Embracing The Power of Natural Alternative Medicine

Embracing The Power of Natural Alternative Medicine

Thomas Edison once said, "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human body, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." As we explore the world of healthcare, there is a growing interest in natural and holistic treatments. Biologically based practices offer diverse options such as botanicals, animal-derived extracts, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, prebiotics, probiotics, whole diets, and functional foods.

Dissecting Different Healthcare Philosophies

Various healthcare philosophies exist today, including allopathic, alternative, complementary, and integrative medicine. Each has a distinct focus, offering different types of therapies.

• Allopathic medicine* mainly treats physical illnesses with drugs and surgery. These practitioners hold M.D. degrees and are recognized as conventional physicians.
• Alternative medicine* includes therapies not typically recommended by allopathic physicians. Examples are energy medicine, ethnomedicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical or herbal medicine, biomolecular medicine, manual medicine, and spiritual medicine.
• Complementary medicine* incorporates practices used by both alternative and allopathic healthcare providers. This philosophy covers exercise, environmental, social, and nutritional medicine.
• Integrative medicine* aims to combine allopathic, complementary, and alternative approaches to address patients' physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs.

The Advantages of Naturopathic Medical Doctors

Many people are hesitant to trust non-allopathic healthcare providers. But Naturopathic Medical Doctors (N.M.D./N.D.) receive comprehensive training in both conventional and natural medicine. These professionals acquire a strong emphasis on safe and effective natural therapeutics during their four years in an accredited naturopathic medical school. Unfortunately, not all states offer licensing for Naturopathic Doctors.

While allopathic physicians and pharmaceutical drugs remain essential for acute or emergency care, many conditions can be prevented or controlled with lifestyle changes and biologically based medicine. Health practitioners should always be consulted before incorporating supplements into one's diet due to potential interactions with drugs or side effects.

The Rich History of Biologically Based Medicine

Biologically based medicine predates synthetic pharmaceuticals by thousands of years. Today, about 25% of prescription drugs contain active ingredients derived from plants. The growing interest in natural healing is evident in the United States, with a 2004 survey showing that 35% of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that herbal medicine remains the primary healthcare source for around 80% of the world's population.

Managing Chronic Diseases with Natural Alternatives

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are leading causes of death and disability in the United States, affecting the quality of life for 90 million people. While conventional physicians treat these conditions with expensive pharmaceuticals, these drugs may only relieve symptoms temporarily without addressing the root cause. Poor nutrition can often lead to chronic diseases, while many pharmaceuticals can be replaced with multi-vitamin supplements, botanicals, amino acids, fresh foods, and functional foods for both prevention and treatment.

Herbs often work synergistically, where combinations of herbs with similar properties can enhance each other's effects. An example is the combination of valerian, passion flower, and hops for relaxation and restful sleep. These herbs can be found in products like Melaleuca's RestEZ, which contains all three natural sleep enhancers.

In the second part of this exploration into the power of natural alternative medicine, we will discuss the regulation of nutritional supplements and the lesser-known history of natural medicine.