Nutrition for Therapy

Nutrition for Therapy

Natural cures refers to a type of therapy involving the use of foods or products containing naturally-sourced ingredients that people buy, harvest or create for themselves. Generally, the purpose of using natural cures is to heal or mitigate symptoms of a wide range of health conditions. Please note that the term ‘natural cures’ can be misleading, inasmuch as many natural products are not able to cure health conditions.

With that said, many people resort to natural cures and natural remedies as a self-help alternative to recognized medical practices. Natural cures typically include a gentle or gradual form of treatment for a variety of ailments and illnesses. Natural cures, usually containing plant-based ingredients, are found in various cultures from around the world. Many natural cures have been passed down from generation to generation by laypeople, and many cultures have a history that describes natural medicine men and women - from the so-called witches of Western Europe who used herbal remedies to treat illnesses and injuries, to the Australian Aborigines who still practice natural medicine to this day.

 

While the ability of natural cures to actually cure illnesses and diseases may be questionable in some cases, many natural cures and remedies do help alleviate certain conditions. This is true particularly when dealing with less-serious conditions such as coughs, colds and flu, minor cuts and wounds, gum disease, headaches and digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or stomach upset. With cold and flu symptoms, any palliative measures that help the person to ease suffering are welcomed by the patient, regardless of whether these are natural cures or prescribed.

What are natural cures?

Natural cures are usually plant-based preparations. Some examples of natural cures include:

  • Aromatherapy essential oils
  • Flower essence therapies
  • Herbal remedies
  • Homeopathic remedies

Aromatherapy essential oils

Aromatherapy essential oils are oils that contain health-promoting properties, which are extracted from the leaves, seeds, fruit, flowers, bark and roots of plants. Essential oils are used as natural cures in a number of ways. These are to be applied externally. Essential oils should never be taken internally. The oils and the aromas from them can help to treat a whole range of physical ailments and mental health conditions.

Physical conditions that may benefit from the external use of essential oils as natural cures include coughs, headaches, toothache and insomnia. Essential oils can also help to lift the spirits and improve the mood of people that suffer from depression, stress or anxiety.

Essential oils can be useful in first aid treatment, and certain oils have proven to be natural cures for cuts, grazes, minor burns or scalds, bee stings and coughs.

Flower essence remedies

Flower essence remedies are natural cures that are made from the petals of flowers diluted in a liquid base. The two best-known types of flower remedy are Bach Flower Remedies and Australian Bush Flower Remedies.

Bach Flower Remedies were developed by an English homeopath called Edward Bach in the 1930s. The flowers used in Bach Flower Remedies are picked at sunrise, and then placed in water and left in sunlight for 24 hours. An Australian naturopath and homeopath, Ian White, developed Australian Bush Flower Remedies more recently. His remedies are based on the Bach system but also incorporate Aboriginal healing traditions. Australian Bush Flower Remedies are created using the wide range of flora available on the Australian continent.

Flower-based remedies are very gentle types of natural cures, and are thought to work best on an emotional and spiritual level. For this reason, these remedies have gained popularity with people that experience depression, stress or anxiety-related disorders.

Herbal remedies

Humans have turned to the plant world for medicinal and natural cures healing purposes since time began, and most cultures have some kind of history relating to the use of plants as natural cures and pain mitigators. Herbal remedies have been used to treat a number of conditions and studies suggest that certain herbs may help to improve conditions such as eczema, asthma, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, and the symptoms of menopause, migraine headaches and many more painful conditions.

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies are dilutions that are made from herbs, naturally- occurring minerals and animal products. The premise of homeopathic treatment is that “like cures like,” so in homeopathy a small amount of a substance is mixed into a diluted dosage of the substance. Commonly, this substance is known to cause similar adverse symptoms to the ones a person is presently experiencing. The diluted substance is then introduced into the body via the homeopathic remedy, to trigger the body’s natural suppressive capabilities to activate and rid the body of the toxicity or debilitating condition.

Homeopathic remedies usually come in pill, powder or granular form and are dissolved in the mouth. These compounds or substances also may be mixed into a cream or ointment that are to be applied externally. As a homeopathic remedy, natural cures may be able to help alleviate a wide range of symptoms found with chronic health conditions such as allergies, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome and migraine headaches.

Before using natural cures, consult with your treating physician

Always consult your treating doctor before taking any products that are labeled as natural cures. Many natural cures may be ineffective to reduce symptoms for your condition. In fact, some can even be harmful to you. Some substances used in natural cures are not suitable for people that are taking certain prescribed medications certain health conditions, and may neutralize the medicinal effects of the prescription medication. When natural cures are being considered, always discuss your plans with your medical doctor before starting the use of these plant products and possibly worsening your medical problems.

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