is it synonymous with alternative medicines?
132362
Biological medicine may be one kind of\nalternative medicine, one that is based\non friendly micro-organisms that promote\nhealth and well-being. Use of minerals,\ncrystals, aromas, etc. are other kinds\nof alternative medicines.\n\nI've found that EM (Effective MicroOrganisms)\nis a good way to remain healthy - whenever\nI feel a cold coming on (which is seldom),\nI drink about 1 tsp. of that and it knocks\nit out right away!\n\nFor more info on EM, check out this link:\nhttp://www.emtech.org/
502773
Medicine as a treatment:\nI believe a medicine to be something that would cure an ailment, a remedy to treat abnormalities of body defects and functions, an agent that will relieve sufferings and pain, a supplement that will lead to a happy and healthful life, and most of all I believe that a medicine should be something that gives no harm to someone who takes it. I believe that  medicine should be made with the main motive of helping the well being of potential takers; business purposes should not be the main concern of its production.☺
144765
They claim homeopathic medicine works by giving you a tiny amount of something that you build up a resistance for, which resembles the thing you are trying to get rid of, and this helps you combat a disease by improving your immune system, rather than antibiotics, which kill the disease directly.  They call things like antibiotics "allopathic".
297391
Under no circumstances should you be taking 'alternative' medicines alongside convenventional medicines. Your doctor MUST know if you are.\nBe very careful about using 'alternative' potions - so much of it is pure quackery (see second link) including that nonsense with magnets (also in the second link)
560116
http://www.botanical.com/ is the site I most often start with. It has alot of folkloric info as well as info on active constituents.\n\nThen I look at http://www.herbmed.org/index.asp and http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html\n\nfor drug interactions and counterindications.
41148
Until the 1900's all medicine was "herbal medicine"....there were no pharmaceutical companies. All medicine was "compounded" by pharmacists or physicians. The ingredients available were from natural sources. When physicians were first licensed....all were Naturopathic Physicians. Later the MD concept came into play and organized themselves into effective political units that were effective in convincing the governments that their medthod of practicing medicine and educational system was ther "only" way. Naturopathic physicians still exist, and are licensed in most states, but the public now believes that the MD is the only valid trained physician.....which is inaccurate......the ND and DO have all of the training of the MD PLUS more skills. Bottom-line? Herbal medicine is the source of 95% of all of our currently existing pharmaceutical drugs. Herbal medicine is powerful and effective. Just because an herb is available over-the-counter, do not think that it is safe or ineffective. Learn what you can and be judicious in the use of any and all herbal medicines. They ARE MEDICINES!
415801
Generic and brand name medicines contain the same main drug. There are, however, often several ingredients, which are not the main drug, that are varied when you go from generic to name brand, or vice versa. These variations can cause general unpleasantness and you should check with a doctor before switching.
501110
It is degree in Aryurvedic medicine.Legaly these degree holders are not allowed to prescribe Allopathy medicines or surgery.
488606
Something not prescribed by health professionals.  Usually shunned by medical personnel.  But they work though, have seen it and done it.  \nHolistic treatments, and Acupuncture are the norm, herbal and natural pills work too.\nIf you live in the southwest, its everywhere and it does work.
422703
I agree that including a section under science called "alternative" lends a legitimacy to the pseudosciences (crystal healing, psychism, pixies, etc.)--by implying that they are, in fact, another science. The fact that such pseudosciences don't follow the Scientific Method doesn't seem to matter to the persons who put this topic here. My guess ... they weren't scientists.
69246
You mean like acupuncture, reflexology, Shiat-su (spelling?), teas and herbs, etc? \nThat should help.
549565
Green Tea dietary supplements are normally all natural products so you don't have to worry about intermixing medications. I do, however, suggest you contact your doctor and ask him/her just to be on the safe side. There are several types of the pill out there and it may have a reaction with one and not the other. Good luck.
51130
i don't know about it being anything used for medicinal purposes, but it can mean to drink alternately to one another, to talk informaly or associate familiarly.
473788
This is a very general question. What you really want to look for is Alternative Medicine/Healing Modalities. There are many ways for the body/mind/spriit to heal when it is given the appropriate tools and encouragement.\n\nWith alternative medicine, you, the patient/client must become educated and take responsiblity for your health.  You become a pro-active partner with your health care practitioner. This is crucial for achieving optimum health and well-being. It is a much different situation than is found in the typical allopathic MD's office.\n\nSome alternative healing modalities are: nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, accupuncture, detoxification of the tissues and organs via vitamin and chelation IV drips, nutrient supplementation; all types of bodywork--therapeutic massage, shiatsu, deep tissue massage, osteopathic manual manipulation, chiropractic; movement therapies--Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique. yoga, t'ai chi, chi kung; spiritual practices--meditation, shamanic practices, the list goes on.\n\nPersonally, I've been involved in many of these modalities for 25 years. I have had the great good fortune to have found some outstanding practitioners that have enabled me to achieve and maintain my health and well-being.\n\nIn the end--we are all responsible for our health and it's a very positive step you're taking in inquiring about natural healing modalities. \n\nThere is a ton of information out there and it can get to be very confusing. Finding a competent and experienced health care professional--holistically-oriented MD, clinical nutritionist, naturopathic physician, osteopathic physician, accupuncturist, etc may be of great value in taking care of yourself and preventing serious degenerative diseases.\n\nAllopathic medicine (the medicine practiced by most doctors) definitely has its place. Allopathic medicine is excellent in emergencies/trauma, surgical procedures and acute/life-threatening illnesses. It basically works (in illnesses) by treating symptoms and not causes and uses surgery (sometimes necessary) and drugs as its tools. It has a dismal record concerning the treatment and prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases.\n\nIt is important to remember to not "throw the baby out with the bath water." Everything has its place, time and purpose. \n\nBelow are some soures that may be of help in your quest.\n\nWishing you Excellent Health
41316
I don't think using an alternative medication is good. There have been some cases in which people have had panic attacks because they are not used to that medication.
294026
Ayurveda is one of India's traditional systems of medicine. The word ayurveda has been coined by the conjunction of two Sanskrit words, "ayur" meaning life and "Veda" meaning knowledge. The word together means knowledge of life. In ayurveda the process of ayur (life) is considered as a combined state of body (sharira), senses (indriya), psyche (mana) and soul (atma). Ayurveda is thus said not only to comprise a natural scientific methodology of medication but also to provide a way of life.
55606
If you mean Real and Treatable in the traditional sense of \n\ntraditional allopathic medicine, with AMA certified diagnostic\n\ncriteria, and approved and study-verified medicines for treatment,\n\nthen no, it's not.\n\n\n\nThe condition is a syndrome, much like the example of "nervous\n\nexhaustion" which you mentioned. This means it's a collection\n\nof symptoms which, when added up, point to the condition being\n\npresent.\n\n\n\nThis syndrome was popularized by the publication of the book,\n\nAdrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome by Dr. James\n\nL. Wilson. Smart Publications, 2001.\n\n\n\nOn Dr. Wilson's website he notes:\n\n\n\n"Despite its prevalence in our modern world, Adrenal Fatigue has\n\n generally been ignored and untreated by the medical community."\n\nhttp://www.adrenalfatigue.org/\n\n\n\nA self-test based on the collection of symptoms which point\n\nto the syndrome is on his site.\n\n\n\nA telling fact is that this pioneering 'expert' on the syndrome\n\nkeeps referring people to buy his book for the full picture:\n\n\n\n"To find out for sure, consult the book Adrenal Fatigue: \n\n The  21st Century Stress Syndrome by Dr. James Wilson."\n\nhttp://www.adrenalfatigue.org/doi.php\n\n\n\nHe does the same with the question "Can people with Adrenal\n\nFatigue ever fully recover?":\n\n\n\n"Yes, with proper treatment most people can fully recover\n\n from Adrenal Fatigue. For detailed information about how\n\n you can support your adrenal glands, protect yourself from\n\n stress and recover from Adrenal Fatigue see Dr. James\n\n Wilson's book Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress\n\n Syndrome and check out Programs for Adrenal Recovery on\n\n this website."\n\nhttp://www.adrenalfatigue.org/canrecover.php\n\n\n\nAnd again, in the Programs for Adrenal Recovery, which are\n\nonly partially available on his website. For example:\n\n\n\n"If you scored between 89-132 (women) or 88-130 (men) on\n\n the Adrenal Fatigue questionnaire (p.61, Dr. Wilson's\n\n book) take the dietary supplements below in addition to\n\n following the exercises and lifestyle recommendations\n\n given in the book."\n\nhttp://www.adrenalfatigue.org/programmoderate.php\n\n\n\nAnd the last clue is in the supplements which he "prescribes"\n\nto treat the syndrome, which are also sold from his website,\n\nand were formulated by him. There's also the fact that they\n\nare not medicines, but herbal and nutritional dietary \n\nsupplements which must include the typical FDA disclaimer:\n\n\n\n"The information provided in this site is not a substitute\n\n for professional medical opinion. It is provided for\n\n informational and educational purposes only.\n\n\n\n Adrenalfatigue.org and any parties or people associated\n\n with it are not making any medical claims on this site.\n\n All references to possible benefits to be derived from\n\n consuming the products discussed on this website are\n\n purely for informational purposes and no medical claims\n\n are made or maintained. These products are sold purely\n\n as dietary supplements."\n\nhttp://www.adrenalfatigue.org/disclaimer.php\n\n\n\n\n\nNevertheless, the syndrome has been widely adopted by a\n\nnumber of practitioners in the field of alternative medicine,\n\nsuch as naturopaths, and is also being promoted by those who\n\nmake their living selling supplements, such as this page from\n\nThe Compunder website:\n\nhttp://www.thecompounder.com/AdrenalProtocolMead.html\n\n\n\n\n\nBut, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that this is a mythical\n\ncondition made up by naturalists who want to sell you products,\n\neven if that seems to be the case in some situations.\n\n\n\nChronic Fatigue Syndrome was another such syndrome that was\n\nwidely recognized by practioners of altenative therapies long\n\nbefore medical doctors began to give it serious consideration,\n\nand alternative