Holistic Medicine Vs Conventional Medicine

By Teisha Mahabir

The definition of holistic or alternative or complimentary medicine concurs with the description given by the World Health Organization. The WHO ascertains that health is a state of complete well-being at the physical, mental, and social level. In a holistic method of treatment, the approach to two patients suffering from the same disease can be different - it advocates personalized and targeted remedies. Conventional Western medicine or Allopathy defines health as the absence of diseases. It advocates a more standard approach to the treatment of health disorders.

How the two forms of treatment work

Conventional approach: The conventional system of medicine uses allopathic medicines for the treatment of diseases. The patient is evaluated on the basis of his medical history. This is clubbed with a physical examination of the patient and the results of various tests which are performed at the laboratory.

Conventional treatment comprises of drugs which suppress the body's natural immune responses. People who resort to this method seek treatment only when the illness strikes. Hence there is very little scope for any kind of preventive treatment. Conventional medicine considers biochemical imbalances, pathogens, bacteria and viruses to be the main cause of any kind of illness. The procedure for treating serious and life threatening diseases are highly therapeutic.

Common methods of treatment followed by practitioners of conventional medicine include drugs, surgery and radiation. Diet, physiotherapy and exercise, and stress management are part of the conventional method of treatment.

Alternative approach: In the holistic or alternative method of treatment, health is seen as a balance of the body's emotional, mental and spiritual states. Practitioners of the holistic system of treatment see the three aspects as interrelated. A disruption or disharmony in any of these states is believed to cause illness.

The holistic form of medicine considers the human body as being equipped to resist diseases and heal any injury it suffers. Patients are empowered to heal themselves by addressing the underlying causes of their disease. The treatment includes a wide range of therapies which help the body reinforce its own defense mechanism. After treatment, patients are advised to incorporate changes in their lifestyles for complete well being.

The holistic form of treatment is more cost effective in comparison to its orthodox counterpart. This form has produced effective results for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, cardiac ailments, asthma and a many other disorders. Holistic or alternative medicine lays stress on preventing the disease, rather than focus on the symptoms. The methods implemented assist self-healing, allowing your body to return to its earlier healthy self. Treatments using the holistic form of medicine yield slow, yet sustained results. They do not cause dangerous side effects either.

Growing popularity of alternative medicine

Different forms of alternative medicine and remedies, including yoga and meditation are becoming quite popular. This is the result of a growing dissatisfaction in the outcomes and side effects of expensive conventional treatment. But those who stand by the conventional form of treatment have raised doubts about the authenticity of holistic medical practitioners. A few doubts have also been raised with regard to any possible side effects of natural products, when they are not administered in the right proportions.

Teisha Mahabir specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak.

Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about health-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out at brendarusnak.com.

Article Source: Holistic Medicine Vs Conventional Medicine

Herbs are Natural Health Supplements

The Comeback of Herbs Through Herbal Supplements
By Rose Windale

Herbal supplements are rising in popularity as many people are beginning to acknowledge them. It is fascinating indeed that people are going back to their roots and to the basics. Pharmaceuticals may have become mainstream, but there are those who opted for another path. Such is through the use of herbal supplements, which by all means contain herbs. But one may ask what herbs really are. An herb can be any plant which has health and medicinal properties. Other than these, herbs are also acknowledged for their scent and taste. When a supplement contains any or a mixture of such herbs, then it is termed as an herbal supplement.

Herbal supplements deliver benefits to the body in different ways. Among them is for treatment of certain illnesses such as cold, coughs, flu and fever. Other of these supplements can boost the immune system so as to ward off illnesses. And then again, there are herbal supplements which can aid in weight loss or weight gain. Supplements of this sort come in different forms. They can either be in pill or powder, in tea form or in tinctures and syrups. One has several options for taking herbal supplements. What about side effects? There was a point when the public was shocked upon hearing of individuals who died after taking herbal supplements.

It caused quite a stir, and people became wary of taking them. Upon further investigation though, it has been determined that such people took counterfeit products. Such products were apparently mixed with synthetic and harmful elements. The public indeed has to be wary. The supplement industry is among those which is most in demand and lucrative. Manufacturers are well aware of this, and they may not have the buyers' best interests at heart. Herb products in their real sense and when of good quality are effective. One has only to make sure then that they are obtaining them from credible sources.

To make the most of and get the best out of herbal products, they have to be authentic. Herbal supplements when of good quality are less likely to have side effects. And even if they do, they are often not harmful. After all, the contain mostly herbs and natural ingredients. In fact, there are those which are 100% all natural. By such products, it means they are those derived from plants, much like vegetables. And vegetables by all means contribute so much to optimum health. Herbs are in some ways similar to vegetables. They have organic enzymes and components which contain natures healing properties.

With herbal supplements though, herbs are taken in the form of a product. And they can be as effective as well. For proven herbal and natural supplements, visit the Healthzine.org store. In the Healthzine.org store, a wide range of products are available to address various health concerns. Ranging from general health issues, to men and women's health and weight loss, Healthzine products have the right solution. These products are safe, natural and effective and they are suited to go with a healthy lifestyle. For optimum efficacy and safety, such products are best taken with a doctor's advice. One can then be on their way to enjoying total wellness and quality living.

The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share her knowledge and tips through her website http://www.healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and happy life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Windale http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Comeback-of-Herbs-Through-Herbal-Supplements&id=1938926

Want more articles on health? Check out my other health blogs at http://nodiet4me.blogspot.com and http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com.

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