Alternative medicine is any healing practice "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine.
It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence.
Alternative medicine is frequently grouped with complementary medicine or integrative medicine, which, in general, refers to the same interventions when used in conjunction with mainstream techniques,under the umbrella term complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM. Some researchers in alternative medicine object to this categorization, preferring to emphasize differences of approach, but nevertheless use the term CAM, which has become standard.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard care. Standard care is what medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy and allied health professionals, such as registered nurses and physical therapists, practice. Alternative medicine means treatments that you use instead of standard ones. Complementary medicine means nonstandard treatments that you use along with standard ones. Examples of CAM therapies are acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal medicines.
In recent years, scientists have begun looking into the potential health benefits of starting up a meditation practice. So far, studies have shown that meditation may help soothe insomnia, depression, and anxiety, as well as enhance heart health and memory.
One of the latest studies on meditation suggests that regular practice may preserve brain health as you age.
With cold season upon us, many people turn to neti pots to help relieve nasal congestion. Long used in ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India), neti pots help clear out the nasal passages by flushing them with a salt-water rinse. Many individuals also use neti pots to soothe allergy symptoms and treat sinus infections. Although research on the health benefits of neti pots is somewhat limited, some studies show that nasal irrigation may help alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (including the common cold) and rhinosinusitis (an inflammation of the sinuses commonly linked to allergies). When performing any kind of nasal irrigation, it's extremely important to avoid the use of unfiltered tap water.
A lesser-known natural remedy, inositol is a substance found in many high-fiber foods and widely available in supplement form. Known to boast antioxidant power, inositol is often used to treat psychological issues like anxiety and depression. Some proponents suggest that inositol can also help promote healthy sleep, lower cholesterol levels, and even fight cancer.
Although research on inositol's health benefits is fairly limited, there's some evidence that this remedy may help treat panic disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, and metabolic syndrome. In addition, preliminary studies indicate that inositol may help knock out cancer cells and slow tumor growth.
To help manage diabetes, some patients turn to benfotiamine (a substance sold in supplement form and found naturally in foods like garlic and onions). Increased intake of benfotiamine is thought to raise blood levels of thiamine (a B vitamin) and--in turn--protect against nerve disorders that are common among diabetes patients.
To date, relatively few studies have tested the potential health benefits of taking benfotiamine supplements. Still, findings from several small studies suggest that benfotiamine may help treat diabetic neuropathy (a condition marked by nerve damage resulting from diabetes-related elevation in blood sugar levels).
