The world of modern medicine is full of choice, and yet in an age of so called miracle drugs and contemporary therapies, many people are revaluating their options, and are considering joining the natural healing trend; but is this a new trend, and if so, where did it spring from?

The fact of the matter is that whilst the current trend is gathering pace, as more and more people are discovering the benefits of alternative medicine, it is not a new fashion. It is something that is as old as time itself, or at least as old the time since Homo sapiens have walked the planet the world over. The ancient Chinese developed natural healing on their continent, and in North America, the native indigenous Indian population developed their own brand of natural healing based on their understanding of the natural attributes of Mother Earth.

There are many forms of natural healing, but they all have the same common theme, and seek the same common end result; the restoration and maintenance of good health and well being, through an appropriate, well balanced, healthy diet; the existence of a gentle exercise regime, the abolition of stress, and the use of herbal remedies and natural therapies to counteract illness and disease.

Some natural healing techniques target certain specific problems, like acupuncture for example. Other forms of natural healing take a more holistic approach and are aimed at improving your overall health and well-being.

The genetic name that we give to cover all forms of natural healing is “alternative medicine”, and it encompasses everything from herbal remedies, to aromatherapy, acupuncture, meditation, and osteopathy. The term “alternative medicine” focuses your attention on the fact that is a practice in its own right, totally separate and different from conventional medicine. Instead of taking conventional prescribed drugs, (which can often have harmful side effects), alternative medicine brings to the table the option of taking a wholly natural medication or therapy, derived from Mother Nature; one that is safe and that has no harmful side effects. The various branches of alternative medicine include, but are not limited to:

• Homeopathy – the practice of using small watered down variants of the cause of an illness, which act in a way similar to helping the sufferer to build an immunity.

• Naturopathy – as the name intimates, this type of natural healing employs the body’s own defense and repair mechanisms, enhancing them to bring about the desired result. It utilizes diet, colonic irrigation, regular gentle exercise, etc.

• Acupuncture – the therapy that comprises of using long, thin acupuncture needles to piece the skin at certain nodal points, thus diverting the body’s flow of energy to block pain and to remedy certain complaints and injuries.

• Chiropractics – this is a form of massage and manipulation and it targets the musculoskeletal system through manipulating the spinal column, and kneading any damaged soft tissue

• Midwifery – This well known practice targets pregnant women, and aims to help the birthing process through natural actions such as controlled breathing and muscle response management. Midwives offer advice on the care of infants while still in the womb, throughout the birth, and after the birth.

• Herbal medicine – the use of certain plants, herbs and extracts to counteract certain illnesses and conditions. This ancient form of natural healing goes back many millennia, into the domains of so called white witches, shaman, and witch doctors.

The terms “natural healing” and “alternative medicine” are but different faces of the same coin. They cover several different manifestations of natural medicine, and some entail spiritual or religious undertones, and some are born out of more recent times to reflect modern day life and modern day ailments, not forgetting to mention mankind’s more enlightened understanding of our world and the circumstances in which we exist.

Is natural healing a new phenomena?

We have already discussed the ancient roots of natural healing and alternative medicine so we know that it is not a new occurrence. What may be considered to be new however, is our understanding and belief that we are all entitled to the very best of health and well being, and this is what we turn the powers of alternative medicine towards to achieve our goal. We often find that so called “old wives tales” such as rubbing a dandelion leaf on an insect bite, really do work, and this is because it is knowledge of the healing power of Mother Nature that has been handed down the ages. More and more discoveries are being made each and every day about the healing ingredients of certain plants and herbs, and many modern drugs use these same findings today, albeit in artificial ways.

It’s All About You

Your own health and well being is the most important thing you have. All the wealth in the world is of no use if you do not have the life and the ability to be able to enjoy it. Without your health, you are nothing. You alone know what it is that you need and what it is that you lack. By turning to the power of Mother Nature and taking advantage of the natural remedies and cures she has to offer, you can be truly fulfilled in your overall health and well being. If you combine this with a well balanced, healthy diet, a gentle but regular exercise regime, and a stress free lifestyle, you can utilize the benefits of natural well being to maximize your very existence.

Natural medicine and natural healing are not new. It is only our modern day commitment to using it to achieve our own ultimate well being that is new, and that is something that each new generation learns in turn.