Now that you have an idea of what to look out for, it is time to talk just a little about how you work with your regular doctor and at the same time another practitioner of alternative therapy. The statistics are high (about two-thirds) for the number of people who use alternative therapy and do not report it to their doctors. The main reason they don’t report it is they believe there regular physician will disapprove or even stop treating them. To some degree the patient is right; not all Western physicians believe in or want to work with complimentary medicine. The fact remains, it is in the patient’s best interest to disclose all information to all doctors who are treating them. If you are having difficulty communicating with your health-care providers, whether they are complimentary practitioners or Western medical doctors, here are some tips that might get you started in the right direction.

It doesn’t matter what kind of doctor you are seeing, always tell them everything you are taking, including over-the-counter vitamins, herbs, mineral and nutritional supplements.

If you have been seeing a doctor over a period of time, then discuss with him/her your desire to seek out the advise of a complementary medicine practitioner. Try to stay neutral and don’t assume your doctor will automatically be against the idea. Sometimes they will welcome the opportunity and actually have some names of good practitioners in the area.

If you are considering a new medical therapy, take the information you have to your doctor and listen to what he has to say about it before making your final decision.

If for some reason your doctor is negative about you taking a certain medicine, then ask him/her to explain to you why they are against it. Most of the time they will also have information on that particular medicine that they can share with you and help you make up your mind about trying it.

If you decide to go to both your regular doctor and seek the help of a complimentary practitioner, you should expect the same cooperation from the complimentary practitioners as you would your regular doctor. They both must work together and with you to develop the best treatment program.

This should give you some ideas about how to work with a complimentary practitioner as well as your regular doctor. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the different kind of practitioners and what they do. Open up the lines of communication with your own doctor and together explore all the possibilities for treatment. You might just find a magic combination that works for you.

For the most part these kinds of therapies seemed to be the only ones doctors relied upon for symptom relief. This approach has proven beneficial for many thousands of people for decades, but there have been a number of people who, for one reason or another, cannot take medicine or utilize these other forms of therapy. This other sector of people with arthritis has looked beyond what we call conventional therapy and has explored the world of alternative therapies. In the last few years more and more attention is being focused on alternative therapies. Part of the reason for the increased interest is people who have arthritis are not realizing the results they want from the conventional forms of therapy. As patients assume more responsibility for their own healthcare, they are looking beyond conventional treatments and have a desire to incorporate all kinds of therapy into their treatment program. In this article I hope to help you understand some of these alternative treatments and how you can go about deciding whether they are something you want to add to your treatment program.

Alternative Medicine: Refers to medical practices or remedies used in place of mainstream Western medicine.

Complementary Medicine: These are therapies that are used along with or in support of mainstream Western medicine.

Western Medicine, Allopathic Medicine: Medical treatments and therapies — drugs or otherwise — accepted by U.S. mainstream medicine, taught in medical schools, prescribed by doctors and used in hospitals.

Holistic Medicine: Refers to a way of treating the patient, taking into consideration their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health when designing or planning a person’s healing process.

Integrative Medicine: This is an approach that integrates complimentary therapies into Western medical practice to individualize a person’s treatment plan.

Preventive Medicine: This medical practice focuses on educating and treating a patient to help prevent health problems from occurring, rather than treat the problem once it develops.

Unconventional Medicine: This form of therapy is described as being any treatment or therapy — drugs or otherwise — that does not fall within the conventional or Western medicine category.

One other topic, the dangers of using alternative therapy, is also important to know before we get into the specific alternative therapies. Some patients get irritated at their healthcare providers when they seem not to be at all interested in hearing about alternative therapies. As a patient, and one who likes to be the center of his/her own care, it is important that doctors keep an open mind and try to help that person understand why or why not to incorporate alternative therapies into their existing treatment plan. If a physician is not willing to do that, many times the patient will go out on their own and start using alternative therapies without disclosing that to his/her doctor. This can be a very dangerous approach to treatment, especially if the person is taking prescribed medication along with the alternative therapy. If you are one of those people who fall into this category then please read this next paragraph carefully.

There are many danger signals that all of us should be aware of when deciding whether a therapy, especially medical, is appropriate for us. Here are some claims we should question:

A salesman or practitioner who cannot disclose the secret way the treatment works. If it had a scientific base, then the information would be available to the scientific community for review and evaluation.

The claim of a cure or a miraculous breakthrough without scientific data to back it up is always something to be cautious about. Big discoveries are few in number. Most of the time when we do have one, a scientist is very cautious about claiming it as a cure.

If the only way you have heard about the treatment is on an infomercial, on the back page of magazine, over the phone or by direct mail, this should raise some question in your mind. Usually treatments that have been researched are identified in medical journals or other reputable publications.

When the only proof you have that a product works is from a number of other peoples’ statements or testimonials. A few of the people interviewed may have benefited from the product, but many may have been paid a sum of money for giving a positive testimonial. Often people giving a statement are identified only by their initials or first name, which should raise some suspicion.

If you are already taking a prescribed medication and a practitioner tells you to stop all your prescribed medication and start taking this alternative therapy, this should bring up a red flag in your mind. You should always discuss with your prescribing doctor your desire to stop or change your medication. Stopping some medications abruptly can be very dangerous to your health.

Another situation that should raise suspicion is if a practitioner tells you to severely restrict your diet. This is not merely lowering your caloric level, but eliminating whole food groups or fasting for long periods of time. If you believe that certain food groups are creating your problem the best person to contact is a registered dietitian. They can help with regulation of your dietary needs.

This one is commonly used in magazines. You need to send in your money and then they will send out the product. Many times it will be a situation where they will automatically keep sending it to you each month until you notify them to stop. You get started on this plan and they make it hard for you to cancel. Also, there is no way to monitor whether this product is helping you or what it is doing to or for you.

The provider of whatever substance you are trying should be able to provide you with some proof of why their product does what they say it does. If they cannot sight any scientific studies or other reputable means of proof that the product will do what they claim, then you should be suspicious.

The last one is not heard of too often, but it is when the prescribing practitioner tells the patient that there isn’t a need to tell the regular physician about this new treatment. Most reputable practitioners will welcome the opportunity to work right along side with a person’s regular physician.

… see Part 2

Praised throughout history for its reputed powers of longevity and immortality, sage was so highly valued by the Chinese in the 17th century that Dutch merchants would trade one pound of sage leaves for four pounds of Chinese tea. There is a saying that sage grows according to the wealth of the family who own the land and another that it only prospers where the wife rules. Sage planted with rue was thought to keep toads away. In French, sage means “wise,” stemming from the belief that it strengthens the memory and probably the fosters the phrase, “giving sage advice.”

The name Salvia comes from the Latin word salvere , which means, “to be in good health.” Sage is a great remedy for colds as a surprisingly delicious hot tea, and combined with a little cider vinegar, it makes an excellent gargle for sore throats, laryngitis and tonsillitis. But just when you think you’ve got a miracle cure, be warned that drinking the tea for more than a week or two at a time can cause potentially toxic effects because of its strong antiseptic properties.

Often overlooked and undervalued as a landscape plant, sage is a handsome aromatic shrub, growing from 1-2 feet in height. It’s part of a large family with over 800 species around the world and is grown as an annual, biennial or perennial according to location. In most areas, sage is a hardy perennial. It typically remains evergreen, with downy leaves in various colors of a shape described by the Greeks as a “camel’s tongue.” Popular with bees, it grows in full sun and likes well-drained, alkaline soil. Cut it back after flowering and replace every four to five years. Prune frequently to keep it bushy.

For a cream to soothe cold sores and chapped lips, mix two tablespoons each finely chopped fresh sage and sweet violet leaves in four tablespoons of almond oil in a small jar. Leave in a warm place for about a month, shaking daily. Strain into a bowl and add four tablespoons each of almond oil and beeswax that have been melted together. Beat until cool, then store in an airtight jar in a cool place. Apply twice a day or as required.

Long before there was Mum and Secret, sage was a powerful deodorant, and even today, sage water should be in everyone’s collection of toiletries. Simmer a good-sized sprig of sage in a pint of distilled water for 10 minutes, strain into a spray bottle and voila! You have great daily underarm protection. Use in facial steams and as a rinse to condition and darken hair. Put dried leaves among linen to discourage insects, and boil in water to disinfect a room. Sage smoke deodorizes animal and cooking smells and is used by Native Americans in smudge sticks to eliminate bad spirits.

This powerful healing plant is also a popular culinary herb, best used alone. One chef described it as an “easily offended and capricious prima donna…who likes to have the stage to itself.” Scatter the flower in salads, or mix the leaf with onion for a poultry stuffing. Cook with meats like pork, duck and sausage as a valuable aid to digesting rich, fatty foods. It’s also delicious with fish, cheese, pasta, rice and in vinegars. To preserve, dry leaves slowly for best flavor.

Sage Leaf Fritters

20-30 sage leaves, oil for deep-frying.
Batter:? cup all purpose flour, 4 tbsp. warm water, pinch of salt, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 large egg white.
Instructions:Carefully rinse and dry herb leaves. For the batter, mix the flour and salt together in a bowl. Blend in the oil and water until smooth and creamy. Leave to stand for 1-2 hours in a cool place.
Whisk the egg white until stiff and then fold it carefully into the batter.
Heat the oil until a drop of batter crisps and browns quickly but does not burn. Dip the leaves, one at a time, into the batter. Fry, several at a time, for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
Carefully remove the fritters and drain on paper towels. Keep warm in the oven until all are cooked. Serve immediately.

Sage Butter

1 cup butter at room temperature; 2 garlic cloves or shallots, minced; 6 tbsps. chopped sage; 1 tbsp. lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper. Serve with broiled pork chops or whole baked onions. It also makes a zesty spread for muffins or crackers.

Read more: A Legacy of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

It appears obvious that an additional possible use for the hormone could be anti aging HGH. More and more individuals are obtaining HGH therapy from their physicians. Clinical investigations have shown that injections of HGH bring about an increase in muscle mass. Other claims in favor of the treatment are protection from diseases related to aging, more youthful looking skin, higher energy levels, etc.; but these claims aren’t scientifically proven. The long term effects of HGH hormone therapy are not known by anyone. It is no surprise that there is a heated debate going on between those in favor of HGH and those against anti aging HGH products.

Anti againg HGH injections have a negative aspect, and getting the injection is only the beginning. Utilizing the hormone for this reason is an “off label” application in the United States; this means it hasn’t been approved for that type of use. That could even be against the law in some jurisdictions. Obtaining injections from any person who isn’t a medical doctor is against the law, too. Of course, the injections are quite pricey, putting them beyond the means of all but the very rich. Last but not least, anti aging HGH therapy is linked to some dangerous side effects, especially when the amount of the hormone in the blood goes above what can be obtained in the blood system naturally. Those disadvantages lend much credence to the anti aging anti HGH product debate.

Attempts to bring up the negative side of anti aging HGH therapy have led to clever alteration of the hormone treatment. Most  of the HGH products publicly available now are formulations created to stimulate the pituitary gland to produce more of the hormone. With those products, injections aren’t necessary, overly high levels of HGH in the bloodstream are are not good thing, and the price drops considerably. Although the outcome of this kind of treatment isn’t as intense as the ones from injection, this method is much safer. A lot of those in favor of HGH products have decided this is an acceptable trade off.

Listen to some music. Pick something that gets you moving. This is a good way to change your mood and maybe you will learn some new dance moves.

Take a class or maybe you have a specialty and you can teach one. See if you can help out at the local public school. “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

Take a yoga class or self-defense class. It is a good way to exercise your muscles and keep them toned.

Doing some exercise that isn’t to over exerting is a good way to stay healthy. Just enough exercise to get your circulation moving. Always ask your health care provider before starting any exercise program.

Treat yourself to something that you have wanted like that fabulous sweater or as small as some new incenses and candles.

Spend an afternoon with your parents or grandparents they always enjoy your time with them.

Change your day around if you can and go out.

Do something different like going for a walk or seeing a movie. Spend an afternoon in the park reading or people watching maybe you’ll even get some fresh air.

Get some extra beauty rest – take a nap.

We all want to look good and a nap won’t hurt.

Read your favourite book or browse a magazine.

Make some of your favourite sweets and share them with your friends.

Start an online chat so you can share the ups and downs of the day. Go to a spa and treat yourself be pampered with a facial and a massage.

Hire a student to clean up your home, yard or

make plans to redecorate a room or your whole house. With a rainbow of bright new colors and time you can delegate each family member to pick a different theme and room.

Have a long bubble bath or shower just make sure the water isn’t to warm since that can effect circulation and make you weak.

Cook up all the things you like and freeze them as individual meals. When you have days you don’t feel up to cooking, everyone can pick a TV dinner and pop it in the microwave.

The local library is always a good place to go for a couple of hours or spend the afternoon checking out new authors.

You could spend your afternoon just enjoying your favorite hobby or take the time to learn a new one. Go to a museum or an art gallery, call a friend and ask them to go with you.

Spend the afternoon with your kids and play a game or blow some bubbles.

Prayer or meditation is a good way to reflect. We all have things that we are grateful for write them down and save them when you need to remember what you have to be grafeful for.

Write your memoirs or keep a journal. Sometimes these notes will come in handy for doctors’ appointments.

There is always something to be done don’t get stuck in a rut.

If you don’t find anything here that you want to do, spend some time writing a list of your own and then just don’t sit there go do it!

Time for a Progress Check!

Tip of the Week: When embarking on a program for change, periodically assess your progress. If you are on track and pleased with your progression, continue with your present program and schedule progress checks as needed. If, however, you have been unable to make any progress toward your goal, try to decipher the reason for your lack of progress. Be honest with yourself. Is there a lack of commitment on your part? Have you over-extended yourself—too many commitments and too little time? Did you set an unrealistic goal?

Once you’ve determined the reason for your lack of progress, evaluate whether the roadblock can be overcome at this time or whether your original goal needs to be altered. Then revise your plan as needed and schedule future progress checks.

How to Incorporate This Tip Into Your Lifestyle: Many of us find that when we are ready to make changes in our lives, we want to seize the moment—do it all and all at once! Unfortunately, most of us have also have experienced that predicable cycle where unrealistic expectations lead to subsequent burnout.

Pacing the change process and setting realistic goals couple to provide a solid foundation for successful change. The periodic progress checks help keep us on track and stave off burnout or indifference.

If change is difficult for you (and it is for most of us) it might be helpful to identify a list of personal rewards to motivate you to continue in pursuit of your goal. Whether your motivation is a luxurious massage, a new tennis racket, extra hours spent reading, perusing the Internet, or buying a new pair of shoes (each of us is energized by different things) use these rewards to acknowledge your progress!

. . . . .

It’s Spring—a time for fresh beginnings, re-dedication, and re-commitment!

The mission of this site is to educate visitors in the realm of life extension and enhancement. Those who have been visiting this site since its introduction will recall the challenge posed to you in the first article—to commit to change but to do so at a gradual and steady pace. To each of you who accepted the challenge, it’s time for a progress check.

Why is a progress check necessary? It’s been three months since the inception of this site, and many experts suggest that 8 weeks is the magic number needed for integrating change into one’s life. By now many of you who have been working steadily on your goal should see some evidence that the desired change is either already ingrained, or is well on the way to becoming enmeshed into your daily routine.

If your progress has been static, refer to the suggestions listed above in “How to Incorporate This Tip Into Your Lifestyle”. If commitment is standing in the way of your success in reaching this goal, perhaps it’s not the goal that’s the issue—perhaps it’s commitment itself. (If so, that’s a whole other issue beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that there are numerous resources available to help deal with commitment issues.)

If it’s a matter of poor timing—you’re not motivated to make this change. . . or perhaps you already have too much on your plate, then postponement is an option. However, before you decide to postpone, you might find it advantageous to reconsider your options. How important is your health to you? Where does it rank on your list of priorities? Only you can make that determination for yourself!

Another roadblock, one of the most common that we encounter, is unrealistic goal setting. When we set goals for ourselves that are almost impossible to reach (due to time constraints, etc.) we set ourselves up for failure. Smaller, realistic goals may seem almost insignificant when measured against loftier ones; however, 3 months down the road, the realistic goal is more likely to have been met while the loftier ones have long been forgotten! (Moral of the story—a small step forward is better than no step at all!)

If you’ve made progress on your goal—congratulations! If this new change has become a permanent part of your life, some of you might want to move on to another goal. Others might decide to take a well-deserved break prior to tackling another goal. Whatever you decide, be sure to reward yourself for a job well done.

For those of you whose progress is less than you had hoped, identify that roadblock. Then do what you can to either remove it or get past it. Change is within your reach, but the path might not be as direct as you had hoped. Hang in there. We wish you well.

There are various treatments available for tapeworm infestation from prescription medications to alternative medicine. These treatments, nevertheless, should not be used at the same time as another, as there could be an interaction.

Prescription Medication

Tapeworms can be eliminated effectively from people when they take prescription medications. Due to variations in treatment, based on tapeworm species, there is no availability of over-the-counter drugs. Medication is taken by mouth, since it is necessary to reach the intestine where the tapeworm is. These medications are intended to eliminate the protecting shell on the tapeworm’s body, letting it be digested in the intestine, and then removing it. The one drawback to this method is that it does not destroy the larvae or eggs, only fully grown worms. Someone might end up getting infected again when the next round of eggs hatch.

It necessary to realize that tapeworms are not a bacteria, so antibiotics won’t help. Antibiotics can do more damage than good by weakening the presence of benevolent bacteria of the intestine, which is essential in aiding the immune system’s ability to fight infections.

Diet Changes

A strict diet should only be used when undergoing other treatment methods since it is tricky, although it may keep a tapeworm from receiving the nutrition it requires to live. Raw carrots and pumpkin seeds should be eaten as much as possible with your meals. These foods work against parasites and stop the tapeworm from obtaining nutrients, plus it injures the worm’s outer skin and makes it weak.

Additionally, leafy green vegetables help. Eliminate all refined sugars, flour as well as junk foods totally, since tapeworms flourish on these. Use caution when you eat fruits since they have natural sugars that the tapeworm can feed on. Also, stay away from iced beverages and chilled foods since the coldness will result in your intestines contracting, causing discomfort and holding onto the toxins.

Herbal Remedies

Various herbs can remove tapeworms out of your body. Wormwood is the most well-known of these, and gets its name from its ability to battle infestations from worms. The typical procedure for using wormwood consists of tinctures, or the leaves can be brewed to make a tea. For brewing, boil one cup of water and add two tablespoons of fresh or one tablespoon of dry wormwood. Allow it to sit for about five to ten minutes. You may also want to consider mixing in other herbs, such as cinnamon or ginger to add flavor.

Additional herbs like garlic, oregano, black walnut, thyme, cloves, as well as grapefruit seed might also be tried. These herbs will assist the body in ridding itself of the worms, larvae, and eggs when they are eaten together. Taking these herbs together will assist the body in eliminating the worms, larvae, and eggs.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy could be used for specific tapeworms, like the those originating from beef or pork. Sabadilla is a remedy for tapeworms when there is constant itching, you feel nauseous, vomit, or delirious from hallucinations and imaginary problems. Granatum gets rid of tapeworms also when your stomach hurts, and Kuosso is used when your pulse is slow and irregular. There are other homeopathic formulas that may treat tapeworms, however, a thorough examination by a homeopath is essential to properly utilize this method.

Operation

An operation for tapeworms is seldom done, although, in extreme situations it might be required. A tapeworm could expand enough so that the size might hurt organs or obstruct the intestines. This may cause serious complications and prove to be deadly. For many doctors, surgery is only an absolute last resort.

In Conclusion

Mostly, tapeworms aren’t deadly or harmful. When noticed, they can be taken care of at home without difficulty. But, don’t expect all home treatments to be completely effective, specifically for children. Always be certain the infestation is eliminated, either by going to see a doctor, or going to see a licensed naturopath.

The modern fast-food diet of many people these days can contribute to the formation of toxins in the digestive tract. One of the main causes of arthritis, or rheumatism, is an excessive accumulation of waste products in the affected tissue. An unbalanced diet, that is, eating foods that are wrong for your body on a regular, long-term basis, or eating foods that are devitalized, contribute greatly toward arthritic symptoms.

It is wise to create a daily diet of foods that are as fresh and as unprocessed as possible. Foods that cause an acidic reaction should be avoided, and foods that cause subtle allergic reactions or digestive problems.

Using appropriate herbs, and using a combination of other holistic approaches to aid the body, it is possible to cleanse the whole system and rid the source of arthritis or rheumatism. This degenerative process took a long time to create; therefore the treatment also takes time.

Even though many types of therapy have been used to “cure” arthritis, this cure has not yet been found. There are numerous holistic approaches to assisting the body with increasing the range of motion in particular joints affected with arthritis and lessening the pain. A wholesome diet, with adequate exercise and massage are of course very important, but here we shall concentrate on some excellent herbal approaches that can be used in conjunction to the other health giving applications.

An excess of acids in the system should be neutralized, as an acidic body also contributes greatly to the formation of an arthritic condition in the joints. Parsley is recommended in a small amount on a daily basis. Firmly pack one cup of both the stems and leaves into a glass bowl, pour one quart of boiling spring water over this, and allow to steep 15 minutes. One-quarter cup of this daily is said to be quite beneficial for arthritis.

Fresh garlic sautйed with one’s daily lunch, or dinner is also very helpful with arthritic conditions.

Amazing results have been noted also with the addition of comfrey. Either sipped as a tea in small amounts, or adding a small amount of raw comfrey to a salad.

Rosemary leaves are also known to be highly beneficial for arthritis. Make a mild tea from rosemary leaves and drink it hot each morning, and a little bit more in the evening.

Rheumatic diseases can also benefit from Mexican wild yam, which yields cortisone, diosgenin and other steroids, and hormones, which can be used in treating arthritis.

An abundance of saliclic acid is contained in wintergreen leaves. Saliclic acid is one of the main ingredients in today’s aspirin. Aspirin is widely prescribed by some doctors for arthritic pain.

Wintergreen may be taken in the oil form by adding only two to four drops of wintergreen oil to a glass of spring water, or added to a teaspoonful of honey. This formula may be taken a couple times per day.

A few herbal combination formulas that are known to be quite beneficial, used in conjunction with a balanced diet are:

Herbal Tea # 1     Parts of the whole
Yarrow     1
Celery Seed     1
Meadow Sweet     1
Bog Bean     2
Drink this tea two to three times per day for weeks at a time.

Herbal Tea # 2     Parts of the whole
Black Cohosh     1
Wintergreen Leaves     1
Wahoo Bark     1
Rocky Mountain Grape Root     1
If the pain is to the extreme as to interfere with one’s sleep a good and safe formula which, is non habit forming, in order to get a good rest is:

Herbal Tea # 3     Parts of the whole
Velerian     2
Passion Flower     1
Kava Kava     1
Skull Cap     2
Drink a half-cup a half hour prior going to bed.

There are also a number of external remedies that can eliminate toxins and reduce the inflammation, assisting in easing the pain, while also stimulating circulation in the affected area. A very good liniment that has a stimulating and warming effect is mixing equal amounts of glycerin with cayenne tincture. Rub this liniment into the muscles or joints. Be careful that this mixture does not get into areas of broken skin, or on the face.

Cayenne is excellent as a stimulant for the circulation in the limbs.

St. John’s Wort oil may also be rubbed on the arthritic areas that are experiencing pain.

Less severe stains and discolorations can be treated with at-home teeth whitening methods like bleaching solutions, teeth whitening toothpaste or tooth whitening strips. These are reasonably priced ways to treat yellow teeth. Particularly troublesome stains, though, would be best treated by a dentist with advanced methods like bleaching gels and laser treatments. Treatments at home are cheaper and convenient.

see more at Teeth Bleaching Planet