Download File - Candice M. Gorremans

Complementary and
Alternative Medicine Part III,
Alternative Western
Therapies
Candice Gorremans
Kaplan University
Outline
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Introduction
Naturopathic Medicine
Western Herbalism
Aromatherapy
Nutrition and Hydration
Resources
Introduction
Alternative Western therapies includes therapies that
have either developed or become popular in Western
culture. They have become essential components of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). They
have also helped many Americans make a smooth
transition from science-based medicine to Integrative
and/or CAM.
Naturopathic Medicine
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Naturopathic Medicine is a major branch of Complementary and
Alternative Medicine and a leading option for integrative primary care. It
combines concepts of science-based medicine, innate healing systems,
therapeutic modalities and a patient-centered approach. The core principle
of naturopathic medicine is to treat the whole person, mind, body and spirit
while increasing body’s innate healing ability.
Contemporary naturopathic medicine stems from the healing systems of
the 1700s and 1800s. Although the term naturopathy was first coined by
Dr. John Scheel in 1895, it was Benedict Lust who founded the profession
in 1896.
There are seven core principles of naturopathic medicine that serve as
basic doctrine and guide for naturopaths: nature’s healing power, first do
no harm, treat the whole person, find the cause, health promotion and
wellness, preventive medicine and doctor as teacher
In naturopathy, there is strong emphasis on disease prevention and health
promotion.
Various modalities exist naturopathic medicine. These include
homeopathy, detoxification, hydrotherapy and clinical nutrition.
Western Herbalism
Herbalism can be defined as the practice and study of using plants for
medicine, food and health promotion.
• Themes of Western Herbalism
a. Emphasis on the holistic healing
b. Optimizing health and wellness
c. The importance of recycling
d. Regulation of the herbalist’s practice
e. Acceptance of things that are unmeasurable and abstract
f. Being open to the exchange of knowledge
e. Humility
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Up until World War II, plant materials were the primary source of
medicines for physicians. As science based medicine became more
prevalent in Western society, the importance of plant based materials for
medicinal use became less important. Nevertheless, herbal remedies from
plant materials continue to be the primary source of treatment in many
countries throughout the world.
Western Herbalism
Although the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not
regulate herbal products and remedies on efficacy or concentration of drugs, it
does regulate herbal products on safety. In 1994, the Dietary Supplement
Health Education Act was passed. This was a critical piece of legislation,
directed at regulating herbal products
Aromatherapy
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Aromatherapy is a CAM modality in which essential oils are used as a
platform for mind-body healing. Modern use of essential oils began in
1937 with French perfumer Rene Maurice Gattefosse and his two
colleagues.
Aromatherapy has grown increasingly popular over the past 20 years.
Many people enjoy the versatility of essential oils, and they provide them
with an easy way to conduct self-healing.
In a broad sense, aromatherapy can be broken up into four different
categories: holistic (involving whole body massage), medical (for
alternative treatment of medical problems), clinical (used to augment
allopathic medical treatment) and aesthetic (used in skin and hair care
products).
Essential oils can be used in a number of clinical interventions: topical
preparations, wound dressings, foot baths, nasal gels and mouth rinses
Some of the main pharmacological actions of essential oils include: antiinflammatory, sedative, immune stimulating, anti-parasitic, antifungal and
analgesic
The most commonly used essential oils include: lavender, eucalyptus,
rosemary, sweet orange, chamomile, lemongrass, peppermint, rose and
tea tree.
Aromatherapy
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As with any product that has medicinal properties, there are safety
concerns with the use of essential oils in aromatherapy. When used
inappropriately, essential oils can be hazardous to human health.
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Although there are only a few documented cases of illness or adverse
reactions from essential oils, it is still recommended that they be
administered by a certified Aromatherapist for medicinal purposes.
Nutrition and Hydration
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Eating regular, well balanced, healthy meals is essential to overall
wellness and is a basic principle of CAM. We use food to provide our body
with the nutrients it needs to grow and function properly.
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Although the United States Department of Agriculture has put forth great
effort to promote healthy eating habits, many Americans are malnourished
from regular consumption of unhealthy foods
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When the appropriate amount of macro and micronutrients are ingested,
managing the stresses of life and performing at an optimal level becomes
much easier.
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Diet and nutrition is often used Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and
Naturopathy as therapy. In these tenets of medicine, diet and nutrition is a
key component to a holistic approach.
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The Pritikin diet which was introduced by Dr. Dean Ornish, was a critical
component is restoring heart health along with exercise and stress
management.
Nutrition and Hydration
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A vegetarian lifestyle is one that excludes any type of meat whether it be
fish, poultry or beef. However, animal products such as milk and eggs are
still consumed. Long-term research has shown that a vegetarian diet can
reduce the risk of colon cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.
A vegan diet, which excludes meat and animal products has been shown
by long-term research to treat ischemic chest pain, asthma and high blood
pressure.
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Detoxification has gained popularity in Western society to remove toxins
and cleanse the body. The best method for a complete detox is to eat
fruits, vegetables and lots of water.
Resources
Naturopathic.org
http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=60
Fruits and Veggies More Matters
• http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/fruit-and-veggie-color-list
Questions?