Alternative Medicine Blog

One of the more popular home remedies for acne is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It has been found to have anti-microbial properties, so it is often applied topically to acne lesions to kill acne-causing bacteria.

What many people don't realize about tea tree oil is that overzealously dabbing the undiluted oil onto acne lesions can irritate skin, causing as redness, blistering, overdrying, and itching. The overdrying can even worsen acne. Find out more about tea tree oil and acne, including research, tea tree oil sources, and safety concerns. Tea Tree Oil for Acne.

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photo credit: © Afonso Lima

A reader asks, "I recently heard about supplements and other products that can prevent gray hair and allow your hair to grow back in its natural color. Is there any truth in these products or are they bogus? Thanks for any input".

There is no scientific evidence that any diet, herb, supplement, or product can prevent or reverse gray hair, however, there are some underlying conditions that can cause hair to go prematurely gray and some ancient approaches you might be interested in. Read the full answer, Help for Gray Hair

Many diets come and go, but the Master Cleanse, also known as the lemonade diet, seems to be here to stay. Although the liquid diet was first created in the 1940s to treat various health ailments and improve health, it's become popular as a way to lose. Several celebrities, such as pop star Beyonce Knowles, have publicly stated that they've used the Master Cleanse to lose weight. Find out more about the Master Cleanse, learn about the possible side effects and safety concerns, and see a sample Master Cleanse recipe.

• The Master Cleanse: What You Need to Know
  
• The Master Cleanse recipe

Shiatsu has been called one of the hottest new massage trends. But while shiatsu may have become popular in recent years at spas and health clinics in North America, it has been used in Asia for thousands of years.

The word shiatsu means "finger pressure". Like acupuncture, it is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") through the body. Find out more about shiatsu, what it is used for, and what it feels like...What is Shiatsu?

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photo credit: © Jupiter Images

Almost everyone has back pain at some point in their lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain is the second most common neurological disorder in the United States—only headache is more common.

But while the standard treatment options for back pain used to be rest, long-term medication, and surgery, there are now many natural alternatives that can help to relieve pain.

And unlike pain medication, which temporarily reduces symptoms but often comes with unwanted drug side effects, most of these natural alternatives are gentle and address the underlying problem.

So if you want to start relieving your back pain today, take a look at these 15 natural remedies for back pain.

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• Back Pain and Pregnancy
  
  
• 5 Remedies for Osteoarthritis Pain
  

One of the most embarrassing questions people have about massage is what to wear during the massage. Do you remove your underwear, keep them on, or change into a thong or brief? Vote here, and find out what everyone else does!

Poll: What do you wear during massage?

• I wear my regular underwear.
• I wear special undergarments, such as a thong or swim briefs.
• Nothing. I remove all my clothing.
• View Results

Vinpocetine (pronounced vin-poe-ce-teen) is a synthetic compound derived from the lesser periwinkle plant. Although it's not very well known in North America, vinpocetine has been used in Europe since the 1960s to slow brain aging, improve memory and cognition and to treat tinnitus.

In fact, vinpocetine is a prescription drug in Europe and also in Japan, but in the United States and Canada, it's available in health food stores, some drug stores and online as a dietary supplement. Learn more about vinpocetine, including the benefits, studies, side effects and possible safety concerns. What You Need to Know About Vinpocetine

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Acupressure is a traditional healing therapy that involves the application of finger pressure to specific acupuncture points on the body. Pressing on the various points is thought to promote circulation to the area, ease muscle tension, and stimulate the body's inherent healing ability.

Here is a demonstration of an easy acupressure sequence that you can try at home or the office. It's geared to people who have arm tension and aches from prolonged typing, writing, or any other repetitive movement. Acupressure for Repetitive Strain.

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• What is Acupressure?
  
• Acupressure for Nausea

Intestinal bloating and flatulence can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. While it can be a sign of a medical condition, which is why consulting your healthcare provider should always be the first step, it often has a simple cause that can be addressed naturally.

Find out about some of the more common causes of intestinal bloating and flatulence and learn about simple natural remedies that may help. Continue reading the article, What Can I Do For Bloating and Flatulence?

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If you've ever used essential oils, you know how enticing the scents can be. It's really easy to use a few extra drops here and there because a particular fragrance smells so wonderful. But these concentrated plant oils are really potent, and using larger amounts or using them improperly can cause problems. Play it safe by following these tips on how to use essential oils safely.

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photo credit: © I M Birchall