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Alternative therapies

Alternative medicine

indigenous or folk medicine

KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS DEVELOPED OVER GENERATIONS WITHIN VARIOUS SOCIETIES BEFORE THE ERA OF MODERN MEDICINE

WHEN ADOPTED OUTSIDE OF ITS TRADITIONAL CULTURE, TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IS OFTEN CALLED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE.

" Health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being

The WHO also notes,

"inappropriate use of alternative medicines or practices can have negative or dangerous effects"

"further research is needed to ascertain the efficacy and safety"

Core disciplines which study traditional medicine include

ethno botany.

herbalism,

ethno medicine

Medical anthropology

Practices known as TRADITIONAL MEDICINES include

Ayurveda Siddha medicine

Unani

IraniIslamic medicine

traditional Chinese medicine

traditional Korean medicine

acupuncture

traditional African medicine

Homeopathy complementary discipline based on law of similar, which involves the administration of ultra, dilute medicines prepared according to methods in homeopathic pharmacopoeias.

Development of homeopathy German physician Samuel Hahnemann.

Principle of modern homeopathy

Like cures like Minimal dose Single remedy

Minimal dose

one must seek medicine that can excite similar symptoms in the healthy human body. This idea is often translated as “let like be treated with like”e.g. coffee(from the green coffee bean)to treat insomnia.

• Like cures like

He achieved his aim and found that as the remedies became more dilute they became more potent therapeutically .He called this process “potentiation”.

one should use single remedy to treat a single condition.

e.g. Belladonna and Chamomile (for teething).

Single remedy

Herbalism study and use of medicinal properties of plants.

scope of herbal medicine is sometimes extended to include fungal and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.

12,000 SUCH COMPOUNDS ISOLATED

LESS THAN 10% OF THE TOTAL CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN PLANTS MEDIATE THEIR EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY THROUGH PROCESSES IDENTICAL TO THOSE ALREADY WELL UNDERSTOOD FOR THE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN CONVENTIONAL DRUGS; THUS

This enables herbal medicines to be as effective as conventional medicines, but also gives them the same potential to cause harmful side effects.

Plants synthesize chemical compounds

biological functions defend against attack from predators

herbal medicines do not differ greatly from conventional drugs in terms of how they work.

METHODS OF USING PLANTS AS MEDICINE

1) magical/shamanic— The practitioner is regarded as endowed with gifts or powers that allow him/her to use herbs in a way that is hidden from the average person, and the herbs are said to affect the spirit or soul of the person.

2. The energetic —\. Herbs are regarded as having actions in terms of their energies and affecting the energies of the body. The practitioner may have extensive training, and ideally be sensitive to energy, but need not have supernatural powers.

3. The functional dynamic —. Herbs have a functional action, which is not necessarily linked to a physical compound, although often to a physiological function, but there is no explicit recourse to concepts involving energy.

4. The chemical —Modern practitioners - called Phytotherapists - attempt to explain herb actions in terms of their chemical constituents. It is generally assumed that the specific combinations of secondary metabolites in the plants are responsible for the activity claimed or demonstrated, a concept called synergy.

Uses: Ethnobotany (the study of

traditional human uses of plants) is recognized as an effective way to discover future medicines.

Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including aspirin, digitalis, quinine, and opium.

The bark of willow trees contains large amounts of salicylic acid, which is the active metabolite of aspirin. Willow bark has been used for millennia as an effective pain reliever and fever reducer.

• more affordable than purchasing expensive modern pharmaceuticals.

(WHO) estimates that 80 percent of population of some Asian and African countries presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care.

The bark of the cinchona tree contains quinine, which today is a widely prescribed treatment for malaria, especially in countries that cannot afford to purchase the more expensive anti-malarial drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry

Acupuncturetechnique involving the insertion of fine needles in to the skin at selected points over the body.

HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE

It is attributed to Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. It continued to flourish in China. Acupuncture was brought to the west in 1683 by doctor Willen. It was widely practiced in France in late 18 century by Dr Berlioz .It is now among the best known complementary therapies in the UK.

Therapy of acupuncture

Modern acupuncturists used sterile disposable of narrow bore, about 3cm long.

The patient is usually treated lying down to minimize any tendency to faint.

As 15-20 needles may be inserted superficially at particular point. Then gently introducing the needles a little more deeply into the muscle rotating them b/w finger and thumb.

Usually 10-20 sessions constitute single course of treatment.

Acupuncture point selection may vary at each treatment depending on the patient’s response.

ContraindicationsAcupuncture is contraindicated or must be used with extreme care in patients who

Have a tendency to bleed extensively.

Have a pacemaker , it might be affected by the electrical stimulation of acupuncture needles

Precautions Patients should lie down during

treatment. Disposable sterile needles should

be used.

Patients should be carefully observed for excessive bleeding. Uses

It is used in the treatment of intractable pain

It is also used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain arthritis, gastrointestinal problems or nausea.

Acupressure

form of acupuncture in which fingers thumbs and elbows are used to stimulate the body’s acupuncture points.

USES It releases muscular

tension.

This helps to promote both physical calmness and mental alertness.

PRECAUTIONS:• Acupressure should not be applied to an open wound or to a place where there is inflammation.

• Areas of scar tissues, boils, blisters, rashes should also be avoided.

Ayurveda

Safety concerns have been raised about Ayurveda; for instance, two U.S. studies found that about 20 percent of Ayurvedic US and Indian-manufactured patent medicines sold via internet contained toxic levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic.

system of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent ..

Other concerns include the use of herbs containing toxic compounds and the lack of quality control in Ayurvedic facilities.

In classical SANSKRIT literature, Ayurveda was called "THE SCIENCE OF EIGHT COMPONENTS". (general medicine) -: "cure of diseases affecting the body“

(pediatrics) "treatment of children“

Surgery, "removal of any substance which has entered the body (as extraction of darts, of splinters, etc.)“

(Ophthalmology/ "cure of diseases of the eye or ear etc. by sharp instruments".

(demonology / "treatment of mental diseases supposed to be produced by past experiences“

(toxicology) "doctrine of antidotes“

Aromatherapy

The word ‘aromatherapy’ entered English language in the early 1980s to describe the use of fragrant essential oils to alter or effect a person’s mood or behavior

Development of aromatherapy

It was developed by French chemist RENE MAURICE considered as the founder of modern aromatherapy

Theory

TWO MECHANISM OF ACTIONS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED

OLFACTORY STIMULATION

DERMAL ACTION

Aromatherapy is thought to work at physiological and cellular level.

Olfactory stimulation

the sense of smell being the most immediate of our senses .olfactory stimulant entre the nose, reaching the olfactory bulb. Learning processes are thought to be responsible for memories evoked by various different odors

Dermal actiondirect physiological action on body, with active compounds being absorbed into bloodstreamthrough the skin. Absorption may be enhanced by warming the skin or message

Production of aromatherapy oils

Essential oils are fragrant and highly volatile aromatic compounds generated by plants through photosynthesis. They are used in

Food as flavoring agent

Toiletries e.g. cosmetics

Orthodox medicine. e.g. clove oil for toothache

Aromatherapy in practice

The term aromatherapy is commonly applied both to treating ill health(i.e. therapy) and cosmetic use, Which relay on fragranceAromatherapy practitioners claim to be help to a wide range of conditions including eczema , asthma, insomnia and headaches.

Aromatherapy is enhanced feel good factor, which self-esteem, following a message or bath with essential oils

Route s of administration

Topically

internally by mouth

externally by inhalation

Topically:The use of aromatherapy oils contained in a vegetable carrier oil by skin message is the most frequent route of administration e .g Aroma therapists dilute essential oils with carrier oils such as sweet almond ,walnut etc.

Internally by mouth:

Some essential oils are used as orthodox medicines and which are given orally e. g the oral use of peppermint oil and component of essential oils such as pinene ,limonene, etc.

There are several commercially available inhalation product e.g. essential oils in their formulation (vicks) as well as standard inhalation of camphor and menthol BP.

• Externally by inhalation:

APPLICATIONS:

Colds eucalyptus, orange, teaCoughs eucalyptus, lavenderInfluenza eucalyptus, lavenderNausea lavender, mintSore throat lavender, sandalwoodMigraine lavender, Burns eucalyptus, lavender

Essential oils used to treat conditions

Aromatherapy reduced the need for pain relief during labour

Aromatherapy has been used by some patients suffering from epilepsy as a mean of controlling their seizures.

The use of aromatherapy during childbirth is becoming an increasingly popular care option with mothers.

Aromatherapy is effective in reducing maternal anxiety

Aromatherapy in pharmacy

oils indicationsClove As antiseptic and tooth oil

Ginger in cold/flue, stomach problemsLemon as antiseptic, sore throatPeppermint in anxiety, insect repellantTea tree antibacterial, fungal thrushEucalyptus Antiseptic, antiviral Sandalwood urinary, throat, skin problems

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