Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Popular Culture and Consumerism: Mediocre, (Schein-)Heilig and Pseudo-Therapeutic

by Roman Meinhold

(2009) In: Yusuf, Imtiyaz and Atilgan, Canan (ed.) Religion, Politics and Globalization. Implications for Thailand and Asia. Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Bangkok. 51-65. ISBN 978-616-90475-0-6

Comparative Melioration and Pathological Pathogenization in Viagra Marketing.

by Roman Meinhold

(2011) In: Botz-Bornstein, Thorsten.: The Philosophy of Viagra. Bioethical Responses to the Viagrification of the Modern World. New York, Amsterdam: Rodopi (Value Inquiry Book Series)

The paper investigates how Viagra marketing utilizes the human condition of comparative melioration. Comparative... more The paper investigates how Viagra marketing utilizes the human condition of comparative melioration. Comparative melioration is the drive of humans to improve themselves and their environment by  comparing their own condition or status quo with those of others or with potential conditions. In Viagra marketing the utilization of this human condition is linked with the strategy of pathogenization, that is the constant widening and re-definition of the notions and concepts of disease, disorder, and dysfunction. Side effects of the pathologization are that this strategy itself is creating additional medical problems, that means that the pathologization is pathogenic and therefore it is also pathologic. The paper concludes with an enlightenment-appeal according to which one should utilize various available resources of information to improve one's own understanding of medical conditions.

Some Belief, Practice and Prospect of Folk healers of Sikkim

by Ashok Kumar Panda

lepcha, bhutia and nepalis, three ehtnic gropus of Sikkim are practicing traditional medicines have a strongbelief of... more lepcha, bhutia and nepalis, three ehtnic gropus of Sikkim are practicing traditional medicines have a strongbelief of different supernatural forces and deities. The study is an attem to focus the belief, practice and prospect of folk healrs of Sikkim.

The use of randomized control trials in complementary therapies: exploring the issues

by Janet Richardson

Fifteen minutes of chair-based yoga postures or guided meditation performed in the office can elicit a relaxation response

by Ben Colagiuri

Melville, G. W., Chang, D., Colagiuri, B., Marshall, P. W., & Cheema, B. S. (2012). FifteenMinutes of Chair-Based Yoga Postures or GuidedMeditation Performed in the Office Can Elicit a Relaxation Response. Evidenced-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012: Article ID 501986, 9 pages doi:10.1155/2012/501986

This study compared acute (15 min) yoga posture and guided meditation practice, performed seated in a typical office... more This study compared acute (15 min) yoga posture and guided meditation practice, performed seated in a typical office workspace, on physiological and psychological markers of stress. Twenty participants (39.6 ± 9.5 yr) completed three conditions: yoga, meditation, and control (i.e., usual work) separated by ≥24 hrs. Yoga and meditation significantly reduced perceived stress versus control, and this effect was maintained post intervention. Yoga increased heart rate while meditation reduced heart rate versus control (P < 0.05). Respiration rate was reduced during yoga and meditation versus control (P < 0.05). Domains of heart rate variability (e.g., SDNN and Total Power) were significantly reduced during control versus yoga and meditation. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced secondary to meditation versus control only (P < 0.05). Physiological adaptations generally regressed toward baseline post intervention. In conclusion, yoga postures or meditation performed in the office can acutely improve several physiological and psychological markers of stress. These effects may be at least partially mediated by reduced respiration rate.

Americanasana (review essay on history of yoga in America)

by Jared Farmer

Special attention given to Mark Singleton's YOGA BODY, Stefanie Syman's THE SUBTLE BODY, and Robert Love's THE GREAT OOM.

Medicinal plants of Sikkim in Ayurvedic practice

by Ashok Kumar Panda

The rich flora of Sikkim has a number of raw drugs described in Ayurvedic texts. There are about 420 plants used by... more The rich flora of Sikkim has a number of raw drugs described in Ayurvedic texts. There are about 420 plants used by the tribal people for various diseases in Sikkim Himalayas region, out of which few are in utilized on commercial basis. Here thirty medicinal plants are presented which have high medicinal values in Ayurveda. Most of the drugs have Rasayana and tridoshagna properties and used in common health problems of Sikkim

Arsenical Compounds in Ayurveda Medicine- A Prospective analysis

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Haritala (Orpiment), Manashila (Realgar)  and Gouripasana (White arsenic)  are the three commonly used... more Haritala (Orpiment), Manashila (Realgar)  and Gouripasana (White arsenic)  are the three commonly used Arsenicals in Ayurveda and other codified traditional medicine of India for  wide range diseases  after  Sodhana ( Purifiaction) and Marana( Calcification) . Gouripasana (White arsenic) is now accepted in western medicine as first chemotherapeutic agent against certain hamatopoitic cancer. Malla sindura and Rasa Manikya are two derivatives of White arsenic and Orpiment respectively used in certain cases of cancer and solid tumor by the contemporary Ayurveda Practitioners and traditional healers of North East India. A systematic study on arsenical compounds in Ayurveda is not found as like Chinese traditional  medicine , therefore  a prospective study to analyse the different arsenicals used in Ayurveda, their purification ,  Properties,  formulation, pharmacology and therapeutics , toxicology as described in Ayurveda with modern understanding of  biological responses, toxicology and detailed pharmacological studies  was undertaken. The Indications of Arsenicals in Ayurveda medicine are still remaining to be justified in the light of modern pharmacology. This study throws an idea where an Ayurveda clinician and patient  can presume the risk in light of benefit.

Arsenical Compounds in Ayurveda Medicine- A Prospective analysis

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Haritala (Orpiment), Manashila (Realgar)  and Gouripasana (White arsenic)  are the three commonly used... more Haritala (Orpiment), Manashila (Realgar)  and Gouripasana (White arsenic)  are the three commonly used Arsenicals in Ayurveda and other codified traditional medicine of India for  wide range diseases  after  Sodhana ( Purifiaction) and Marana( Calcification) . Gouripasana (White arsenic) is now accepted in western medicine as first chemotherapeutic agent against certain hamatopoitic cancer. Malla sindura and Rasa Manikya are two derivatives of White arsenic and Orpiment respectively used in certain cases of cancer and solid tumor by the contemporary Ayurveda Practitioners and traditional healers of North East India. A systematic study on arsenical compounds in Ayurveda is not found as like Chinese traditional  medicine , therefore  a prospective study to analyse the different arsenicals used in Ayurveda, their purification ,  Properties,  formulation, pharmacology and therapeutics , toxicology as described in Ayurveda with modern understanding of  biological responses, toxicology and detailed pharmacological studies  was undertaken. The Indications of Arsenicals in Ayurveda medicine are still remaining to be justified in the light of modern pharmacology. This study throws an idea where an Ayurveda clinician and patient  can presume the risk in light of benefit.

Effectiveness of Leech therapy in Gambhira Vata-rakta (Acute Gout): a pilot Study

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Bloodletting is a mainstay of Panchakarma therapy as per Susruta . Leech therapy has been indicated as means of... more Bloodletting is a mainstay of Panchakarma therapy as per Susruta . Leech therapy has been indicated as means of bloodletting for both types of Vata-rakta where pain, burning and    redness found as per Charaka chikitsa. Medical science has enormous leaps in terms of diagnosis and treatment yet there is renewed interest in leech therapy among modern as well as traditional medicine practitioners. Most of studies of leech therapy are found for plastic surgery and pain reduction in osteo- arthritis. US, FDA also approves leech therapy as tool of skin graft.  Therefore, we conducted a non randomized controlled pilot study in between June 2011 to Sep 2011 to assess the efficacy of leech therapy in Gambhira Vatarakta as diagnosed as acute Gout. Twelve patients (eight male and four female) with a mean age of 47(9) years were treated with two - four leeches for seven days with a follow up to four weeks. Another 10 patents those were not willing for leech therapy was treated with tropical Diclofenac sodium  gel for 7 days as control. The mean length of blood socking is 32(5) minute. The mean quantity of blood sucked by Individual leech per suck is 6(2) ml. In comparison with control, leech application led to rapid relief of pain and swelling immediate after the detachment of leech. Most significant clinical improvement was noted after 14 days and slightly reduction of serum uric acid were also noted after three weeks of treatment.  90% Patient described the initial leech therapy as a painless and two patients had mild to moderate itching but no local infection was noted in treated group. Our study was limited to small sample size but it had remarkable treatment effect. Larger randomized control trial should be undertaken to study the safety and efficacy of leech therapy in acute  gout.

Consumer demand of Traditional Medicine in Chennai Rural

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Amchi are the front runner Traditional medicine in India. A survey was conducted in... more Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Amchi are the front runner Traditional medicine in India. A survey was conducted in Poonamallee area of Chennai to study the consumer demand of Ayurveda medicime in July2002 to August 2003. It was found that only 21% of studied population were interested for Traditional Medicine but morethan 70% people have been using Ayurveda product either as cosmetics or as health promotive agents by self or by advertisement. only 29% people in studied population knew about Ayurveda whereas no body knows about Amchi and Unani system of Medicine. 32% studied people knew about siddha system of Medicine. In this way this paper enumerated the acceptance and atitude of people in Chennai rural.

Science & Tradition of Bone setting

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Bones are the highest number and hardest structure in our body. The tensile strength of bone is 3000 kg per cm2 more... more Bones are the highest number and hardest structure in our body. The tensile strength of bone is 3000 kg per cm2 more than cast iron (2450kg per cm2) with only one third of its weight. Bones does not break more often considering the amount of forces it is subjected to every day by the muscle action, load transmission etc. But only when the force is too high and occurs suddenly as in road accident, fall, violent blow, trauma etc or when a force is chronic or repetitive as the prolonged standing in case of Policeman, nurses etc or when the natural resistance of bone is eroded by a disease process (tumor, infection), that bone succumbs to insult and break. Bone healing consists of several overlapping phase- Inflammation, soft callus formation, hard callus formation and remodeling. Father of Indian Surgery- Susruta classified twelve types of Kanda bhagna(Fractures) and six types of Sandhi mukta ( dislocations) in Susruta Samhita. He describes all joints, moveable or fixed in the body, bone should be set to their normal position by these setting procedures- traction, compression, bandage and immobilization. The traditional bonesetter has gained such practical experience from their ancestors in a traditional basic. Traditional bone setting (TBS) is quite popular in India.

The paper is Published in Hritage Amruth, Vol-1, Issue-5 December 2005

CONCEPT OF INFLAMMATION (SOPHA)

by Ashok Kumar Panda

                      Inflammation, although first... more                       Inflammation, although first characterized by Cornelius Celsus, But it is well explained in Ayurveda before 6000 years ago. Sopha(Inflammation) is very fundamental to understand the disease process in Ayurveda.    The normal snigdha-sheet- agneya character of Srotas get disturbed by the Vidahi( Irritant) & Abhisandhya dravyas( Channel blockers), as a result there is a disturbed in the transport mechanism of the affected Srotas (Channel). So this retention or accumulation of the fluid is termed as Sopha. According to Ayurveda, Sopha can be a symptom of any disease, an independent disease and a complication of other diseases. The enumerations of Bruhatrayee, Madhav nidana & Bhela Samhita are critical analysed  with the etiology, types, pathogenesis and line of treatment in a meaningful way. The etiological factors are important for the administration of the correct treatment in Sopha  and  Physician should understand the correct srotas involvement  for Antah Sopha & Bahir Sopha.

Energy therapy for people with addictions

by Dimitri Kelaiditis

Griffiths, M.D. (2012). First person (Complementary therapy). Nottingham Post, February 21, p.12.

by Mark Griffiths

"A Diagnosis for our Times: Alternative Health, from Lifeworld to Politics", by Matthew Schneirov and Jonathan David Geczik [book review]

by David Rier

Contemporary Sociology 34(1):73-75; 2005

"A Diagnosis for our Times: Alternative Health, from Lifeworld to Politics", by Matthew Schneirov and Jonathan David Geczik [book review]

by David Rier

Contemporary Sociology 34(1):73-75; 2005

Perceptions and self-use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among Malaysian dental students

by Muneer G Babar

Muneer Gohar Babara, Shahzad Hasan Syed, Cho Min Nainga, Nur Hidayah Binti Hamzaha

Introduction
A high self-use of CAM by medical students has been reported however, studies of CAM use among... more Introduction
A high self-use of CAM by medical students has been reported however, studies of CAM use among dental students is limited. The present study assesses the perceptions and self-use of CAM among dental students in Malaysia.

Methods
A cross-sectional study of the perceptions and self-use of CAM among 267 randomly sampled dental students from 1 public and 2 private universities in Malaysia was undertaken using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS® version 18.

Results
Seventy-six percent of the sample reported using CAM at the time of the survey. Of these, 21.7% (58) reported using Complementary Medicine (CM) and 16.5% (44) reported using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). More than half (204, 76.4%) of the participants were currently using CAM while 95.8% (256) had used it previously. Students perceived all types of CAM as effective (mean score ≤ 3). Lack of trained professionals was reported by 64% of the sample as the main barrier to the use of CAM. A majority of students (58.4%, n = 156) reported that friends and family members were their main source of information about CAM. Students supported the integration of CAM education into their dental curriculum (mean score ≤ 3).

Conclusions
Data from this study adds to the understanding of dental students’ current and previous self-use of CAM. The dental students in this study agreed that CAM knowledge is necessary to be a well-rounded professional and supported the integration of CAM education in the dental curriculum.

Keywords
Perception; Self-use; Complementary; Alternative; Dental students; Malaysia

Todo el mundo sabe. Difusión y apropiación de las técnicas del yoga en Buenos Aires (Argentina)

by Maria Mercedes Saizar

n este trabajo, la autora presenta al yoga como una de las prácticas que permiten
el acceso y la iniciación a... more n este trabajo, la autora presenta al yoga como una de las prácticas que permiten
el acceso y la iniciación a otras búsquedas espirituales y de salud propias del movimiento de la Nueva Era. Analiza el proceso de apropiación y refiguración de las nociones propias de la disciplina oriental, su aparición y difusión, tomando
en cuenta tanto la perspectiva de los practicantes –usuarios y especialistas- como el material proveniente de diversos medios de divulgación masivos, tales como revistas, libros, videos de práctica, programas de televisión y foros de Internet dedicados a la temática.

Reflexiones en torno a la complementariedad terapéutica entre usuarios del Yoga en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mitológicas XXI, pp 23-45

by Maria Mercedes Saizar