How to Lower Cholesterol With Alternative Medicine

How to Lower Cholesterol With Alternative Medicine



People with high cholesterol are at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Prescription medications are very effective to lower cholesterol levels when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Those who do not want to use medicine to lower cholesterol levels may turn to natural or alternative medicine as a solution. Yoga, acupuncture and herbal supplements are all alternative methods that may help lower cholesterol.







Things You'll Need:





Fiber-rich diet




Hawthorn berry supplements




Astragalus supplements




Garlic cloves or supplements




Yoga class or instructional videos




Licensed acupuncturist









1


Incorporate fiber-rich foods into your diet to help lower cholesterol levels. Foods such as oatmeal, fruits, leafy green vegetables, beans and lentils all contain high levels of fiber, which assists in lowering the "bad" cholesterol in your blood called LDL. Add ground flaxseeds and flaxseed oil to your morning cereal or yogurt as an added boost.





2


Use Chinese herbal therapy as an alternative way to lower cholesterol. Shan Zha, also called Hawthorn berry and Astragalus are herbs that realign the body's energy (called qi) and can be beneficial to cholesterol and cardiovascular health. Both of these herbs and many more vitamin and mineral supplements can be found at health stores such as GNC (see Resources below).





3


Spice up your cooking with garlic. An increase of garlic in the diet may have a positive effect on cholesterol in some people. If you do not like the flavor of garlic, you can buy a garlic pill supplement at health food or drug stores.





4


Practice alternative medicine in the form of yoga, meditation or other relaxation techniques. The reduced tension in your body and mind may be an effective method for lowering cholesterol. Use the Yoga Directory online to locate yoga classes in your area or to order instructional videos for use at home (see Resources below).





5


Make an appointment for an acupuncture session to see if it can help you lower your cholesterol. Acupuncture uses very thin needles to stimulate areas of the body to adjust your qi when you experience pain or other illness. Search Acufinder.com, an online acupuncturist locater service, to find licensed professionals near your home (see Resources below).








Tips & Warnings










Never try to self-treat high cholesterol with alternative medicine without consulting your doctor. Herbal remedies are not for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications you may be taking. In cases of dangerously high blood cholesterol levels, prescription medication may be the safest and most effective way to lower cholesterol.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2228230_lower-cholesterol-alternative-medicine.html

How to Lower Blood Sugar With Apple Cider Vinegar

How to Lower Blood Sugar With Apple Cider Vinegar



You can lower blood sugar with apple cider vinegar, which has long been valued for its nutritive properties as a folk remedy. The health benefits and effect of apple cider vinegar on blood glucose levels has been clinically researched. Follow the steps below to lower blood sugar with apple cider vinegar without having to spend your hard earned money on commercial medications.







Things You'll Need:





Apple cider vinegar supplements




Apple cider vinegar




Вј cup apple cider vinegar




Вј cup honey









1


Stir 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar into a glass of water or juice. Drink this right before you go to bed.





2


Mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with ¼ cup honey to make “honegar.” D.C. Jarvis, M.D, a well-known proponent of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, said mixing it with honey enhances its healing powers. Store your honegar in a glass jar, and take two tablespoons a day.





3


Purchase apple cider vinegar supplements, and take a daily dose of 285mg. This is a convenient way to fit Apple cider vinegar into a busy schedule, or if you simply do not like the taste of this vinegar dissolved in water or juice.





4


Make a blood-sugar-lowering salad dressing from apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Pour Вј cup apple cider vinegar into a clean jar. Add Вј cup olive oil. Shake the jar and then pour it into a spray bottle. Use the mixture as a salad spritz. Olive oil in itself is effective for lowering blood sugar.





5


Add apple cider vinegar to your daily diet. Use it to marinate meats and season different foods.








Tips & Warnings










Organic apple cider vinegar has a milder taste than the regular apple cider vinegar.








Hippocrates is said to have used apple cider vinegar as a health tonic








*Always seek the professional advice of your primary care physician or other licensed health care practitioner before you seek to lower blood sugar with apple cider vinegar.








*Do not take more than 2 teaspoons of undiluted apple cider vinegar a day. Taken in large doses over an extended period it tends to erode the enamel off your teeth and cause burns in the mouth and throat.








*Females suffering from osteoporosis should avoid apple cider vinegar, because it has been shown to reduce bone density if used over an extended period of time.








*Never use of apple cider vinegar with laxatives, diuretics or heart medication.



http://www.ehow.com/how_4494400_lower-blood-sugar-apple-cider.html

How to Find Accredited Naturopathic Schools

How to Find Accredited Naturopathic Schools



Naturopathic medical colleges are graduate institutions that offer complete physician training comparable to allopathic medical schools. Students who want to become primary care providers in states that license naturopathy need to attend accredited naturopathic schools. Unsanctioned programs may be limited to one modality, and content may vary. The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education evaluates accredited schools periodically to ensure the highest standard of comprehensive natural health care education. Naturopathy is a form of alternative medicine that can encompass a variety of treatments like acupuncture, massage and nutritional counseling to treat many different conditions, including allergies, asthma and arthritis.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet access







Know What You're Looking For




1


Distinguish between the N.D. and N.M.D. degrees and other designations, such as D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) or L.M.T. (Licensed Massage Therapist), which do not have the same prescriptive and practice rights as licensed by the states. Among these certifications, only N.D.'s or N.M.D.'s are accepted by hospitals and insurance agencies as primary care providers.





2


Learn more about what to expect from naturopathic medical programs at the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges Web site (see Resources below).





3


Compare the 6 accredited schools that offer the N.D./N.M.D. program in the United States and Canada. These are the Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington (near Seattle); the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Western Canada; the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto; the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon; the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona; and the College of Naturopathic Medicine at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.



Find Accredited Schools




1


Contact accredited schools for information about tuition, financial aid and program details.





2


Set up a campus visit to find the right school for you.








Tips & Warnings










Accredited naturopathic schools offer the N.D. or N.M.D. degree. These doctors are licensed to practice in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington or Washington, D.C., as well as in Canada.








Like conventional medical schools, tuition at naturopathic colleges is expensive, but the schools have access to equal federal scholarship opportunities in addition to privately funded aid.








A certificate from a non-accredited college will not qualify you for licensing by the state.








Internet-based or remote learning programs are not recommended or accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (see Resources below).








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031469_accredited-naturopathic-schools.html

How to Do Qigong Exercises

How to Do Qigong Exercises



More than a set of exercises, more than meditation and more than just a "practice," Qigong is a lifestyle. Pronounced "chee-gong," the art of Qigong blends these elements into a total system of self-directed healing and wellness. Qigong is often used to help manage blood pressure, back pain and even cancer symptoms. Qigong exercises are inexpensive to do because no materials are required other than comfortable clothing. Follow these steps to learn more.







Things You'll Need:





Comfortable clothing









1


Choose a form to practice. Qigong has many different forms. Each is slightly different and has its own unique advantages.





2


Relax. Relaxation is central to Qigong. You must feel relaxed mentally and physically to achieve the results you want.





3


Breathe deeply and regularly. Don't stress about the proper "form" or "style" of your breathing. Just let your breath come naturally and evenly.





4


Release any tension in your body and mind.





5


Proceed through the exercises slowly, but with focus. Being relaxed doesn't mean being loose or sloppy. Every movement should have purpose and be done with poise and strength.





6


Focus on every movement. Even the slightest bend or motion has purpose.





7


Visualize your goal. You may use Qigong to build strength, flexibility and endurance or to manage or treat a specific condition or disease. See yourself achieving the particular results you desire.





8


Direct your energies. Picture the part of your body you're targeting and imagine directing your energy toward it.





9


Feel each breath go to the targeted area and envision oxygen and energy combining to heal and restore that organ.





10


Enjoy yourself. Above all, Qigong should be enjoyable and invigorating. Forget everything else going on in your life for the time you practice. It will all still be there when you're done.





11


Find enjoyable, low-cost classes near you to learn more about Qigong. The Qigong Institute Web site has information on classes in various cities (see Resources below).








Tips & Warnings










Practice proper breathing techniques first. Then incorporate exercises for maximum benefit.








While practicing Qigong exercises doesn't mandate the use of any outside exercise equipment or aids, you may find it helpful to research the basic techniques involved by studying one of the guidebooks written by expert Qigong practitioners (see Resources below).








Qigong exercises are low impact and low stress, but if you experience acute back pain, dizziness or nausea when you do them, seek immediate medical attention.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031518_do-qigong-exercises.html

How to Distinguish Different Chinese Herbs

How to Distinguish Different Chinese Herbs



Herbal treatments are perhaps the most recognizable of the contemporary practice of traditional Chinese medicine. There are currently about 600 different herbs used almost exclusively in combination with one another to treat physical maladies ranging from hypertension to muscle soreness. Chinese medicine proponents believe that herbal treatments restore the body's natural chemical balance. Follow these steps to learn more.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet connection







Understand How Chinese Herbs Are Classified




1


Know the two major classification systems of Chinese herbs: temperature and taste properties.





2


Understand the principles of herb temperature. There are four different temperatures--hot, warm, cool and cold--that are used to restore balance to the body. For example, a cold or cool herb would be used to treat a fever, which makes the body too hot.





3


Learn to distinguish between the five taste properties of Chinese herbs: sour, bitter, sweet, spicy and salty. As with the temperature principles, different-tasting herbs can be combined to restore a balance in the body that's been lost.





4


Visit your local health food store or an area herbalist to learn more about the temperature and taste properties that distinguish
Chinese herbs
.



Learn How Chinese Herbs Affect the Body




1


Recognize that ginseng is the only Chinese herb normally taken on its own. All 600 other herbs are administered, for medical purposes, in combinations with one another.





2


Find out how to distinguish between the four basic functions of Chinese herbs. They're used in medicine: ascending, descending, floating and sinking. A qualified Chinese medicine practitioner will be glad to explain the complex theory behind these functions.





3


Read about the six possible effects of combining different Chinese herbs: mutual accentuation, mutual enhancement, mutual counteraction, mutual suppression, mutual antagonism and mutual incapability. You can learn more about these effects by perusing the "Chinese Herbalist's Handbook" online (see Resources below).





4


Find a host of useful links by visiting Ability.org (see Resources below). Read about the practice of Chinese medicine and Chinese herbology.








Tips & Warnings










If you're interested in trying Chinese herbal treatments, check with your health insurance provider to see if your prescription drug plan covers it. Comprehensive coverage packages sometimes cover alternative treatments. In general, Chinese herbs are inexpensively to moderately priced.








Never self-administer any medications, even herbal medications, without professional guidance. Consult a qualified practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine before you undertake a treatment program for any ailment, no matter how minor it might seem.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031538_distinguish-different-chinese.html

How to Differentiate Between Traditional and Classical Chinese Medicine

How to Differentiate Between Traditional and Classical Chinese Medicine



What is known about classical Chinese medicine is derived from a core of ancient texts scribed some 3,000 years ago by the earliest Chinese physicians. Esoteric and banned for many centuries, classical Chinese medicine evolved into the traditional Chinese medicine of today, with its now-familiar techniques like acupuncture and herbal treatments. Both techniques are used to harmonize the body, treating everything from tension to digestive disorders. Follow these steps to differentiate between traditional and classical Chinese medicine.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet access







Understand Classical Chinese Medicine




1


Know that much of the wisdom of classical Chinese medicine has been lost over the centuries. What survived enjoyed a renaissance in the early 20th century, only after traditional Chinese medicine had already been developed.





2


Gain a working knowledge of Chinese history. Much of classical Chinese medicine's ancient knowledge was lost when it was banned during the rise of Confucius, circa the 11th century BCE.





3


Understand the ancient Chinese model of the universe. Based around the theory of Yin and Yang, many classical techniques invoke mystical beliefs to reinvigorate the body with missing energies.





4


Know that classical Chinese medicine relies heavily upon the concept of the five Elements, which are wood, fire, earth, water and metal. A balance of these elements within the body is considered important to good health.





5


Familiarize yourself with classical Chinese medicine's theories of the human body's important channels, vessels, organs and the energies associated with them. Start by visiting the Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine Web site (see Resources below).



Differentiate Traditional and Classical Chinese Medicine




1


Know that classical Chinese medicine wasn't practiced for centuries. Only recently has it enjoyed a renaissance. During its dormancy, what's now known as traditional Chinese medicine developed the techniques in wider use today, including acupuncture and herbal remedies.





2


Learn about acupuncture techniques in common use by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine today. These techniques evolved after classical acupuncture techniques fell out of favor. Classical techniques have been all but lost to history.





3


Visit your local health food store or talk to a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to help you differentiate between the many herbal supplements on the market. Bottled herbal treatments are a modern by-product of the evolution of traditional Chinese medicine. Classical treatments require fresh herbs.





4


Ask your practitioner if he or she uses classical or traditional Chinese medicine techniques. Differentiate between "classical" and "traditional" during your Internet research if you're searching for one discipline over the other.








Tips & Warnings










Consult an expert. A consultation with a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine is relatively inexpensive, and the expert will be able to fill in the gaps of anything you don't fully understand.








Never attempt self-treatment or self-diagnosis of conditions such as recurring pain or high blood pressure using any technique you might encounter during your research. Always consult a knowledgeable practitioner of Chinese medicine before beginning treatment.








Visit a doctor or emergency room immediately if you experience any chest pain.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031540_differentiate-traditional-classical.html

How to Diagnose Using Naturopathy

How to Diagnose Using Naturopathy



Naturopathy is an alternative health science that treats conditions including allergies and chronic pain, using an emphasis on doctor-patient communication and natural, non-invasive remedies. Costs for naturopathic treatments can range from extremely inexpensive to expensive, depending on the nature of the treatment and how often it is required. Licensed naturopathic doctors diagnose ailments using, among other things, a technique that emphasizes the importance of a patient's history.







Things You'll Need:





Access to a naturopathic practitioner




Internet access







Assess Your Condition




1


Define your symptoms. For instance, consider how long you have had recurring headaches, how severe they are and whether or not you experience them in conjunction with other symptoms.





2


Seek possible causes. Naturopathy takes into account the whole patient, including existing health issues, family history, living and working environment and lifestyle. The source of your condition may be internal or external. Learn more about the naturopathic system and how to evaluate your health by reading "Combining Old and New: Naturopathy for the 21st Century" or "Natural Health, Natural Medicine: The Complete Guide to Wellness and Self-Care for Optimum Health" (see Resources below).





3


Determine to the best of your ability whether yours is a short- or long-term condition. Some recurring ailments may be caused by allergic or stress reactions. Read about how to spot and address these health issues using naturopathy at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Web site (see Resources below).





4


Contact a naturopathic doctor to discuss your findings and get or confirm a diagnosis.








Tips & Warnings










Diagnose with your broad health picture in mind. Symptoms such as high blood pressure, insomnia and hives may not be isolated and could indicate a larger or more serious health condition.








Diagnose a nonspecific problem, such as achy muscles or chronic fatigue, by trying alternative therapies to see if your condition responds and improves. Acupuncture, massage or chiropractic care can often heal symptoms brought on by everyday physical and emotional stress.








Breath therapy or light exercise, such as yoga, can improve overall health in the absence of easily definable symptoms.








Self-diagnosis is intended to aid you in communicating with your health care professional. If you experience symptoms that need immediate care, such as shortness of breath or chest tightness, visit an emergency room.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031467_diagnose-using-naturopathy.html