Reflexology Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is an alternative medical practice involving the application of pressure to specific points on the feet and/or hands. This is done using thumb, finger, and hand massage techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on a pseudoscientific system of zones and reflex areas that purportedly reflect an image...
Acupressure Acupressure, s an alternative medicine technique often used in conjunction with acupuncture or reflexology. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through “meridians” in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points or ashi trigger points with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by...
Niyama The Niyamas (नियम, Niyama) are positive duties or observances. In Indian traditions, particularly Yoga, niyamas and their complement, Yamas, are recommended activities and habits for healthy living, spiritual enlightenment, and a liberated state of existence. It has multiple meanings depending on context in Hinduism. In Buddhism, the term extends to the determinations of nature, as in...
Vaccination And Religion Vaccination and religion have interrelations of varying kinds. No major religions prohibit vaccinations, and some consider it an obligation because of the potential to save lives. However, some people cite religious adherence as a basis for opting to forego vaccinating themselves or their children. Historical The influential Massachusetts preacher Cotton Mather was the...
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an approach to psychotherapy that uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) methods in collaboration with mindfulness meditative practices and similar psychological strategies. It was originally created to be a relapse-prevention treatment for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). A focus on MDD and cognitive processes distinguishes MBCT from other mindfulness-based therapies. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR),...
Herbal Medicine Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. There is limited scientific evidence for the safety and efficacy of plants used in 21st century herbalism, which generally does not provide standards for purity or...
Self-love Self-love, defined as “love of self” or “regard for one’s own happiness or advantage”, has been conceptualized both as a basic human necessity and as a moral flaw, akin to vanity and selfishness, synonymous with amour propre, conceitedness, egotism, narcissism, et al. However, throughout the centuries self-love has adopted a more...
Self-acceptance Self-acceptance is acceptance of self. Definition Self-acceptance can be defined as: the awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, the realistic (yet subjective) appraisal of one’s talents, capabilities, and general worth, and, feelings of satisfaction with one’s self despite deficiencies and regardless of past behaviors and choices. According to Shepard (1979),...
List Of Herbs With Known Adverse Effects This is a partial list of herbs and herbal treatments with known or suspected adverse effects, either alone or in interaction with other herbs or drugs. Non-inclusion of an herb in this list does not imply that it is free of adverse effects....
Wellness In Alternative Medicine This article covers Wellness In Alternative Medicine. Wellness is a state beyond absence of illness but rather aims to optimize well-being. The notions behind the term share the same roots as the alternative medicine movement, in 19th-century movements in the US and Europe that sought to optimize health...
Six-factor Model Of Psychological Well-being The Six-factor Model of Psychological Well-being is a theory developed by Carol Ryff which determines six factors which contribute to an individual’s psychological well-being, contentment, and happiness. Psychological well-being consists of positive relationships with others, personal mastery, autonomy, a feeling of purpose and meaning in life, and personal growth...
Prophetic Medicine In Islam, Prophetic medicine (الطب النبوي, ‘Al-Tibb al-nabawī) is the advice given by the prophet Muhammad with regards to sickness, treatment and hygiene as found in the hadith, and the writings undertaken primarily by non-physician scholars to collect and explicate these traditions. It is distinct from Islamic medicine, which is a broader category encompassing a variety...
Acupuncture Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is a pseudoscience because the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientific knowledge, and it has been characterized as quackery. There is a range of...
Veganism Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A follower of the diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan. Distinctions may be made between several categories of veganism. Dietary vegans...
Personal Development Personal development covers activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitate employability, enhance the quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. Personal development takes place over the course of a person’s entire life. Not limited to self-help, the concept involves formal and...
5 Reasons Losing Weight Will Improve Your Life Whether you’re trying to lose 5 pounds or 50 you’ve probably been told (ad nauseum) about the many benefits of weight loss. From it’ll make you feel better about yourself to you’ll get a better paying job. We’ve heard them all before,...
What Is Ayurveda? Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The study of Ayurveda is pseudoscientific while the practice can be classified as protoscience or unscientific. The main classical Ayurveda texts begin with accounts of the transmission of medical knowledge from the gods to sages, and then to human...
Honey: A Healing For Mankind Throughout The Ages In this article, we have covered honey: A healing for mankind throughout the ages. INTRODUCTION There is natural healing power in the honey of great benefit to man. This is affirmed in verses 68-9 of sura al-Nahl in the Qur’an: And your Lord inspired...
Definition Of Healthy Living “Health is not simply the absence of sickness.” What is the true definition of Healthy Living? It sounds silly that we need to define Healthy Living. After all, we know what Healthy is and we also know what Living is. Let‘s first start with what Health...