February 23, 2012

Alternative Medicine

Supari Palm or Betelnut Areca catechu. Kolkata...
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Diseases have always been with us, although cures were not always so abundant. Modern pharmaceutical education and the knowledge from pharmaceutical research was non-existent. Societies around the world, before the pharmaceutical era, consumed various forms of traditional medicines. These medicines were either plant based or were physical therapy based. The reason we know them today is only because these few indigenous medicines have stood the test of time and have been effective in curing diseases. The knowledge has successfully been passed on to successive generations.

The modern pharmaceutical industry is based on the principles set by these alternative medicines. Even though the pharmaceutical industry has seen many innovations and improvements, it has not been successful in completely ejecting alternative medicine from being practiced. Aside from the different effects alternative medicine has on the body, these alternatives are less restricting and can help patients keep their lives moving. With all the side-effects that over the counter medicine can cause, taking care of your kids, cleaning the house, and studying for your mid-term on onlineeducation.com can seem impossible.

Alternative medicine such as German homeopathy, Indian Ayurveda and Siddha, naturopathy, Arabian Unani and Iranian, osteopathic medicine, therapeutic touch, African Muti, Chinese medicine and acupuncture are just some of the world renowned alternative forms of medicine. The knowledge that these alternative medicines hold is enormous with much of it lost with extinct plants species. The drugs that these alternative medicines use are from indigenous plant roots and leaves. The range of treatments varies with every disease and with every region. The finest part is that none of these alternative medicines have any side effects.

Modern pharmacological helath care has only recognized some of the cures offered by alternative medicine. A lot of research is being done currently to learn and incorporate the benefits of alternative medicine into modern pharmaceutical science. Modern pharmaceutical education is being combined with traditional health medicines, to further sow the seed of innovation into the new breed of pharmaceutical researchers. Simultaneously these alternative medicines are seeing a comeback in their original form because of backing from successfully treated patients and a few governments.