
like traditional Chinese system of medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy,
Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and others have all been a part of developments in the
omnipotent territory of global medicine. The major competitive advantages that India
has are cost effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The last few years have seen countries with their own individual expertise attracting
tourists from all over the world and promoting medical tourism like never before.

In India, medical tourism in alternative medicine has its ancestry in South India
and some places in North-Eastern India. Internationally famed for its natural remedies and therapies, Kerala’s schools of medicine have embraced Siddha,
Naturopathy and Ayurveda in treating their patients. These traditional medical
practices are estimated to attract high-end medical tourists from Europe and
Middle Eastern countries. The vital advantages that a country like India faces
with regard to medical tourism are its traditional therapies like yoga and Ayurveda
combined with tourist attractions in states like Kerala and north-eastern states.
Naturopathy, a therapeutic system based on natural remedies, trusts natural
elements like air, water and sunlight, combined with therapeutic massages and
conditioning and toning of the human body. Naturopathy believes that the human
body has the capacity to heal on its own, provided it is in a healthy environment.
With a holistic approach to well-being, Naturopathy believes that the three
physical entities – the physical body, the supernatural soul and the mind – must
be integrated through natural energies. “A recent survey shows that 76% of global
drugs are consumed by USA and European countries. We believe that freedom
from diseases and drugs can only be achieved by living a natural life style.”4
Ayurveda, the most ancient health care system, takes its ingredients from nature.
The use of herbs, materials like gold and mercury and many household ingredients
make this science easily accessible to common man. Ayurveda claims to cure diseases
like diabetes with the aid of nature. The Siddha medical system, which is a part of
Ayurveda, employs herbs, minerals and advanced scientific techniques under ancient
principles of medical science to cure many chronic diseases. It is named as one of
the most complicated and intricate forms of medicine. Siddha considers nature
and man as one essential entity. It claims that physiological characteristics like
human aging can itself be arrested with natural remedies.

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Naturopathy has evolved medical tourism in India in more than one ways.
With its systems of medication using all natural ingredients to restore the holistic
disease-fighting nature of the human body, the medicine has created increased
chances of its own survival through tourists from all parts of the world visiting
India to reap its benefits. As Vitthal Kamat of the Kamat Group of Hotels says,
“With Naturopathy and Ayurveda along with the world renowned tourist attractions
and heritage places, the tourism sector can grow in leaps and bounds.”5 Naturopathy
in “KayaKalp”, a naturopathy centre in Himachal Pradesh, run by the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust in India has served medical tourists in detoxifying, immunizing and rejuvenating through Yoga, Pranayama, Panchkarma, Meditation and Naturopathy. Its therapies are claimed to be drug-less and extremely natural. Naturopathy takes the help of Ayurvedic preparations for healing processes like Panchkarma and improvement of blood circulation.

India’s pioneer in alternative therapy – medical tourism, Kerala, has visitors
from all over the world in the months of June, July and August. These months are
looked upon as the best period for cure of bodily ailments through Ayurveda.
High quality medical facilities provided at low prices are the main tourist attraction
in Kerala. Mr. M Narayanan, head of Poovar Island Resort says that there are
tourists from countries like Australia, Europe and Germany. The packages offered
in these Ayurvedic spas include services like Ayurvedic oil massages, powder
massages, vegetarian diets, detoxification programs and a lifestyle change. In fact
it is little known that Ayurveda includes not just massages, but a whole gamut of
services like herbal and natural diet plans, natural healing therapies, and therefore
a full-fledged medical system.

Ayurveda Gram, a unique Ayurvedic Institution in Bangalore offers Ayurveda
in its wellness form to medical tourists. It offers services like Customized Yoga,
Pranayama, Meditation, and a vegetarian diet to boost metabolism. Its sprawling
campus full of medicinal herbs and natural surrounds helps in the processes of
cure for specific ailments like Arthiritis, Spondilytis, Cholesterol, Sinusitis, Peptic
Ulcer and Obesity. Other therapies by Ayurveda Gram include Stress Management
therapies, Panchkarma and rejuvenation therapies.

AYUSH, the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homeopathy was formed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act,
1970. One of the most recent awareness activities undertaken by AYUSH was a
health fair organized in parts of Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore and New Delhi.
AYUSH ensured that the major Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha manufacturers in
India participated in this health fair.

Another famous Ayurvedic centre in India is the C V N Kalari Centre for
Ayurveda. Kalari is one of the approved Ayurvedic centres recognized by the
Kerala Tourism Department.6 Kalari has its customers from many foreign countries. The centre specializes in Marma Chikitsa (the application of pressure on specific
nerve points) and other special practices of healing. Having both therapeutic and
rejuvenative aspects in them, these specialized healing procedures take extensive help
of Ayurveda to treat the ailing.
Some Ayurvedic resorts have formulated Ayurvedic kitchens that help improve
the effectiveness of oil treatments. Diet regimens, detoxification programs and other
processes that give a glowing skin to the customer are very popular. Some of these
Ayurvedic resorts also arrange for cooking classes to help their customers acquire
and maintain the lifestyle that they are introduced to in these spas and resorts.
Ananda, an Ayurvedic Spa in the Himalayas is one of the most famous destination
resorts in India. It offers specialty Ayurvedic packages like Aroma therapy massages,
reflexology programs for rejuvenation, stress release programs, personalized Yoga
sessions, body composition analysis and weight reduction programs through Yoga
and Ayurveda. Ananda claims that its packages and therapies cure many ailments
like headaches, nausea, climatic disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, asthma, neuralgia
and does general improvement of metabolism.

The 3000 year-old method of traditional medicine in China has gained popularity
as the world’s most popular medicine, being used by more than a quarter of the
world in treating even chronic diseases like cancer, AIDS, allergies and heart diseases.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses medicinal herbs, therapeutic exercises
and acupuncture to cure ailments. TCM diagnoses illnesses based on the five elements
theory and the yin-yang theory. The five elements theory base their evaluation on the
five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water to establish a connection between
human physiology and pathology and the natural environment.7 The movement of
these five elements constantly rules the functioning of the human body and thus
establishes the interdependence of both.

The yin-yang theory calls for comprehending the bright and dark sides of
the universe, in other words, the opposite properties of the universe.8 The relative
nature of yin and yang represents the interrelationship between substance and function. As traditional chinese medical practitioners say “Only with ample
substance can the human body function in a healthy way; and only when the
functional processes are in good condition, can the essential substances be
appropriately refreshed.”

Chinese herbal medicine is more known as Chinese materia medica. This includes
Chinese crude medicine, prepared drugs in pieces, traditional Chinese patented
medicines and simplified Chinese medicinal preparations. Chinese herbology, a major
aspect of TCM addresses the art of combining medicinal herbs.10 It visualizes the
entire human body’s balance of energies and spirit to treat a medical condition.
Herbs are combined into different potions of various characteristics for the sake of
different individuals being treated by TCM practitioners. Herbs like Astragalus,
Ginkgo, Ginger, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng and Garlic are used to treat several
ailments. Around 300 mineral and animal extracts and 400 formulae are used to
cure diseases, in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture, as part of TCM is used to unblock the flow of vital energy through
the human body.11 One of the oldest healing techniques in the world, this traditional
method aims at “restoring health through simulation of specific points on the body.”12
Ailments like nausea, addictions and some kinds of pains are claimed to be treated
with the help of acupuncture.

Taking advantage of its abundant human resources, China is luring medical tourists
into its web of alternative medical therapies. Wellness packages in China come at
low costs and without any side-effects, thanks to proliferated Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Several massages and spas have been set up in recent times that provide
mental health and physical well-being to medical tourists with the help of Chinese
medicinal herbs. Wellness apartments are established for the purpose of serving
senior medical tourists. These wellness apartments facilitate these tourists in
practising their own hobbies and also conducting medical activities like Taiji.

Germany’s alternative medical practices have their origins in Homeopathy, a
medical system that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.
Homeopathy considers symptoms as disturbances of vital forces that have
connection with the human body. Homeopathic advocators believe that this
medical system has the ability to cure acute diseases like flu, cold, pains, depression
and fatigue, constipation, irritability other than chronic diseases. It is claimed to
cure allergies and allergic disorders like Eczema and Asthma. Moreover, this
medical system is child friendly, in the sense, that the medication given by
homeopaths is sweet to the tooth and therefore acceptable. Homeopaths are known
for debonair and their hands free treatment of patients. They concentrate more
on the patient’s state of mind and attitude towards life. The preparation of different
potions in Homeopathy is done mostly with the help of herbs, minerals and
animal extracts. Also, it is often reasoned that since the dosage that homeopaths
prescribe is in such minute constitutions and because they come in dilutions of
substances like water and alcohol there is no chance of any side-effects.
Germany also stands famous for its herbal remedies. Regulated by Commission
E14 on the purity and pharmaceutical activity, these herbal medicines in Germany
have come a long way in preventing and curing many diseases like cancer, AIDS and
other serious ailments. Most physicians in Germany are required to be educated in
Alternative therapies, so that it serves complimentary to modern medical treatments.
As Mark Blumenthal, chairman of the American Botanical Council points out, “Most
of the clinical research that’s conducted on the leading herbal medicines in the United
States comes from Germany.”15

With more than 300 spa towns, Germany has become the premier destination
for health and wellness in Europe.16 One of the most famous resorts in Germany
is the Baltic Spa Resort in Warnemunde. Situated on the shore of the Baltic Sea,
it idealizes the sea as a “homeopathic pharmacy” and claims that “it contains all
important trace elements and has a similar composition to human blood”17 Sea water is said to have revitalizing effects in treating bodily ailments like respiratory
illnesses, sleep disorders and obesity. Other than these, mental disorders like
depression, anxiety and agony are claimed to be cured with the help of the sea.
Sea breeze is said to be specifically effective in treating cardio-vascular as well as
dermatological conditions. Major advantages that Germany faces are in terms of
both cost and quality. As Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health
Foundation points out, “In the US, operations are four to five times more expensive
as they are in Germany”.

Japanese medicine is known as Kanpo or Kampo, a herbal medicine that forms part
of well-researched modern clinical methods and also traditional methods of
medicine. A Japanese variant of the traditional Chinese medicine or the Oriental
medicine, Kanpo adheres to the body’s natural instincts and natural mechanism
of healing. For this purpose, medical treatment involves diagnosis of the tongue,
abdomen and pulse. At each stage of the treatment, different formulae that are
necessary to bring the body back to normalcy, are prepared by the physician.
These herbal medicines are regulated by the Japanese Government. Kanpo
medicine is used to cure many acute and chronic ailments like cardio-vascular,
respiratory, digestive, reproductive and dermatological conditions and immune
system corrections and even disorders like bedwetting, high cholesterol and
hepatitis. Though Kanpo therapies take longer than usual to work, this medical
system uses some very natural diagnosis and treatment methods and concepts
like water, blood and air to identify bodily symptoms. Also, it is claimed that
these herbal medicines produce no side-effects because of their natural
compositions. Japanese therapists of Anma visit countries like India and Singapore
to help in promotion of health tourism. Anma, a traditional Japanese massage, is
said to be a complete form of Shiastu19 that treats the body to release blood flow
in a proper manner to rejuvenate the body.

Apart from attracting tourists for its natural herbal medical treatments, Medical
tourism in Japan has become popular thanks to its volcanic areas that have allowed
the formation of some hot mineral water springs called Onsen. Japanese Onsen serve as places where the ailing can get alternative treatments to modern medical
practices. These have medicinal properties that heal wounds, alleviate pains and
replenish energy levels. Senior tourists and people suffering from many kinds of
aches and pains come flocking to these mineral water springs. The healing
properties of these springs are accentuated by the surrounding volcanic soil that
is composed of many minerals and curative elements.

Alternative medicine is here to stay, claim some traditional medical practitioners.
Given its perceived advantages over the modern medical techniques and the expensive
western medicines, alternative medical therapy is gaining ground in many developing
as well as developed countries. Practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy claim that
surgery may always be the last option in case of treatment of an ailment. Natural
medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicines as
such, since their composition is all natural. Alternative medicine is used in conjunction
with modern medicine to treat many chronic ailments like diabetes and AIDS. This
helps modern medical practitioners to evolve a closer relationship with the patient
and cure him to a greater extent, thus giving him a new perspective to life. It follows
that one should never overlook the disposition of the traditional cures suggested by
our ancestors. These provide a standpoint from where one can comprehend the
profundity of traditional and alternative medicine, and gauge the tremendous potential
of alternative medicine in medical tourism.

References
1. www.hinduonnet.com
2. “Kerala”, www.takekerala.com
3. “Prospects of Medical Tourism in India”, www.mpiweb.org
4. “Medical Tourism push for Penang and Langkawi”, http://thestar.com.my
5. www.wikipedia.com

Different kinds of alternative medicines are available where some of them have been practiced from ancient times while others are relatively new. Alternative medicines make use of natural herbs and other natural ingredients and do not cause any side effect. Some of these alternative medicines are homeopathy, naturopathy, magnetic therapy, neuropathy, acupuncture and holistic treatment.

Alternative medicines are useful in treating various kinds of diseases like headache, flu, indigestion, sore throat, urinary tract infection, migraine, arthritis and many other chronic disorders. They are also aimed at improving the emotional, mental and physical well being, ultimately leading to a great sense of wellness. There are colleges that offer courses for those who wish to take up alternative medicine as their profession. www.magazinell.com is one such website which offers a lot of information on alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine and holistic approach aim not only at removing the disease but also creating and maintaining a state which gives complete well being to add powers of resilience such that the patient assumes a more active and enthusiastic role in the complete health care. In alternative medicine, the lifestyle, eating habits and the occupational pressures of the patient are taken into consideration and accordingly, treatment is given.

Since it makes use of completely natural methods, devoid of any chemicals, the medicines do not interfere with the organic system of the body. The advantage is that the immune system of the body does not deteriorate as is the case when other types of medicines are taken. The root cause of the illness is found and treated. It is not surprising that more and more people are turning towards alternative medicines which give a sure and secure treatment for almost all ailments, without causing any side effects. The added benefit is that the money spent on alternative medicine is fairly lesser than in conventional medicine. The profession on alternative medicine seems to offer a very bright and promising future.

Holistic medicinal treatment by doctors is an ancient healing practice and has been used since thousands of years. Holistic medicine program helps you to be in touch with the spiritual and personal sense of cure. Students pursuing a career in holistic medicine courses are taught about natural healing treatments of medicine.

Main fields in which holistic medicine schools specialize are acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition therapy and homeopathy. The basic belief of these courses lies in the fact that human body has capacity to determine, preserve, and repair health on its own. This is the sole reason as to why holistic medicine colleges center around treating patients with natural therapies to get back to their normal health.

Enhances overall health
Relieves pain and body aches
Improves joints’ flexibility and makes you be active
Treats soft tissue injuries

Though there are a lot of alternative medicine schools, not all of them have same teaching criteria. The best way to get in touch with the right alternative medicine degree program is to search on the Internet. It is important to choose the right holistic medicine degree program.

The school must provide all courses that come under holistic medicine.
It must have facility to provide online degree courses.
It must be affordable enough to pursue education from.
It should provide comprehensive knowledge and skills to serve needy people with natural treatments.
Trainers in the school must be well trained and qualified to guide students towards the best.
The school should not just offer a challenging/unique career, but also provide financial security in terms of salary of natural practitioners.

The present scenario holds the best time to pursue career in holistic health courses as demand for natural health remedies is increasing day by day. With growing health problems among individuals, the demand for natural health courses and health professionals is rising tremendously. People have now realized the real worth of natural healthcare techniques and treatments, thus increasing prospects of job growth in this holistic health field.

In case you are planning to be a holistic practitioner, you are certainly making a good choice. You should select the right online holistic medicine course and school for making a life-long career in the field. Enhance your career prospects by opting for a holistic medicine course to get better more financially and mentally secure future.

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