While western medicine includes numerous treatments, therapies and medications that are validated by scientific bases, no scientific studies exist to support the alleged benefits of alternative types of health care following eastern practices....
Naturopathy, also known as natural medicine, is the practice of treating illnesses and symptoms with organic or natural herbs and remedies, combined with the belief that given time and proper balance, the body can heal itself. Naturopathy takes a...
When you want to quit smoking or using chewing tobacco, there are a number of treatment options you can use. One of them, mint snuff, replaces tobacco with a less harmful substance -- mint -- that may also offer health benefits, particularly if...
Health enthusiasts widely tout noni as a "superfruit", a fruit-bearing plant with potent medicinal properties. This grenade-shaped green fruit has been valued for centuries as a treatment for several common conditions. Although noni juice is...
Conjunctivitis is a type of eye infection commonly known as "pink eye." Symptoms may include redness, itching, swollen eyelids, drainage, pain and irritation. The infection may resolve within a short time, but in the case of a more extensive...
The alfalfa plant has been used for centuries as a food, nutritional supplement and naturopathic medicine. Some scientific evidence suggests that they may be beneficial. Alfalfa supplements are generally safe and associated with few side effects,...
Betaine hydrochloride supplements provide additional hydrochloric acid for the stomach to assist in digestion and absorption of nutrients. Some naturopathic health practitioners advocate betaine HCL for many health disorders based on theories of...
For at least 300 years, naturopathic health care providers have recommended wild yam as a treatment for common health problems in women. Herblists continue to recommend this starchy vegetable, as well as its extracts, to ease menstrual disorders,...
Lactobacillus acidophilus, a species of probiotic or "friendly" bacteria, offers several important health benefits to people of all ages. Acidophilus promotes overall wellbeing and may play a role in the treatment or prevention of several common...
Naturopathic doctors are health care providers specializing in natural medicine and therapies. They focus on using natural health to treat the underlying cause of medical conditions rather than symptoms. Naturopathic medicine often involves a...
Reishi and maitake mushrooms have a range of uses for your health, although of the two types of mushrooms, only maitake is suitable for culinary uses. Understand the medical benefits of each mushroom to make the best choice for you, but always...
The richly fragrant bark of the cinnamon tree has been used for centuries as a culinary seasoning and botanical medicine. Cinnamon's spicy-sweet flavor makes it a popular ingredient in desserts and beverages, and some naturopathic health care...
Having live bacteria and yeast in your food or dietary supplement may sound disgusting, but could actually be healthy. Known as probiotics, supplements containing microbes such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifidus or bifidobacterium...
Many people think of vinegar merely as the solution that turns cucumbers into pickles, or a main component in salad dressing. But vinegar is sometimes discussed by natural health devotees as somewhat of a miracle substance, prized for its...
Thinning hair is a common effect of aging, but some people believe olive oil and cloves can help you grow thicker hair. Because such a claim is unsupported by rigorous scientific research, seek your doctor's advice before using it as a hair...
Epsom salts contain magnesium, which can help alleviate the pain and inflammation of injuries such as sprains and strains. Make an Epsom salts compress to ease pain in sore muscles or help relieve pain from bruises. The Southwest Council of...
Words like "naturopath" and "holistic" may seem like New Age terms, but natural health, or naturopathic medicine, has been been in practice in different cultures for centuries. Today, many natural health practices are considered "alternative"...
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an important omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in fatty fish. Fish oil is the most popular non-vitamin supplement sold in the United States. Supplements containing DHA are increasingly popular for children, both...
It can be hard to focus or enjoy the things around you when your lungs feel congested. There are a few herbs that may help you breathe easier during those times. Many of the herbs that can help are considered natural expectorants. However, these...
Dry skin brushing helps to remove dead skin and improve circulation, the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences website reports. The technique for dry skin brushing, as in massage, involves moving toward the heart....
Cramp bark is a tall bush commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. Traditional healers value this attractive plant for its many potential health benefits. As of 2010, few scientific studies have investigated the benefits traditionally...
Kidney inflammation can be short-term or chronic and may come with a variety of symptoms like bloody urine, diminished urine output, fatigue, nausea and swelling in the face or legs. Alternatively, kidney inflammation may have no symptoms at all....
There are several different types of arthritis, and many of them have different root causes. Some are caused by inflamed cartilage, and others are the result of a disorder that causes the body to attack its own joints. Arthritis can cause pain,...
Gotu kola is an herb that is popular in China, India and Indonesia. It grows in these regions as well as Japan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, gotu kola is used to treat conditions such as...
The dietary supplement MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) got a boost in the ratings when in 1999, 70-year-old James Coburn was interviewed after he won a best supporting actor Oscar and claimed MSM cured his rheumatoid arthritis. Coburn said he had...
False unicorn root, also known as Helonias root, is an herb that grows wild in North America. For centuries, it has been used by Native Americans to treat a variety of gynecological conditions. Today, modern herbalists value the root for its...
The largest organ in the body, the liver holds a place of priority for naturopaths and health enthusiasts alike. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the liver serves a wide variety of bodily functions such as bile-producing,...
Aloe vera is one of the most frequently used herbs in America, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, primarily as a remedy for burns, minor cuts, abrasions and other skin conditions. The gel from the aloe plant may work by...
Prostate enlargement, medically called benign prostatic hyperlasia or BPH, typically affects men over the age of 40. Symptoms appear in more than half of men in their 60s and up to 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s, according to the National...
