Prescription drugs belong to the western medical system. They have saved countless lives and improved the lives of countless others. But they do have their drawbacks. Most prescription drugs have side effects, some of which are severe. However, there are other medical systems that have alternatives to drugs and have been using them for hundreds if not thousands of years. Before substituting any alternative method for a drug, always check with a qualified doctor.
Herbs
Before the age of prescription drugs, herbs were the primary source of treatment for disease. Even today, many drugs are made from herbs. One of the first societies to refine the art of herbal formulation was China. In traditional Chinese medicine, herbal formulations are still used today. In a study published by the journal Hepatology in February 2010, researchers concluded that herbal formulations may be as good or better than interferon or lamivudine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. They also said that the herbal formulations had fewer side effects than the drugs. Patients should consult with a doctor before adding herbs to conventional treatment.
Diet
The concept of a medicinal diet has a long history in China. In traditional Chinese medicine, foods have certain medicinal properties. By eating certain foods for certain conditions, one can reverse the disease. Dr. Dang Yi, M.D. notes that a specially prepared meal is often a treatment for a minor illness. The key to a proper medicinal diet is an accurate traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. Special herbs are often combined with the medicinal diet to enhance recovery. If a person has an illness, she should always consult with a doctor before starting a self-treatment program.
Acupuncture
The reason for taking a drug is usually to relieve a symptom caused by a disease. By using acupuncture, a Doctor of Oriental medicine can not only relieve the symptom, he can treat the actual cause of the problem. The power of acupuncture is highly under-rated. For example, the news agency Reuters reported in April of 2010 that Iraqi doctors used acupuncture in place of drugs during a drug shortage caused by years of conflict. Acupuncture was used to replace the drug oxytocin given to women just after delivery. The acupuncture prevented excessive bleeding. A patient should ask his doctor if acupuncture is an appropriate treatment for his condition.
Homeopathics
Homeopathics have been around for over a hundred years and have had good and bad reputations. According to Suzanne White Junod, homeopathy is based on two principles: the principle of similars and the principle of infinitesimals. As a treatment, a substance is prescribed that causes similar symptoms as the patient’s disease. The dose of the substance is infinitesimally small. This treatment causes the body to react with a healing effect. There are literally thousands of homeopathic remedies for nearly every disease we know of. As with any alternative treatment, patients should consult with their doctors before trying a new treatment.
References
- HIV and Hepatitis: Traditional Chinese Medicine May Perform Better than Interferon or Lamivudine for Chronic Hepatitis B
- Shen Nong: Why is nutrition and eating certain foods an important part of the Chinese lifestyle?
- Reuters: Iraqi doctors use acupuncture during drug shortage
- Food and Drug Law Institute: An Alternative Perspective: Homeopathic Drugs, Royal Copeland, and Federal Drug Regulation
