Alternative medicines

Archive for September, 2008

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. 

Reflexology is a fascinating practice that involves massage-like therapies on the body to induce specific physical responses in the patient.  Reflexologists use pressure and rubbing techniques much like massage therapists do.  But the reflexologist is limited to the hands and feet, where a massage therapist concentrates on the entire body.

Reflexologists go by reflexology charts to pinpoint specific parts of the feet and hands that are linked to specific parts of the body.  Reflexology charts are much like the charts used by acupuncturists.  And this makes sense in part because some reflexologists are trying to change a patient’s Qi, much in the same way acupuncturists do.  Like acupuncture and to some degree, massage therapy, there is little conclusive scientific evidence of the efficacy of reflexology.  But this does not stop people from seeking the treatment for mild and sometimes even severe illnesses.

When you use herbs, you probably don’t think about why you are using them the way you are.  Most herbal medicine practitioners subscribe to one of several different theories about the proper use of herbal medicine.  One of the oldest theories is the Chinese theory that states that herbal medicine is divided into two categories that produce yin-yang balance: pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants.  Another, slightly more recent theory about herbal medicine is derived from Native American uses.  Native Americans used herbs according to their physiological effects and spiritual uses.

A modern theory combines some of these older theories to create the use of herbal combinations to treat illnesses.  According to the Triune formula, there are nine herbal combinations that nourish, supplement, or drain the main organ systems of the human body.  This formula was derived from ideas in Chinese herbal medicine. 

It is believed that the human iris cannot change during the course of a person’s life.  The iris forms when the person is still in the uterus, and though there can be some color changes within the iris during the first year of a person’s life, this is generally the only natural change that occurs.  Some glaucoma patients get iris variations after treatment, but there are no other changes to the iris, despite illness.  This, of course, brings about the question what is the iridologist looking at if a person’s eye never changes? 

Iridologists and proponents of iridology generally feel that the problems a person has, particularly illnesses, can be determines by whatever variations are visible in the iris.  They do not necessarily look for changes in the iris.  However, it can also be argued that if the iridologist is not looking for changes, he is not able to diagnose any illnesses at all.

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