Alternative medicine & healing therapies Articles

Promoted as an alleged cure-all for decades, colloidal silver has been referred to as both a homeopathic remedy and a dietary supplement. But what is it exactly, and how could it possibly be so good at curing so many illnesses and diseases?

Curcumin, the orange antioxidant found in the curry spice turmeric, is often attributed with almost-mystical powers. The truth is, curcumin isn't a cure-all, but it can be very helpful in many situations.

One of the most useful herbs in everyone's natural medicine cabinet is Siberian ginseng, known in the USA as eleuthero. Not exactly an immune "stimulant", Siberian ginseng can be just what your body needs to beat infections and fight fatigue.

Craniosacral therapy, the manipulation of bones of the skull to influence muscle activies in other parts of the body, has been around for 40 years. While many claims for the method are exaggerated, there are some situations in which it clearly works.

The placebo effect is famous. But how effective is it, exactly — and does it work if you know you're taking a placebo? What about if you don't believe in it? Is it effective on skeptics?

Chiropractic began as a practice of mystical medical principles that early chiropractors claimed could cure any disease. In modern times, limited applications of chiropractic method not only actualy work, but work better than medical alternatives.

Manuka honey, gathered from groves of manuka trees growing naturally on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, is known around the world for its amazing power in promoting healing of skin diseases.

I am bombarded regularly with statements such as, “I bought a scented candle and it did nothing for me.” Or, “I bought brand X aromatherapy body wash and I didn’t feel any different.” “How come aromatherapy doesn’t work on me?”

Last year, on a 15-mile hike for which I had not packed enough water to deal with summer heat, I became dehydrated and had a heart attack. Well-meaning friends later urged me to take herbs, some of which would have caused another attack.

The phrase "Not everything that shines is gold" also applies to scientific research, unfortunately. People believe that all scientific knowledge is true, but scientific fraud exists and it is more common than you would imagine.