a healthier life

What Are Natural Remedies - Are They Safe?

By Tess Thompson

Any herb or natural substance that is used for its medicinal properties in its original form as provided by nature falls under the category of natural remedies provided it is prepared/processed/formulated by using only natural substances. Any treatment procedure that meets the above definition, such as acupressure and acupuncture, also falls under natural remedies.

Most of the Western healthcare systems are based on synthetically produced medicines, even though a fair number of them are derived from herbs with a long history of curative properties. Despite this, herbal remedies of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are termed as alternative medicine.

Going by the same definition, homeopathy too falls under the category of natural and alternative remedies. Homeopathy, although less than 200 hundred years old is similar to ancient Eastern therapies with regards to the choice of basic ingredients for the remedies. It also uses herbs, plants, minerals and metals to prepare remedies using a dilution and succession process that is devoid of any synthetic products.

Two aspects of natural remedies, including herbal supplements need to be mentioned here - safety and theory. Safety of any remedy depends upon the natural product used and the ability of the person prescribing or preparing it. This is extremely important because the use of herbs for medicinal purposes is not regulated by the FDA.

Some herbs that have potent curative properties can be extremely poisonous in their undiluted form. For example, there is a saying in homeopathy that “when in doubt: try Nux Vomica” and it is often prescribed as a first line of treatment for numerous ailments. However, Nux Vomica is derived from an Asiatic plant that contains potent toxins like strychnine and brucine and can be extremely poisonous in its original state. It is the typical process of dilution employed by homeopathy that gives it the potency of treating disease. Self treating in natural remedies is not advisable. Alternatively, you can look for a reputed manufacturer or specialist.

The theory of natural therapies differs in the contention of the allopathic theory that a single compound in a drug gives better results as the dosage can be quantified easily. According to the theory of natural remedies, the various biologically active compounds in herbs interact with each other to increase the therapeutic effect and dilute toxicity. It also denies that the synergy of compounds can be duplicated with synthetic chemicals. While pharmaceutical researchers accept this synergism they insist on clinical trials to check the efficacy of a particular herbal formulation provided it is consistent.

Natural remedies are very effective and supported by some rational and logically prepared systems of treatment. It is another matter that due to commercial reasons and vested interests that such clinical trial is not easy to conduct to prove their efficacy. It is a historical irony that natural therapies, still accredited as efficacious treatment in many cultures are treated as alternative therapies by developed nations.

Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Are you a typist? Maybe your job requires you to sit in a cubicle and type all day long. Hey, I can certainly relate to this. I types thousands of words each day. As with many professions, typing all day can pose a few hazards. The more obvious ones concerning our hands, forearms and eyesight. I’m sure everyone has heard of poor vision and carpal tunnel syndrome. These are issues we all definitely want to avoid id possible. While the eyesight one is fairly simple, the other may take a tad more explaining. If you are suffering from headaches or sore eyes, you may want to consider using a larger font and scooting back further away from your computer. This can work wonders. As for the carpal tunnel syndrome, let’s just say that you’re much better off preventing it than acquiring it and needing carpal tunnel treatment.

Do you need carpal tunnel treatment? Yikes! If your answer is yes, then I certainly feel sorry for you. No one wants to grapple with this burden. I think something that a lot of folks don’t understand is that carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t the only one out there. In fact the big picture has more to do with repetitive actions than anything. These can take place in a number of jobs. They don’t necessarily have to involve a computer keyboard. Imagine other things that you may do daily, over and over. That repetitive motion could drive you to carpal tunnel treatment. Much of carpal tunnel has to do with improper placement of the hands and arms. For example, when you are sitting at your computer, it is prudent to sit up right at a 90 degree angle, back straight. Your arms should be out to your side, as opposed to tucked in on your lap. There is no need to rest your arms. They should hover above the keyboard. Furthermore, your wrists should be straight and aligned. You should be able to set a book on the back of your forearm and hand. It should rest flat. This is called proper typing position. Always remember to tap lightly on the keys. These steps will aid you a great deal in your typing regimes. After all, like I said, it’s much better to prevent these common injuries than have to attain carpal tunnel treatment. Not only is carpal tunnel treatment long and tedious, but it can take years to repair the damage. Type on!

Now before you say you’ve tried everything to get rid of your carpal tunnel syndrome, let me say that I’m very sure you have NOT tried what I’m about to reveal to you… and I guarantee you, your doctor, accupuncturist or therapist has no clue about this approach… because if they knew about it and used my straight forward, results focused, self treatment system, you and thousands of other carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers would not be in pain right now… it’s that effective!

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