Alternative medicine is enjoying a boom as people start to take control of their own lives. As an alternative medical practitioner, a homeopath, I am very excited about this. When people take control of their own lives, there is no limit to what becomes possible. The limitations occur when you hand over that control to others. No one else but you, has your own best interests so much to heart. Once you start taking control of your own life, you start to question what’s best for your family, including your pets. You might now be asking yourself what could be the best alternative medicine for dogs. There are many different alternative medicine modalities about and you need to do a bit of research to decide what is most appropriate. There’s homeopathy, reiki, naturopathy, Chinese medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, flower essences, herbs, acupuncture or pressure, massage, Bowen therapy, to mention just a few. Many of these modalities will only be able to work in a limited way. For instance (and I’m no masseuse, so could be wrong), massage will probably only be good for strained muscles. And, although some can act on a deep level, they can be slow to show results, such as flower essences. And alternative medicine for dogs, really starts with their diet. If you’re feeding your dog an unhealthy diet, it doesn’t really matter what modality of health care you use – it’s not going to bear fruit. “You are what you eat. “Commercial dog food have few regulations and even fewer which are enforced. From the poor quality ‘meat’ by-products, to the nutritionless filler, to the dangerous preservatives, your dog is slowly being poisoned. Label claims of ‘preservative free’ or ‘natural’ are largely meaningless. Once you start feeding your dog a wholesome and REALLY natural food, you will see huge improvements in health. Sometimes, that’s all you need. But sometimes, you need to do more. Then you need to scour what’s available in alternative medicine for dogs. As a homeopath, you could say I’m biased (I agree!), but out of them all, the alternative medicine for dogs I consider has the greatest breadth and depth of real healing, is homeopathy. Homeopathy has the potential to deal with ailments as diverse as ligament damage, to heart disease, from an embedded grass seed to depression. The only areas where I consider medical services are required is the setting of a broken bone and the stitching up of extensive wounds. I don’t know of any other alternative medicine for dogs, where all this is possible. And homeopathy addresses the cause, rather than the effect. Lets look at that for a minute. Imagine a woman has just given birth, and has since developed haemorrhoids, or piles. Now there is a common homeopathic remedy for piles called Hamamelis. And this may well help. But it’s unlikely to cure. So you might have to keep taking it for a long time. There’s another common homeopathic remedy called Pulsatilla. And this helps with many ailments that develop from childbirth, including piles. Taking Pulsatilla is more likely to cure them for good. So if you can treat the cause, expect outstanding results. A permanent cure is the aim. One of the things I love about treating animals is their desire to help in the choosing of the right remedy. Most dogs are pretty outgoing and will make it very clear when you’ve selected the right remedy – they’ll lick the bottle, their lips or your hand, they’ll sit expectantly and wag their tail, they’ll look interested and attentive. If, on the other hand, you selected the wrong remedy, they’ll turn their head away, walk off, perhaps even snarl at you if you persist. To me, their body language is very clear. You really don’t need to be an animal communicator. Once you have gained a bit of an understanding of what’s available, choosing an holistic vet, for the more difficult ailments, who practices alternative medicine for dogs becomes easier, and you become involved with your dog’s treatment. I am passionate about your right of freedom to choose. But to choose, you have to know something about the subjects you want to choose between. So you need to listen to both, or all, sides of every aspect of every junction in your life that offers you that choice. Alternative medicine for dogs gives you plenty of choice!

I suppose I’m biased. But I love homeopathy. It’s my all time favourite alternative medicine. It’s so deep, so far reaching. And I love to tell others how I healed myself or members of my family, using it. My dogs like to jump up and bite at my horses tails. Normally, I’d let the animals sort it out themselves, but the horses had become so used to it, they had stopped reacting. So their tails were jagged and short, making lousy summer fly swats. The idea was I would encourage the dogs to jump up at the horses tails, then command them to stop doing it. Of course, the last laugh was on me. The dogs refused to co-operate and the horses didn’t like all the commotion at their rear end. I ended up with a nasty kick to my fore arm. The fore arm has little flesh, but a lot of bone and tendons. It doesn’t take much to get in deep. My first reaction was to reach for my treasured bottle of homeopathic Arnica. Although the pain disappeared and no bruising developed, thanks to Arnica, the swelling just kept gradually creeping up my arm. And I couldn’t carry anything heavy, or twist my arm. I had to look at other remedies. The remedies which best follow Arnica, when Arnica fails to completely cure a soft tissue injury, are Bellis perennis and Calendula. Both are in the same family of plants. Bellis perennis is the best remedy for a contusion and for any deep bruising or trauma. A few doses of homeopathic Bellis perennis and the swelling subsided and my arm was back in full working order within a couple of days. Homeopathy is so brilliant for injuries. The only areas that need extra help is in the setting of a broken bone and the stitching up of a large, open wound. There are remedies which will cover just about every other condition. But homeopathy isn’t just limited to injuries. Deep, chronic conditions can be healed, too. Conditions such as hormonal disturbances, migraines, internal organ weaknesses and a whole host of other conditions. I confess I know little about other alternative medicine modalities, and they all have their place. But I find homeopathy to be just the most rewarding modality to use, the most easy to show others how to use in the comfort of their own homes. Its depth and breadth is surely hard to beat. Homeopaths don’t categorise conditions. To treat someone successfully with homeopathy, you need to know the individual symptoms of that person at that time. For instance, a soft tissue injury pain is likely to be an aching pain. This indicates Arnica. Whereas a nerve injury is likely to have a shooting pain. This indicates Hypericum, the top nerve injury remedy. And to treat someone successfully using homeopathic remedies, it helps to know the cause. I well remember reading of a homeopath treating a man with severe stomach pains. He had suffered the pain for years, trekking from one doctor to the next, all to no avail. Finally he tried homeopathy. When he told the homeopath that the pain had developed after a kick in the stomach from a horse, Arnica was prescribed and completely cured the problem. Other alternative medicine modalities can be incredibly useful for musculo-skeletal problems, but it’s often the homeopathic remedies that cure the problem for good. While it may be difficult to pack say, an alternative medicine practitioner, into a cupboard at home, it’s easy to store a first aid kit. Having a homeopathic first aid kit can prove it’s weight in gold, when you count how many times you can turn to it for every day conditions as well as emergencies.

Alternative Health Tips

Naturopathy is Swasha Vritha or the prophylactic or preventive aspect. Ayurveda is the Athura Vritha or Therapy. Both are related sciences.

Daily Routines or Dinacharya, according to Ayurveda

The ideal time to get up is 04. 30 AM. This is known as Brahma Muhurtha or the Time of Brahman, the Absolute. After getting up, one should know the condition of the body. Then one should brush one’s teeth and go to toilet for bowel movement. One should brush teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Then one should go in for an Oil Bath. Oil, preferably coconut oil should be used. This oil should be pasted all over the body and one should wait for at least 30 minutes and then take a bath. Cold bath is ideal but for those suffering from diseases hot water bath is good.

Oil bath gives you good sleep. Weakness of the body will disappear. Your body will grow in strength. Your eyes will sparkle. ” Abhyangam Achareth Nithyam ” says Ayurveda ( Daily you should go in for Oil Bath ). But those suffering from indigestion and excess Kapha should not go in for Oil Bath.

Pathya – Diet Control

When Ayurvedic medicines are taken, one should observe Pathya or Diet Control.

The Six Tastes of Ayurveda are – Sweet, bitter, astringent, sour, pungent and salty. Those suffering from Hyperacidity or Ulcer should not take in foods that are Sour or Pungent. This is known as Pathya. For every disease, there are foods that should not be taken in. For people suffering from heart trouble, cholesterol containing eggs, meat, beef etc should not be taken in. This is Pathya.

Now there is a saying in Ayurveda that for one observing Pathya, there is no need for medicine, as negative food is phased out and Spontaneous Cure takes place. Also for one not observing Pathya, as intake of medicines become useless, as negative food devastates his disease. Pathya means the Way to Health. Apathya means taking in the negative food which foster the disease.

Banana – Nature’s Tonic

The Banana is full of vitamins and minerals. It contains iron, phosphorus and vitamins like Niacin and Riboflavin. A big banana can confer more than 200 calories.

The fructose contained in banana turns to energy after intake. Along with protein and starch, it contains minerals like sulphur, iron, magnesium, copper & calcium. There is less fat content in bananas. Bananas will reduce the acidity in blood. It contains Vitamins C, A, B, D & E.

Along with bananas, warm milk should be taken. This is the ideal food for growing children. But then the obese should not take milk along with bananas. As Bananas have Rasayana properties, use of it will keep you young. You can live for months only on bananas. Bananas can be used as medicine for patients with liver complaints and for digestive tract disorders. Also it can be taken by those suffering from Malnutrition and Scurvy. Also for patients suffering from eye and dental diseases. ( as it contains Vitamin A & Cacium ).

Continence or Brahmacharya

By Continence or Brahmacharya, we mean the control of libidinal life. Both Ojas ( Light ) and Veerya ( Virility ) are based on the Seventh Tissue Element, Semen. Avoid the misuse of this great Dhathu, says Ayurveda. Too much indulgence in sex makes you lose this Seventh Tissue Element and this will result in weakness of body. Body ache, headache etc will be the result. Loss of semen adversely affects reversely the other Six Tisssue Elements.

If you observe Brahmacharya ( practise Continence ), improved memory, grapsing power, physical strength, discriminative intellect, mental happiness, increase of Ojas or effulgence on the face etc will be the result. In order to have good health, you have to control sex. But then as pure Brahmacharya is impossible for married men, controlled Brahmacharya or celibacy is advocated.

Insomnia

Lack of sleep is due to many factors – Anxiety, mental tension, over exercise, emotional suffering etc. When Anger and enmity are suppressed, sleeplessness is the result. Constipation, digestive tract disorders, coffee, tea etc will destroy sleep. Thoughts about sleeplessness will only compound the problem. Use of sleeling pills is not ideal. You may have to depend on such pills. And increasing the quantity is asking for trouble. If Alcohol is taken along with pills, there will repercussions.

Avoid beverages like Cola, tea and coffee. And take in less fatty foods. Avoid fried foods. Take only small quantity of food at night. If you have warm milk before going to sleep, if you keep the mind tranquil, you will doze off to slumberland. You should take food 3 hours before going to bed. It will be better if you can hear peaceful music. Reading is also a good habit which will take you to slumberland. You should walk at least half an hour before going to sleep. It will help to digest the food taken. Meditation will give you good sleep.

Constipation

The modern fast food culture is responsible for Constipation. Anxiety, fear, mental tension – all these create Constipation. Naturopaths averr that Constipation is the root cause of all diseases. Some antacids also create Constipation. In certain conditions, water will be absorbed in the Colon and faecal matter may solidify. Such hard stools are difficult to dislodge. Lack of proper timing of food, anxiety, mental problems etc all cause Constipation. Constipation will create back pain, weight in the stomach, headache, loss of appetite etc.

Intake of fruits and vegetables organically grown, 12 glasses of water daily, ensure mental peace, correct bowel movements – all these will cure Constipation

Gas Trouble or Hyperacidity

This is a very common disease. In India, there are very few homes without antacid tablets ! On one side, we take a lot of antacids and on the other take in acidic foods ! Amongst the Six Tastes, that which is Sour, Pungent and Salty foster Hyperacidity.

Fried foods, foods containing Masala, very cold drinks,potato, plantains – all these foster Gas Trouble. Lack of exercise is one of the causative factors. Also working seated for long hours. Mental tensions also foster this disease. It is not what you eat, but it is what eats you that is the cause of this common disease.

Mental pain, thoughts of revenge, fear – all these pave the way for this malady. There is an Emotional Center in the brain. When we have mental upsets, this Emotional Center stimulates the oxintic cells in our stomach to secrete Hyrochloric Acid. Lots of gas going from the rectal tract, indigestion – all these are the symptoms of gas trouble. Naturopaths averr that Constipation is the cause of this disease, nay, for all diseases !

Hurry, Worry and Curry are the main causative factors for this disease. Eating food fast, overeating, foods with masala, sour, pungent, salty foods, pickles, chillies, potato, soda, cola, chilled beer, nictoine, alcohol, very hot foods, chewing gum – all these cause Hyperacidity. Prevention is better than Cure. Avoid the Apathya foods and be healthy !

More information about Ayurveda can be had at

http://www. eastrovedica. com/html/ayurveda3. htm

Contradictory Foods

Contradictory Foods are known in Ayurveda as ” Samyoga Viruddha”. When contradictory foods are taken in, it will increase the Doshic imbalance and becomes the cause of many diseases. Shrimp and Milk, Fish and butter, Sour fruits & Milk – are some examples of Contradictory Foods. They are to be avoided at all costs.

Chicken & butter should not be taken in simultaneously. Honey and ghee in equal quantities also is prohibited in Ayurveda

Colon Hydrotherapy

Naturopathy says that diseases are caused by the accumulation of morbid matter. Natural Hygiene says the cause is Toxemia, or the infusion of toxins into the blood.

One of the methods of cleaning the Colon is Enema or Colon Hydrotherapy. I have been practising Enema for the last 18 years. In 1989, while I was participating in an Exhibition Stall in Trichur ( a 41 day affair ), the nearest stall was a Naturopathy stall and the Chief Naturopath told me that the best way to get rid of Gas trouble was to take 15 light enemas.

I bought an enema can and have been doing this when I have any rectal block. This therapy is effective as we can see putrified faecal matter going out 10 minutes after the enema is administered. This is Jalopasana or Water Therapy or Hydro Therapy. All the ancient cultures advocated Hydro Therapy, as Water has got tremendous medicinal properties. Not only faecal matter, but gas, mucous and toxins go out of the rectal tract.

Fasting Therapy

Fasting Therapy is one of the best therapies. The digestive system gets rest during fasting. ” Lankhanam Paramoushadam ” – Fasting is the best medicine. Water Fasting, Fruit Fasting, Juice fasting — there are many types of fasting. Juice Fasting is superior to Water Fasting as the body is supported nutritionally.

The basic principle of Naturopathy is that Nature has healing power and that the Five Doctors are the Elemental Five -Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. ( Annam Brahma ). By Annam is not meant Food, but the Five Doctors, the Five Elements. ” The Five Doctors are the best, as the Five Elements are prior to all “, declares the Upanishads. ( Annam hi bhoothanam jyeshtyam, thasmad Sarvoushadam Uchyathe )

Ghee – The True Rasayana

Rasayana Therapy is Rejuvenation Therapy. That which rejuvenates the body is Rasayana. Ghee is considered to be the True Rasayana. All Ayurvedic preparations are based on ghee, I mean, almost all the Rasayanas. Ghee contains Vitamins A E, K D etc. Vitamin E and Vitamin A are anti-oxidants. Diseases are caused by the excessive production of Free Radicals and these two are antidotes to Free Radicals. The famous Chyavan Prash is based on Ghee. It is said that the Rasayanas confer beauty, longevity, intelligence, youthfulness, health etc. Ghee, taken in moderate quantities, will confer these.

Macronutrients

Origins and History

Food is the basic resource of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that allow our body to do its daily performance. Our ability to eat foods and then extract the proper nutrients is what allows us to gain both energy and the building blocks for our immune system and other bodily functions. To understand human nutrition we must begin with the basics, that is, the building blocks and the chemical structure of food. Some reeducation is useful to help realize that many of the foods that we buy in food stores, fast food chains, and in health food stores may not actually be healthy for the human body. No longer may we overlook terms such as complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, processed foods, refined grains, caffeine ingestion, alcohol consumption, and refined oils. . (Macronutrients) Food intake and type have a profound effect on individual health. Although the ingestion of foods may not cause any acute deleterious effects on the health for humans, the long-term effects have been clearly documented in the literature. (Macronutrients)

As we cross the line into the new millennium, physicians and other health care providers need to consider how to effect change in our patients with less emphasis on the use of synthetic drugs and other chemical concoctions. Nutritional literature supports a growing realization that food could have a significant contributory factor in many of our chronic ailments of today, including cancer, collagen vascular diseases, arthritis, and even progressive aging. Our patients are spending billions of dollars on diets like high protein, low carbohydrate, low fat, low protein, Paleolithic, blood typing, zone, starvation, food pyramid, allergic disorder, caloric restriction, and juicing diets. Unfortunately, none of these specialized protocols is universally ideal. Individualized treatment and prescription of the appropriate diet is essential for the improvement for a patient’s nutritional status. (Macronutrients)

Diabetics should look after their feet ( Alternative Medicine )

It is confirmed that the health of diabetic patient’s feet is very important and any injury or bruise, the size of a spot may cause problems right down to the bone and cause gangrene, so diabetics should take care of their feet from shoes to socks and nails to heels. Experts stated at a press conference that for diabetics the most vulnerable organ is their feet. The feet are the organs which are most exposed so when the flow of blood slows at the feet they start to lose sensitivity. An expert claims that even a little bruise might leave the feet more vulnerable to future injuries so diabetics should protect their feet:

”Your feet should be washed every night with warm water, be dried thoroughly and moisturised. After sports and walking, the underside of the feet should be checked with a mirror to ensure there are no bruises. Socks musn’t be too big or too small, musn’t be scrunched up or torn. Shoes should be made from soft leather, with smooth inside and not pointed or tapered at the front. Toe nails should be cut short. Nails should be cut straight across, not rounded. ” ( Alternative Medicine )

Experts warn that if diabetic people don’t take these warnings seriously and don’t follow these guidelines they may lose their feet or legs, “treatment is too difficult and lengthy. If injuries don’t heal properly, even a little bruise the size of a spot can reach the bone and become gangrene and can cause loss of toes or whole feet. ”

Alternative Medicine