Alternative Medicine

At Nourishing World, we advocate for a natural approach to health and wellness. We believe that our bodies are innately well-equipped to fight disease and will thrive when mindfully nourished, especially without excessive intervention. The fast pace of modern society leaves the health care consumer searching for the fastest route to a cure, leaving us anxious to medicate, vaccinate, operate on, and heal the sick. Adequate sleep, hydration, exercise, and a whole food diet are considered the keys to holistic wellness. In times of ill health, we look first to our planet for natural ways to aid the body in organically healing itself. This practice of "alternative medicine" is experiencing a widespread revitalization as our generation questions the use of conventional medicine. 

Alternative medicine techniques take into account the body's myriad of defense systems and promote supporting these natural processes. The use of chiropractic care, naturopathy, homeopathy, vitamin and supplement nutrition-based therapy, and acupuncture, along with many others, have long been used in conjunction with, or in lieu of science-based care. Modern medicine certainly has its place, but the risks of treatment often outweigh the benefits. Needless, expensive procedures and prescriptions put sufferers of disease into a cycle of intervention as one treatment begets another ailment. The benefits of complementary medicines, conversely, are huge! Largely without side effects, these treatment plans work to bring the body's systems back into alignment and promote whole-body preventative care. Our philosophy is to utilize conventional medicine only as a last resort.

The excessive and continued use of prescription drugs can lead to internal damage of the kidneys and liver and puts the user at higher risk of developing ulcers. We are weary of the overuse of antibiotics and the subsequent elimination of good bacteria from our bodies. The "Purell generation" is plagued with superbugs and deadly flu strains of our own creation, and we have depleted ourselves of the natural antibodies to fight them. Sometimes, the best offensive approach is a good defense. Arming our bodies with probiotics, antioxidants, and a steady supply of whole food vitamins and minerals is a great way to ensure continued good health. 

Illness Prevention - Some all natural tips for getting healthy and staying healthy.

Natural Health Guide

The best thing we can do is not get sick in the first place. Check out our Illness Prevention page for many helpful all natural suggestions about how to get healthy and stay healthy. The following is a list of common ailments and some natural ways to remedy them.

Since most common childhood ailments are viral in nature, we believe that it is generally best to allow the virus to run its course and keep your patient as comfortable as possible with natural symptom relief. Of course, common sense and parental instinct prevail. This is simply a guide and is not a substitute for medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

I have many personal experiences successfully treating a wide range of symptoms without conventional medicine. We all know about the side effects of many drugs, including ulcers, liver, and kidney damage. There are safe alternatives.

• Ear Infections (Otitis Media) - Standard treatment protocol for ear infections has long been a course of penicillin. Children who experience recurrent infection are often referred for the surgical placement of tubes. Current research and my personal experience suggest that ear infections are most frequently viral, rendering antibiotics ineffective. The body will rid itself of the virus, and the infection will eventually go away on its own. A buildup of fluid in the middle ear can cause a tremendous amount of pain, so the goal of treatment is to allow the fluid to drain while managing pain.
1. An adjustment from a chiropractor can bring almost immediate relief as it promotes drainage of the middle ear. The American Chiropractic Association has a doctor locator on their website to help you find an accredited chiropractor near you.
2. Mullein Garlic Oil, an herb available in a liquid dropper, can be purchased at your local health food store. 2-3 drops placed directly in the ear work well to soothe the pain associated with an infection.
3. Colloidal Silver is an antibiotic supplement recommended by natural health healers to kill viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and even for antibiotic-resistant infections and superbugs! When treating ear infections with colloidal silver, less is more. Only 3 drops once or twice a day should be sufficient, only 1 or 2 drops for small children. It is best to be lying down with the infected ear up. Remain like this for at least 10 minutes to allow the colloidal silver to seep all the way down into the ear.
• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) - Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of cases of pink eye are not bacterial. The symptoms are most commonly a component of a virus, antibiotics will not help, and the pink eye will go away all by itself. Similasan makes homeopathic eyedrops for relief of Pink Eye symptoms (and Styes, and other eye irritations).

  I personally had a bout of eye irritation last for over 6 months. I saw my eye doctor and my regular doctor, tried a bunch of stuff and finally went through two rounds of antibiotics. Nothing made it go away. My father was going through the same thing at the same time and I figured it was something genetic. Someone suggested to my Dad to try cod liver oil. I started taking it as well and within two days my irritation was gone. I take cod liver oil every day still and have had no further problems. I was amazed!

• Teething Pain - I don't know how I would have survived raising two babies without Teething Tablets, a homeopathic combination remedy by Hyland. Camilia from Bioron is also a favorite.
• Baby Belly-Aches/Colic When the baby is screaming and your motherly instinct tells you it is a belly ache, try Gripe Water. This is a remedy made from a common herb.  I used to hold my babies a certain way and bounce on a giant inflated exercise ball after giving the gripe water to help with their belly-aches. You should hold them with their back to your chest and wrap your hands under their knees so their legs are pressed up against their belly and hanging over your hands, exerting gentle pressure. This plus the bouncing movement and Gripe Water usually helped.
• Coughs Boiron makes a homeopathic cough syrup called Chestal. Chicken broth and tea with honey are also recommended by Dr. Jerald Kupperberg,  a local homeopathic MD my family has seen. When my son Jacob was small, 4 years old or so, he had a croup cough that no over-the counter stuff could touch. Dr. Kupperberg created a homeopathic remedy for him that included Spongia and Acconite and the the cough was calmed within half an hour!
• Cold/Runny Nose I love Sambucus Black Elderberry Syrup from Nature's Answer. Whenever I take this, I'm breathing easier within 1/2 hr. This was recommended by Dr. John McGonigle, a homeopathic MD in East Providence, RI, along with N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC). Global Healing Center makes a natural lung cleansing spray to help with coughs called Allertrex.
• Allergies Allertrex is also good for allergies and Boiron makes a homeopathic allergy remedy called Sabadil.
• Bumps and Bruises Homeopathic Arnica Ointment for quick pain relief and Arnica Montana homeopathic tablets for any trauma.
• Mouth Sores Arnica Montana is a homeopathic remedy in the little blue bottles. The bottle says "Trauma". I gave it to my sons when they had sores in their mouths from "hand, foot, mouth disease". It seemed to bring immediate relief.

  I occasionally get a little white bump on my tounge. They pop up in different places and I use plain old table salt to help get rid of them. I wet a Q-Tip and dunk it in salt then place it directly on the bump for about a minute. I'll do this 2-3 times a day until it goes away, usually within a few days.

Everyone in my family uses these remedies with great results. I am happy to know that they are safe, with no side-effects. Once my son got into one of the little blue homeopathic bottles and took a bunch of them. He was around 3 years old. Dr. Kupperburg told me although it wasn't good, I need not take him to the hospital or emergency room and not to worry. What a relief!

Vaccinations - Make informed and intelligent decisions about vaccines. Not all doctors recommend vaccinating for the same things, if at all. Many believe there can be sometime serious and fatal side effects from certain vaccinations. Check out this blog post we did for information on flu shots and their potential side effects.