Since almost 2600 B.C., medicine has been a treasured tool amongst many societies and eras. Egyptians are argued to be the first documented users of medicine. However, medicine was later refined and perfected by the Greek philosopher Hippocrates, who even earned his name “the Greek father of medicine” (1). We have come a long way since his first prescription of aspirin. Medicine and the health field has evolved almost like no other field and we have benefited greatly from this. With the help of health and science, our lifespans have doubled since its origins. With this granted addition to life, people have devoted their time to their health and finding new methods that will contribute to medicine’s long line of evolution. From this devotion, alternative medicine was discovered and has since been praised by individuals looking for newer, sometimes more ‘natural’ ways of caring for their health. But what is alternative medicine? Simply put, it is “treatments that are used instead of standard treatments” (2). Alternative medicine can include a lot of different approaches such as the use of special diets, herbs and scents, massages, meditation, etc.
I wanted to take the time to go over some of these significant alternative medicines and the benefits of each. I hope this will encourage you to reach beyond the typical method and try something new that could end up being perfect for you and your body.
The first few methods I believe that will be more well received are the use of aromatherapy, diet and herbs. Aromatherapy uses essential oils for its healing. Different scents have been reported to contribute to different moods, side effects, and so forth. I believe this type of therapy is a lot more common amongst us college students. It has become very popular to use humidifiers and certain scents for studying. It is generally said this type of therapy can help lift your mood, soothe pain, and promote better sleeping (3). If you are interested in this method, research what oils would help with your specific problems. For example, peppermint allegedly can increase focus and decrease fatigue, so if you’re a student, this oil scent could be perfect for you. Some scents that help with sleep include lavender, sandalwood, and rose (3). If you are like me and suffer from insomnia, dropping these scents into your humidifier a few minutes before sleep could help ease your symptoms and help you get a better night’s rest.
Moreover, the use of diet and herbs has been a popular alternative medicine method for years now. Not only can this method include the changing of food products, but it can include the incorporation of dietary supplements. Over time, we have gone from basic diets with meat, grains, fruits, and veggies, “to a diet that often consists of foods rich in fats, oils, and complex carbohydrates” (4). Deficiencies and nutritional excess have become problems within our society today. When left untreated, this excess or deficiency can lead to chronic diseases and health problems that become harder to fight later on (4). The use of diet and herbs can help you find a balance in your eating and in your life, and help combat this type of issue. Dietary supplements, herbal medicine, and diets are all things you can re-evaluate and change. It is important to figure out what is best for your body; what it needs versus what is does not need.
Furthermore, another alternative medicine method revolves around the mind. As of today, health professionals cannot deny the strong connection between our minds and our bodies. Arguably if you have an unhealthy mind, it can reflect physically in your body. Professionals argue that people with a healthy mind and good emotions usually heal faster and more efficiently than those who don’t. To improve your state of mind, you can look into methods like meditation, biofeedback, and hypnosis (3). Meditation is more common than these other two methods. However, adventuring into these other methods could possibly work even better for you.
Some other alternative medicines I found while researching include acupuncture, homeopathy, reflexology, Reiki, and yoga. Overall, alternative medicine would be great for those who are looking for new ways to heal their body and minds. It is especially a great option for people who wish to use more natural, organic ways of healing. Of course with its many different methods, alternative medicine can become trial and error. Some things may or may not work for you. However, once you do find what works, you may find yourself never going back to the same old medicine you once used to run to.
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4379645/
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https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/alternative-medicine
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https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/complementary-and-alternative-therapies/list-of-complementary-alternative-therapies/#BowenTechnique
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https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/types-of-complementary-and-alternative-medicineTypely