Perimenopause is the period of time several years before menopause, which happens around age 51 or 52 for most American women. Menopause is defined as going one year without a period. During perimenopause you may experience a number of bodily symptoms that can be treated either by conventional or alternative medicine. Although some holistic remedies are not supported by scientific evidence, many women claim to find relief with them. Consult with your doctor before embarking on an alternative medicine course of perimenopausal therapy.
Excessive cortisol can cause a number of pathological conditions in the body. Considered a "stress hormone," the adrenal hormone cortisol acts to raise blood pressure and blood sugar when we are bombarded by short-te...
IBS occurs more frequently in women than in men and seems to be triggered by reactions to food, stress or medicines. Although the disease is not dangerous, its symptoms can decrease a person's quality of life. Talk with your do...
Many people believe that herbal stimulants are a safer alternative to illegally obtained stimulant medications. According to the Utah Poison Control Center, these herbal stimulants are used to elicit feelings of euphoria, incre...
Vitex, also known as chasteberry, is used for premenstrual syndrome and other problems associated with your menstrual cycle, such as breast pain. You will find vitex in tea, capsule, tincture and extract forms. Vitex has numero...
The medicinal use of the hawthorn plant dates back to the first century, and it has long been used to treat heart, kidney and digestive problems, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports. Hawthorn ...
At maturity, the sassafras tree reaches a height of 75 feet. The roots and the bark of the tree, which were once an important part of herbal medicine, are aromatic and have a slightly sweet taste. Today, the United States bans ...
Zestra is marketed as a topical applicant meant to increase feelings of sexual arousal and desire in women. The product is a patented blend of botanical oils and extracts that is applied to the outside of the female genitalia p...
The main source of squalene is shark liver oil. However, other sources of squalene include amaranth seed, rice bran, wheat germ and olives. Purported medical uses of squalene include use to aid in cholesterol disturbances in sk...
Vitex, also known as chasteberry, is an herb with several clinical applications. According to a review published in the September 2005 journal, "American Family Physician," the scientific literature supports the use of chastebe...
Its familiar yellow flowers open each day when the sun rises and close daily at sunset. The leaves have several medicinal uses, including as a diuretic, for digestive complaints, to keep blood sugar levels low and as a cancer p...
Germanium is a metallic element, chemically similar to tin and silicon. It is found in trace amounts in food; a person's daily dietary intake is estimated to be between 0.4 and 3.5 mg. Germanium has gained popularity as a dieta...
Other names for the plant include morinda, Indian mulberry, hog apple and canary wood. The tree produces a fleshy, yellow-white fruit that has a long history of use in traditional medicine.
Hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC, is one of the most widespread cancers occurring worldwide. Although a broad range of therapeutic alternatives is available, the efficacy of these methods and the prognosis of patients with HCC con...
Vitex, an herb also known as chasteberry, is often used as an alternative medicine for infertility. Vitex is also used to treat menstrual difficulties, improve breast milk supply, decrease breast pain and to lower prolactin lev...
Most people have experienced episodes of overeating. Holidays, birthdays and other special occasions often involve overindulgence in foods and drinks. Alternatively, feelings of stress, boredom, depression and anxiety can somet...
Because D-glucarate may help lower excess estrogen and testosterone levels, it is used by alternative medicine practitioners to help control acne. D-glucarate supplements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administrati...
It has been used for many years in Eastern medicine to combat many different disorders. The National Cancer Institute, or NCI, lists beta glucan as a compound that stimulates the immune system and that may have a role in fight...
Marketed to treat certain illness, colloidal gold is considered alternative medicine and therefore is not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Always consult your physician before attempting to use collo...
Numerous herbs may be helpful for treating your polymyalgia rheumatica. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders, polymyalgia rheumatica is a rheumatic disorder characterized by si...
Soy, which is rich in protein, is a staple of a vegetarian diet due to its purported health benefits. Isoflavones, which are found in soybeans, are a class of phytoestrogens, compounds derived from plants that are similar in st...
However, the milk thistle is known for its medicinal properties. Research shows that it protects the liver from alcohol damage and actually helps liver cells regenerate in these cases. The herb may prove useful in treating cert...
Diet and healing are interdependent. An appropriate diet promotes healing and, conversely, healing that involves critical systems can affect the body's ability to digest, absorb, metabolize and make optimal use of the nutrients...
Some cancer patients who want to avoid the harsh effects of treatment turn to alternative therapies, like Ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy. Alternative medicine is not approved as a replacement for established med...
Some of these polyps may develop into colon cancer over time. Colon cancer treatment largely depends on the stage of the cancer, but surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or targeted drug therapy are often used. Alternative ...
Although cancer treatment largely depends on the type and stage of cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are commonly used. Alternative medicine may help promote a patient's well-being and alleviate symptoms and s...
Two forms of lung cancer exist, known as non-small-cell and small-cell lung cancer. Treatment depends on the stage and type of lung cancer, but chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy are often employed. Alternative medicin...
Even though magnetic healing has been around for thousands of years, there are still mixed reports as to whether the therapy works. The National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine says there is a little evidence t...
Medicinal use of thistle dates back more than 2,000 years. Historically, it has been used to treat liver and gallbladder problems, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some of those uses continue today. Studi...
Tumeric, also known as turmeric, is an herb native to areas of Asia and Africa. Turmeric is related to ginger, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Also known as Indian saffron, the herb ...
Hydroxytryptophan is also known as 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP. It is not found in adequate amounts in food, so to be used as a dietary supplement it is made from the seeds of "Griffonia simplicifolia," which is a plant nativ...
A crystal is a mineral formation that many people believe has special powers. Some people and doctors feel this is only a "placebo effect" in that the patient thinks the crystal will help and thus it does seem to make them feel...
