Understanding Natural Health Remedies

Natural health is also known as alternative health. This is any practice that does not fit into the category of mainstream health care. Some examples would include:

• Herbal medicine
• Naturopathy
• Osteopathy
• Chiropractic
• Ancient Chinese Therapies
• Holistic healing

Each of these base their philosophies on different aspects of the body. They focus on one section or area and believe that healing of that area will bring full wellness to the body and soul.

To gain a better sense of natural remedies, one should get a better understanding of what the different forms are and what they encompass. You can do this with a little literary research and a battery of questions aimed at a professional in that field. Having good communication with your personal physician and your alternative therapist will make for a positive experience. To list all the types of alternative medicine choices would take a book but to give a better understanding, here are a few that you may encounter:

• Herbal medicine

This form of alternative medicine practices using herbs and plant products to heal ailments and to maintain physical and mental wellness. Plants and herbs are used in cooking, supplement form, teas, or as a topical ointment. It is always a good idea to inform your herbalist of what you may take for prescriptions so that you do not encounter a reaction. For example, someone who is taking a prescription for high blood pressure may start taking an herbal supplement that claims to do the same (garlic for example), the wrong dosage could lead to dangerously low blood pressure.

• Naturopathy

The practice that activates the body’s natural self-healing capabilities and treats the whole person rather than a specific disorder. Most practitioners’ goals are to accomplish a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease. Some diseases or ailments that have been known to be cured are: digestive disorders, musculoskeletal problems, skin conditions, infections, migraines, female and male reproductive issues, allergies, stress, and sleep difficulties. A patient should have a complete physical from a naturopathic practitioner and research their background like they would a regular medical physician.

• Chiropractic

Many people understand this practice as a practitioner that heals those who may have suffered from back injuries. Why this is true, they offer more in the way of healing. The musculoskeletal system is the main focus and healing that would then, in turn, create healing throughout the body. People visit chiropractors for a variety of disorders, such as headaches, leg pains, or even pains in their torso. Having their body realigned makes them feel less stress which makes them feel better.

• Holistic Healing

This is still a hands-on approach to wellness but it does not start with a system in the body. This alternative medical therapy heals the mind and the soul, which will then help heal the body. This approach will take complete belief because you must channel into the part of the brain that is not skewed by everyday influences. Tapping into this powerful energy source will allow your body to help heal itself and maintain wellness. An example of this therapy would be Reiki. A Reiki master can promote healing in the body by the power of touch. They may lay their hands on a patient’s body and touch on certain points and their positive energy is then transformed to the areas of pain.

Just like with anything in life, having a better understanding of a newer concept will answer questions and doubts, which will allow your mind to grasp and accept new healing concepts. An open mind will be the gateway to endless possibilities to wellness of the body, the mind, and the soul.

Pranic, Tantric and Reiki Are Energy Healing Methods

You have probably come across exotic-sounding terms such as chakra, prana, aura, and tantra in your course of reading books on spirituality, sex, and healing in the New Age literature section of the bookstore. But what do these exotic vocabularies mean?

Are All Energy Healing Methods the Same?

Chakra or energy center is a term used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana” means life energy. “Aura” is another terminology traced to Pranic healing. Aura is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as manifested by energy. Studying the color and thickness of auras give ideas on the state of health of individuals.

Six colors are associated with aura and interpreted into six personalities. These colors are all present in an individual but one or two are more pronounced.

1. Green – ambitious achiever
2. Blue – spiritual peacemaker
3. White – unconventional chameleon
4. Red – activist
5. Orange – creative communicator
6. Violet – psychic

Although Tantra is popularly associated with the peculiar practice of sex and spirituality, it is another method of energy healing. It comes from the word “tan” which means to spread or expand. The concept of connectedness is a recurring theme in Tantric writings on sex and spirituality. As a method of healing, spirituality and sex figure prominently. It is presupposed that the union of man and woman can reach spiritual levels during orgasm, which removes the body and mind off collected impurities. These impurities being negative energies can in turn manifest as physical illnesses.

Unlike Pranic and Tantric healings, which have Hindu origins, Reiki originated from Japan. It is relatively younger than Pranic and Tantric healings having been rediscovered in the early 1900’s. Reiki stands for universal energy, an energy brought forth by higher intelligence. Students of Reiki are taught how to tap this energy to heal physical, emotional, and mental illnesses.

Although Pranic, Tantra, and Reiki are all systems of energy healing, they differ in the type of energy tapped for healing: life energy, sexual energy, and universal energy respectively.

The concepts of the connectedness of mind, body, and spirit; the connection of individuals to all living and nonliving things around them and to the universe; and how energy impacts physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are some of the salient similarities of these three healing methods.

Why Do People Turn to Energy Healing?

Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki are considered alternative methods of healing. In spite of the availability and relative accessibility of modern medicine, how come more and more people are being drawn to them? Here are some possible reasons:

• Energy healing worked where modern medicine failed.

For several reasons both explainable and unexplainable, modern medical treatment failed to heal ailments and conditions in several if not many persons. Research or data may not be able to support this statement. But for the families of the dying as well as for the dying patient, they would take the risk of using alternative methods ranging from herbals and organics, faith healers, witch doctors, and New Age healing techniques just to be get well.

• People perceive modern medicine to be isolating.

Medical treatments are oftentimes focused on the disease and its causative agent, which can make a patient feel isolated and treated like a mere host of the disease. Although recent developments in hospital practice are gradually promoting the holistic treatment of a patient, the perception still persists. Unlike in energy healing, since energy and spirituality are intimately linked, the patient feels that all aspects of his health are being attended to.

• Energy healing is non-obtrusive and natural thus it is safer.

Repeated surgical procedures are physically and emotionally traumatic for most patients. It is but a logical and attractive option to both patient and families to look for less stressful health interventions. Moreover, with the rising popularity of New Age religions, going natural is the way to go.

• Energy healing is a good way of relieving stress.

Meditation is part and parcel of energy healing methods and this is an added come-on for highly stressed people. Moreover, sophisticated equipment is not required thus it becomes all the more convenient for students and future students of energy healing.

The battle between alternative healing and mainstream medicine continues as both present the benefits of their approach. But in the final analysis, what matters is the restoration of good health.