We all live in a contaminated world and most of us realize we could benefit from some full body detoxification. But how many of us actually have the time to do 7 day juice fasts, the money to spend on clove capsules, dandelion root, black walnut tinctures, coffee enemas, and aged garlic pills, or the energy to deal with feeling horrible for 3 days straight from detoxing too fast? The easiest, cheapest, and safest way to detox is by assisting your body in its natural detoxification processes. Below are the 5 most effective ways to accomplish this goal.

1. Increase your Selenium
Chronic exposure to environmental toxins, including chemotherapy drugs, radiation and other toxic medicines, increases the requirement for selenium. Many of the benefits of selenium are related to its role in the production of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for detoxification in the body and each molecule of this enzyme contains 4 atoms of selenium. Selenium supplementation has been found to protect the liver in people with alcoholic cirrhosis. Smokers, in particular, have depleted selenium levels and should make every attempt to increase the selenium in their diet. Foods sources of selenium are the safest and most easily utilized by your body. These include:brazil nuts, broccoli, brown rice, chicken, dairy products, garlic, onions, molasses, seafood, vegetables and whole grains.

2. Add some Zinc
Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals are believed to contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems including heart disease and cancer. Zinc can protect your body from the harmful effects of toxins by 3 separate mechanisms: -The antioxidant properties of zinc can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

• Zinc is a constituent of the important antioxidant enzyme Superoxide Dismutase.
• Zinc is needed for the proper absorption of Vitamin E (yet another important antioxidant).
• Food sources include: egg yolks, fish, lamb, legumes, mushrooms, pecans, oysters, poultry, soybeans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, parsley, and kelp.

3. Go natural
Every day we choose to introduce toxic chemicals and compounds into our bodies, our cleaning supplies, lotions and shampoos, fruits and vegetables, even our medicines. Small changes in your shopping list can make a world of difference. As a rule of thumb it’s best to “go natural”. Try using baking soda or vinegar in place of your chemical-laden cleaning supplies. Buy organic produce whenever possible. Beware of your over-the-counter medications. Many contain unhealthy fillers, binders and flowing agents. Many antacids contain toxic aluminum. Aspirin and Ibuprofen can stress the kidneys. The absolute safest over-the-counter medications are homeopathic medicines. There are many versions of homeopathic medicines available, the least toxic of which are water-based homeopathics rather than lactose tablet or alcohol-based forms. Go to your local healthfood store or shop on the internet to stock your medicine cabinet with non-toxic homeopathic alternatives.

4. Stay hydrated
The body’s water supply is involved in nearly every bodily process, including digestion, absorption, circulation, excretion, body temperature, and nutrient transport. Help your body detox naturally by drinking enough water to allow optimal functioning of all these bodily processes. Drink at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day. Caffeine is a diuretic so if you are a moderate to heavy coffee or tea drinker you should match each cup of coffee or tea with a glass of water. If you are drinking tap water make sure to filter it. If you purchase your water then steam-distilled is best.

5. Detox homeopathically
Many herbs may be effective in detoxification but the risk of side effects and interactions with other medications can make these a dangerous choice. Homeopathic medicines, on the other hand, have never caused side-effects or drug interactions in over 200 years of use. They work by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. Homeopathic medicines are wonderfully inexpensive and easy to use. Many homeopathic products are available for any type of cleansing and detoxification: liver detox, lymph detox, blood & kidney detox, heavy metal detox and more. If you are unsure of what areas need detoxing in your body its best to start with a blood & kidney detox and then move on to a liver detox. If symptoms still remain then begin targeting with homeopathic formulas that address specific causes such as heavy metals, chemotherapy, etc.

Happy Detoxing!

by Nicole Evans
About the Author: Nicole Evans is an alternative medicine researcher/developer turned medical student. She also works with King Bio, a homeopathic company dedicated to empowering people to safely and naturally improve their health. For cutting edge contemporary homeopathic medicines visit: http://www.kingbio.com/naturalmed/index.html

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What is complementary and alternative medicine? Complementary and alternative medicine usually refers to practices that are not integrated into conventional medicine. Treatments in the category of complementary and alternative medicine are constantly changing. Treatments change when studies prove them to be effective or not.

Some of the treatments used in complementary and alternative medicine are:
* Homeopathy * Ayurveda * Acupuncture * Herbs

Are the treatments safe and will they work? Educate yourself before starting any new complementary and alternative medicine treatment, and always tell your doctor which ones you are trying.

The two terms complementary and alternative are often grouped together; however, they are not necessarily the same thing. An example of a complementary treatment would be something used along with the conventional therapies your doctor prescribes. Alternative therapies are generally something used instead of conventional methods. An example of an alternative therapy or treatment might be seeing a homeopath or naturopath instead of your regular doctor.

Some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners use similar principles to what your conventional doctor might do. Others might be quite different. The basic philosophies of
complementary and alternative medicine include:

• Your body heals itself
• Prevention is the most important element
• Learning and healing go together.

The complementary and alternative medicine practitioner sees himself or herself as a teacher and mentor to guide you. You are the one who does the healing. There are five broad categories the National Institute of Health uses for classification of therapies used by complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, they are:
* Healing Systems * Mind-Body Connections * Dietary Supplements and Herbs * Manipulation and Touch * Energy Therapies

Contrary to what you might think, most doctors are not opposed to complementary and alternative medicine. About half the doctors in the United States refer people to complementary and alternative practitioners.On the dark side is that some alternative medicine practitioners make exaggerated claims about curing disease. They may ask you to forsake treatment from your conventional doctor to use their unproven treatments. It is true also that some forms of alternative medicine can even hurt you. It is wise to educate yourself before using treatments, and always discuss your plans to use alternative and/or conventional treatments with your personal physician. Your doctor most likely is the best source to help you sort out the good from the bad.

Source: Mayo clinic (2006)Disclaimer: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem.

Author: Connie Limon
About the author:Connie Limon. Please visit us at http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for our weekly health and nutrition tip. Articles are FREE to publish to your newsletters, website or blog.

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Alternative medicines are coming back in a big way. The over dependence on allopathic and surgical methods to cure human maladies, and their corresponding side effects are encouraging patients to take to older and more natural means of cure. In order to relieve themselves of the painful and often futile solutions, which are offered by some of the allopathic procedures, a number of doctors are now prescribing natural treatments.

So, what are natural health therapies? Natural health therapies are as old as humankind and are perhaps the first curative methodologies to be recorded in human history. They depend on natural methods to solve ailments, without overt dependence on external elements. Today, any curative methodology depending on natural elements like herbs, plants and a set of exercises accompanied by naturally produced drugs, differing from the popular allopathic and surgical methodology comes under the purview of natural health therapy.

Also termed as Alternative Therapies in literature, these therapies try and cure the root cause of a problem, prevent the causes from recurring by advising a series of steps, and prescribe naturally available medicine like roots and herbs. Some of the common ones finding favor today are as follows:

Yoga as An Alternative Medicine
Yoga is a way of living. Yoga is a family of ancient spiritual practices that originated in India, where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means to enlightenment. Today yoga is also seen as a natural way to keep healthy for prolonged periods by doing a set of asana and meditation. Asanas are the set of exercises, which form an important component in the holistic ways of Yoga. Greater evidence is being rediscovered from practicing gurus, which clearly suggest that Yoga is linked to better health and longevity. The set of exercises keep the body fit and the meditation keeps the mind calm. The perfect recipe for a happy body. Although originated in India, it now finds favor in the west.

Naturopathy and Ayurvedic Medicine
The use of naturally occurring herbs, plants and elements to cure diseases in the body is termed is naturopathy. The essence here is the word natural. The loss of vitamins and minerals in the body lead to its deficiency and naturopathy suggests that such deficiency must be replenished by natural means, or by plants and herbs available in nature. Naturopathy is often subscribed along with yoga and other forms of exercises. Ayurvedic medicines are made from the extract of roots and naturally occurring material like honey and its derivatives, leaves and plant extracts. The use of naturally extracted medicines finds mention in the history of a number of civilizations, but the word finds its roots in Sanskrit, an Indian language.

Homeopathy
The use of poison to cure diseases is the way of homeopathy. It finds increasing popularity in Eastern and South East Asian countries, although it originated in Germany.

Massages and Oil Treatment
This methodology finds mention in almost all the above procedures in some way or the other. Oil based massages are famous for their curative and relaxing properties, both to the mind as well as the body. Oils extracted from trees and roots are used in this therapy.

Acupressure and Acupuncture
The practice of finding pressure points or nerve points in the body and relieving the associated pain in the concerned organs in the body is an age-old therapy. It finds mention in Chinese, Japanese and European culture.

Music Therapy
Music therapy is known to be a relieving past time since time immemorial. Kings and paupers alike have patronized it and its known curative properties are many. It is primarily a mind relieving therapy.

There are plethoras of alternative natural health therapies existing in the medical domain today. One has to choose it based on ones requirements. There could be many advantages of using a natural therapy as opposed to the current allopathic and surgical ones.

by Isabel Baldry
Isabel Baldry is covering a range of topics for various publications. To get more information about natural health therapies please visit http://www.abcnaturalhealth.com/ .

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Most people are familiar with Holistic Medicine. It is quite likely that a friend or relative of yours has experienced an alternative treatment. Perhaps you have tried to benefit from a complementary therapy and are familiar with a few holistic treatments. Most people do not know the main branches of Holistic Medicine, however. According to web references there are over of 30 types of Holistic Medicine. In this article we will introduce you to 5 main Holistic therapies.

Acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that is been practiced for thousands of years. There are more than 350 possible points in the human body where needles are inserted (usually wrists, ankles, feet, back and abdomen). The procedure lasts for approximately 20 minutes while the patient rests and then the needles are removed. Practitioners manipulate and twirl the needles with special techniques, stimulating the energy flows and promoting healing and pain relief.

Aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use primarily of essential oils and secondary of other aromatic natural substances such as vegetable (base) oils and scented products such as candles and soaps, in order to heal various diseases and vitalize body, spirit and mind. Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic method. There is historical evidence that in all major cultures of antiquity (Egypt,Greece, Persia, Roman), physicians dealt with herbs, aromatic plants and floral water in order to invigorate, cure, stimulate and relax their patients.

Homeopathy.
Homeopathy is a relatively new Holistic Medicine based on the idea, that a natural substance that can produce sick symptoms in a healthy person, can have therapeutic effect in a sick person who suffers from the same symptoms. The term Homeopathy comes from a Greek word meaning similar-suffering and was introduced by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. The homeopathetic approach to health was first described by Hippocrates 2,500 years ago. Homeopathy treatment is safe for patients as long as the next 2 rules are followed:

1. Remedies should be given in infinitesimal doses, so that unwanted side-effects could not be dangerous.
2. Remedies should be specific to each patient, because illness is specific to the individual.

Meditation.
There are many different, even opposing definitions of Meditation. The most common description says that “Meditation is a state of just being without any interference from the body or mind”. Free of thoughts, feelings and actions, the meditator has the ability to concentrate on the present moment of quiescence, to understand human mind’s nature and to help the awareness of every single aspect of life. Free from any distraction to the mind, the meditator, emphasizes mental activity and achieves personal development. There are many types of Meditation according to their focus and many of them are related to Eastern Religions.

Reflexology.
Reflexology is a therapeutic method of healing and pain relieving by pressuring particular reflex areas in hands and feet. Thousands of nerves end in these areas and link to glands, parts and organs of human body. Therefore, reflexologists by pressing on the reflex areas, induced human body to self-correct, to prevent illness, and generally to reinforce itself reaching holistic health.

About the Author:
George Kakaris is a freelance writer living in an island of Greece. He is very interested in natural health and alternative active life style and owner of an information site about Aromatherapy Essential Oils and Natural Healing.

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