Monday, 21 December, 2009
Graphic Source: Purdue Horticulture Edu.
”Hibiscus sabdariffa, or sour tea, is used in many parts of the world to make both cold and hot drinks. We might know it in English by the name Hibiscus or red sorrel. In Arabic it is called karkade, and in Iran, it is mainly known as sour tea. Sour tea, or Hibiscus, contains many constituents including , L-ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, beta-carotene, citric acid, pectin, quercetin, stearic acid and wax. The medicinal parts of the plant include the flower, sepal, leaves, stems and seeds. The extracts of the sepal contain significant amounts of vitamin C, anthocyanins and polyphenols and the highest concentration of water-soluble antioxidants. Traditionally, it has been used in folk medicine for several health issues including high blood pressure, liver diseases, loss of appetite, circulation, and as a gentle laxative and diuretic.
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Wednesday, 21 October, 2009
Mary Jo Kreitzer at the University of Minnesota and the Center for Spirituality and Healing recently addressed a topic on her blog that I’ve blogged about (Nurse Practitioners’ Role In Healthcare Reform) and talked about for years to all who are within listening range. It is a must read for everyone as we, lay and professional, are all consumers of health care!
“Leaders in the Healthcare Trenches: Let’s Start Recognizing Nurses for Their Expertise”
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Monday, 5 January, 2009
Today, with an increasing older population and inadequate health system, there is an accompanying interest in complementary and alternative therapies.
One of the goals of The Healthy People 2010 Report is to increase the quality of life and years of life of all individuals. I am assuming that “years of life” refers to “longevity” or life expectancy. The United States rank # 19 with a life expectancy of 78.9 years and Japan ranks #1 with a life expectancy of 82.9 years for women. Men in the U.S. rank #25/ 72.5 years and Japan rank #1/76.4 years.
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Tuesday, 23 September, 2008
Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other? Yes, they are different.
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy. A therapy in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being, to help lessen a patient’s discomfort following surgery.
Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.
What is integrative medicine? Integrative medicine combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there is some high-quality evidence of safety and effectiveness. It is also called integrated medicine. An approach to medicine that combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.
What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine? NCCAM groups CAM practices into four domains, recognizing there can be some overlap. In addition, NCCAM studies CAM whole medical systems, which cut across all domains.
Examples of whole medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine, a whole medical system that originated in Europe. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances that in larger doses would produce illness or symptoms (an approach called “like cures like”). Naturopathic medicine. A whole medical system that originated in Europe. Naturopathy aims to support the body’s ability to heal itself through the use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies such as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation. Read More…
