Acupuncture
As early as 2700 BC, the complicated system of Acupuncture had identified pressure points in the human body that were considered crucial for the healing process. By manipulating these pressure points, ancient Chinese physicians could treat the most complicated of diseases. The modern name is derived from the Latin words Acus (needle) and Punctura (penetration). It is, however, an ancient Chinese art of healing that sticks needles into a patient's skin or even muscles to correct imbalances in the `yin' & `yang' of the body. Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, one of the oldest medical texts in the world, comprises a special section called `Magic Gate', which is devoted to this therapeutic style. Although modern Acupuncture charts more than 2000 points in the body (located along invisible energy lines called `meridians', 12 channels in each half of the body and 2 major channels (Ren & Du) along the middle line) traditionally there were only 365. The western explanation for Acupuncture is that a needle inserted at specific acupuncture points of the body releases certain chemical substances, that activate neuro-transmitters, which then pass on nerve impulses to the brain to obtain the desired effects. However, this technique of Alternative Healing should be performed by trained practitioners only. Acupuncture is a part of the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a philosophy that developed into a medical system entailing examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Acupuncture uses very fine needles to stimulate points on the body's surface to improve the physiological functioning of the body.
Aromatherapy
The use of pure essential oils from plants dates back to many centuries, and history of aromatherapy is in many ways part of the history of herbal medicine as a whole. The Arabic countries are usually credited with first discovering the process of distillation of oils about a thousand years back. It then spread to India and then the west. In modern times a lot of research has been done on this - from perfumery applications to medicinal uses. Highly concentrated extracts and essential oils need to be treated with respect and care. Unless they are used sparingly, large doses not only increase immunity and reduce effectiveness, they can prove irritating and even toxic to the skin - a large part of their effect on our moods and emotions occurs through our sense of smell. When we breathe in air, the aroma molecules are translated into signals by the receptor cells in the nose. This signal is sent to the olfactory bulb and then on to the limbic and hypothalamic parts of the brain. Although not scientifically proven, it is believed that the essential oil aroma activates the `pharmacy' within our brains – neuro-chemicals as seretonin, endorphins etc. These are `words' that our brain uses to communicate with our nervous and other body systems. Thus, the aroma of calming oil would cause release of seretonin - a euphoric aroma.Relief from pain and other physical effects are also experienced when these neuro-chemicals are released. Studies done on effects of essential oils on brain waves have shown that a rhythm exhibiting calmness was produced when oil with sedative potential was inhaled and a stimulating aroma caused an alert response. Our minds can therefore play an important role in healthy living. Aromatherapy works effectively through the brain, through the mind and through the emotions. For example, the tender yellow flower of the Ylang Ylang tree is considered so worthy of love that it is placed on wedding beds in Indonesia. When you need a soothing balm for your senses, you need to close your eyes and feel the lush coolness of an immense forest filled with cedars, trees of frankincense and sandalwood through deep breaths of the lovely, fresh scent of those trees.
Biochemic Medicines
The idea upon which Biochemic Therapeutics is based is the physiological fact that both the structure and vitality of the organs of the body are dependent upon certain necessary quantities and proper apportionment of its organic constituents. These remain after combustion of the tissues and form the ashes. The inorganic constituents are, in a very real sense, the material basis of the organs and tissues of the body, and are absolutely essential to their integrity of structure and functional activity. According to Schussler's theory, any disturbance in the molecular motion of these cell salts in living tissues, caused by a deficiency in the requisite amount, constitutes disease, which can be rectified and the requisite equilibrium re-established by administering the same mineral salts in small quantities. This is supposed to be brought about by virtue of the operation of chemical affinity in the domain of histology; and hence this therapeutic procedure is styled by Schussler the biochemic method, and stress is laid on the fact that it is supposed harmony with well-known facts and laws in physiological
Acupressure
This is the most ancient and simplest Chinese system of curing various diseases caused mainly due to the imbalance of Yin (negative) and Yang (positive) forces in the body. The treatment is done by applying finger pressure at the acupoints by which the Yin-Yang forces are balanced. Acupressure essentially means employing massage techniques by applying pressure of various types over specific points on the body to stimulate energy points. The idea is to make available to all parts or the organs of the body an adequate amount of chi, the energy that flows in the network of different meridians or their collaterals. Acupuncture does this job through puncturing needles; acupressure does the same through different kinds of pressures.
