Aromatherapy: Common Essential Oils

Posted on June 30, 2008
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There has been a huge influx of people interested in aromatherapy over the course of the last five years.  The reason for this could be the burgeoning interest in all alternative therapies.  But no matter the reason, major retailers have jumped onto the aromatherapy bandwagon and now provide easy access to a number of common essential oils.

Some of the most popular essential oils seen in stores today are those used for emotional wellbeing.  These oils are often packaged according to their desired effect and not by what they treat.  For example, aromatherapy oils like lavender, which help ease anxiety, are often used in products labeled “relaxation”.  Rose and ylang ylang are often packaged as “romance” products, though their actual use is to treat stress.  Thus it is important for aromatherapy practitioners to be aware of the actual uses of the oils and not just the corporate labels.

Aromatherapy: Stinky and Soothing Smells

Posted on June 14, 2008
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A lot of people like to use different smells in their homes to cover unpleasant odors.  In fact, there is a whole retail industry based on the public’s desire to eliminate nasty smells from their homes.  But plug-in air fresheners, potpourri sprays, and scented candles are not necessarily aromatherapy products.  The scents are not meant to sooth; rather they are meant to disguise.

Aromatherapy is actually the practice of using plant oils and extracts to bring about a sense of wellbeing in people.  Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with other alternative medicine treatments like massage therapy.  There are approximately 90 essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy treatments, and each one has a unique profile and individual purpose.  But some essential oils are used together to create an effect that is different than that of the oils when used individually.

Poking and Prodding: The Practice of Acupuncture

Posted on May 30, 2008
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While acupuncture may seem almost barbaric to Western observers, it is in fact more firmly established and much older than any of the Western style medical treatments available today.  This 5000 year old medical procedure has had a lot more development and study than any of the most trusted medical treatments in existence.

There are six commonly used types of acupuncture needles.  Each of these types varies in size and shape; some have wider shafts, some have differently shaped heads.  The needles are inserted at different angles to the skin surface; the different angles produce different effects in the body.  The practitioner then applies a special technique to the needle: rotation, raising and thrusting, a combination of these two techniques, or vibration.  Like the type of needle, insertion point and angle of insertion, the type of technique used depends on the desired effect.

The History of Acupuncture

Posted on May 14, 2008
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The father of Chinese medicine, Shen Nung, is thought to be the first person to have theorized about circulation in the human body.  These theories were compiled approximately 5000 years ago, and led to the development of acupuncture.

Shen Nung developed the idea of the Qi, an energy force that flows through the human body.  This energy travels through channels called Meridians which run all through the body.  The theory is that when the Qi is not flowing correctly, the human body experiences illness.  This incorrect flow can be caused by blocked Meridians which causes unbalanced Qi.  In order to reestablish the flow of Qi, certain points of the body where the Meridians contact the surface of the skin must be manipulated.  These points are accessed through the insertion of needles into the skin, a practice known as acupuncture.

On Pins and Needles: A Look at Acupuncture

Posted on April 28, 2008
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Acupuncture.  For many needle-phobics, the idea of having a needle inserted into their skin for any length of time seems a torture.  But there is good reason for the popularity and staying power of this alternative medicine practice: it has worked for 5000 years, and continues to improve the wellbeing of those who undergo the treatments.

Acupuncture is the Chinese alternative medical practice of inserting very small needles into the skin in strategic places.  These places are specially chosen for their effect on specific parts of a person’s physiology.  Sometimes acupuncture needles also work with electricity to induce the physiological benefits of the particular points.  Often another alternative therapy called Moxibustion is used with acupuncture; this involves the burning of herbs to elicit physiological benefits.  Acupressure is also based in the same principles as acupuncture and is sometimes used in conjuncture with acupuncture.

Alternative Medicine and Your Diet

Posted on April 14, 2008
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One of the things that practitioners of the alternative medicine industry push is the fact that what you put into your body has an intense effect on your health. Many practitioners will recommend herbs, vitamins and other supplements to assist the average person with occasional complaints, but for people with chronic or serious illnesses a special diet is often recommended.

There are many different diets that are commonly prescribed by alternative medicine practitioners for those patients with regular complaints. Patients with diabetes and acid reflux are often put on diets to help improve their conditions. For more serious illnesses like cancer, more strict diets are enforced. Many people have had incredible luck beating cancer by using a macrobiotic diet. Other people who have complaints of fatigue, weight gain, or just general poor health can often benefit from a detoxifying or cleansing diet. It is important to follow a medical professional’s advice when trying a diet, so be sure to check with your practitioner before starting any restrictive diet.

Herbally Alternative

Posted on March 31, 2008
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What is it about herbs and natural supplements that make so many doctors flinch?  Is it that these supplements are actually not good for us, or is it something else?  While some doctors are beginning to support patient use of herbal remedies such as Echinacea, others are highly opposed to the use of some of the most beneficial herbal supplements on the market.

There is some reason for caution on the part of the medical community: many of these herbal remedies have not been tested thoroughly by the FDA.  However, many people claim that they will continue taking these herbal supplements despite the opinion of the FDA.  So who is right?  Many holistic practitioners feel that anything that seems to work does, in fact, work; therefore, there is no harm in drinking an herbal tea or taking a supplement to support and boost one’s immune system.

Your Personality and Your Disease Resistance

Posted on March 17, 2008
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Researchers have recently been looking into why some people succumb to different chronic illnesses while others retain their good health. There has been a lot of discussion about the possibilities of a type of personality that is, in a very real way, “disease resistant”.

So how is this possible? Researchers have found that the way a person deals with stress greatly affects their ability to deal with illness and, as a result, they can successfully ward off severe chronic illness. It is thought that just by changing the outlook on everyday stressors – such as having a sense of humor about backing the car out of the garage with the door open – can improve a person’s overall wellbeing. This also applies to people who already have chronic illnesses: there is a better survival rate among patients with positive attitudes than in patients with depression.

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