Alternative Medicine and Natural Health Practices

People choose alternative medicine and natural health over conventional health practices for a number of reasons. Perhaps you are at a point in your life where you are experiencing minor health problems and are seeking alternative methods to conventional health practices that often dont work. Or, perhaps you feel healthy and want to maintain this health by supplementing your current diet and lifestyle with natural health practices.

Types of Alternative Medicine

Since there are varying types of alternative medicine each offering their own philosophy and discipline, you will have to decide what form of alternative medicine is best able to help you heal any particular health problems that you have. Following are types of alternative medicine:

• Herbal medicine. Herbal medicine uses certain properties of herbs and other plants in the form of dietary supplements as a means to promote health and to heal specific health problems. Plant parts used can include the leaves, flowers, stems, or a combination of all. Examples of some commonly used herbal medicines include green tea which may have an anti-cancer effect, valerian root used to treat insomnia, peppermint tea for digestive issues, and Echinacea extracts to limit the length of colds.

• Chinese herbal medicine. Also known as herbology, Chinese herbal medicine involves combining medicinal herbs to heal the body. The focus is on preventing disease before it has a chance to manifest itself, as well as treating existing health problems. A key to the success of Chinese herbal medicine is the treatment of each patient as an individual with herbs mixed specifically for each patient.

• Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating needles into acupuncture points on the body to stimulate nerve impulses and restore health and well-being. It is believed that your life energy, or qi, travels along your body on what are known as meridians. When this flow of energy is broken and damaged, your body is weak and results in health issues.

• Acupressure. Acupressure involves placing physical pressure by hand or elbow on acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Shiatsu is a form of acupressure that promotes the prevention and recovery of illnesses by stimulating the immune system and natural healing power the people already possess.

• Massage. The goal of massage is to apply pressure, tension and motion to the soft tissues of the body to assist with healing injury, relieving psychological stress, manage pain and improve circulation.

• Reflexology. Also known as zone therapy, reflexology is the practice of stimulating nerves on the feet, hands and ears to encourage a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve your general well-being. It stimulates the blood flow to particular parts of your body while relieving the tension in your body and mind.

• Homeopathy. Homeopathy is the principle of treating like with like. Homeopathic remedies are substances derived from plants and minerals that are diluted in a precise way as to cause toxic behavior and cure the symptoms.

• Yoga. Yoga uses specific body postures to reduce stress, slow breathing and heart rate, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation that is necessary for a healthy mind and body.

• Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses the extracts of plants, known as essential oils, and other scented compounds to relax and balance the body. An example of aromatherapy is eucalyptus oil and mint which is used to provide relief for the airways during a cold or the flu.

• Ayurveda. Ayurveda operates on the precept that various materials of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have some medicinal value for curing illness and/or for maintaining good health. Ayurveda originated in india and is based on the philosophy that disease occurs when you are not living harmoniously within your environment.

• Meditation. Meditation is a relaxation technique used to reduce and alleviate symptoms of ill health including headaches, back pain and high blood pressure.

These are examples of alternative medicine. Since there are many variations, it is important to research alternative medicine as it relates to your health issues and your lifestyle.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling lifes major events. Whether youre planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, youll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find tips and resources on exercise and fitness programs, exercising with health conditions, childrens fitness, and more at http://www.myguidesusa.com/fitnessandexercise

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Hole-In-One Golf Gifts

I get to play golf for a living, says tiger Woods with a toothy grin. What more could you ask for?

tiger Woods is golf's most dashing young icons, and his success has generated renewed interest in golf and golfing all over the world. Golf continues to shed its stigma as a sport only the rich and the bored play. In fact, today, people of all walks of life are practicing their hooks and slices on over 32,000 golf courses throughout the world. In China, for example, the first golf course opened only in the 1980s, but now there are over 200 courses scattered throughout that country. golf holidays and vacations are the hottest golf trend, allowing people to see the world while playing their favorite sport. With numerous golf products on the market, selecting a golf gift can be as difficult as choosing the right putter for a difficult golf shot. But with some research and discriminating judgment, you can pick a present that scores a hole in one!

Remember the Golfer
Remember the golfer when you choose your golf gift. If he wears t-shirts and jeans 365 days of the year, do not buy him a golf necktie. If eating chocolate makes his skin break out into a rash, then do not get him a bucket of chocolate golf balls. In picking your present, mull over what the golfer's hobbies and interests are. You know he likes golf, and talks about it as frequently as he does about his ex-wife. But what other things does he like other than golf? You can consolidate the answers to these questions with the golfer's vehement love for the sport.

Make a Gift Profile
Who says you can't keep files on your friends like the FBI does? Compile information about your friends' preferences, so that every time you need to give golf gifts away, you know the scope of your options. Oh, and be sure to tick off the ones you've already given. It wouldn't do to give the same present year after year.

The Gift Profile should include information about the person himself, such as his age, marital status, place of residence, and profession. It should also include information about his interests, such as how he spends his free time, his favorite or least favorite food and drinks, and his fashion style.

Be Practical
Your golf gift should be practical. This means it should be useful, if not at present, then at some future time. Here are some examples of golf gifts that have very high utilitarian value:

Golf chip and dip platter/ salsa bowl
Golf wine rack
Golf magazine rack
Golf desk lamp
Golf towel
Golf barbecue utensil set
Golf tote bag

Another option is picking goofy golf gifts. These make highly memorable gifts, and your friend could show it off to visitors at his home:

The golf Piggy Bank looks like a pig riding in a golf cart.
Golf Slippers are slippers that look like shoes.
Funny Golf T-shirts include the prints how to throw your golf bag and how to break your golf clubs
Novelty golf balls, including floating golf balls and exploding golf balls
The Broken Window golf Ball which, when placed on glass, gives the appearance of a golf ball shattering a window

Ultimately, whether you choose to give a personal, practical or wacky golf gift, pick one that makes you a winner in the game of gift-giving!

In need of golf gifts? Visit our site now and have your fill of top-drawer presents, ranging from golf totes and balls to Cross pens and cufflinks.

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