The Role of Science in CAM

Science is defined as the study of knowledge. For as long as there is something new to learn, science would intervene for the unquenchable search for new information and understanding. Same happens for the study of alternative medicines.

As a non-profit organization advocating on alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, The Peterson Group is often faced with numerous complaints regarding the lack of evidences on conventional medicines and questions on issues which we, admittedly, have not yet known ourselves. We call for more research and pragmatic trials which are rarely seen from treatments claiming benefits from mere touch. In gathering evidences from some of the most notorious places to use alternative medicines, we have learned how culture has been one of the biggest factors in it adaptation and success. Science is a mere coincidence as the treatment in acupuncture in China, herbs in South Korea, smoke treatments in Bangkok, Thailand and homeopathy in Jakarta, Indonesia continue to stay mainstream despite of its conventionalism.

Science is meant to be unbiased and risk culture and tradition in order to prove a treatment’s effectivity. Yet, in order for the components of an outcome to be fully measured, specific effects of the intervention and non-specific effects such as true placebo effects, cognitive measurement biases and other effects should be included.

Negative true placebo effects (‘frustrebo effects’) in the comparison group and cognitive measurement biases in the comparison group and the experimental group make the non-specific effect look like a benefit for the intervention group. However, the clinical importance of these effects is often dismissed or ignored without justification. The bottom line is that, for results from open pragmatic trials to be trusted, research is required to measure the clinical importance of true placebo effects, cognitive bias effects, and specific effects of treatments.

Science has greatly stated that just because alternative method is known to extract placebo effect which can treat a certain disease or ailment, it would immediately justify its processes. It does not even assure that all medicines claiming to be alternative are not fraudulent. Therapy should be measured on the treatment’s capability to alter physiological condition and not base on the less predictable placebo effect. Science has the critical role to make sure that all evidence is prevalent and not just a hinting thought.

Medical facts are determined through a process in which hundreds of medical practitioners and scientists are gathered for observation, deliberation and review. It is not, as they emphasize something which can be decided with a single cure of luck.

Asthmatic Remedies in Homoeopathy

Asthma is already a recurring ailment which has been considered as one of the most common especially to young kids. Since they are normally curable, they are oftentimes disregarded with fever or flu. But like flu and fevers which, if not cured immediately, can be acute. Asthma can also be chronic depending on the history of the patient as it can also be genetic.

In Asthma, the bronchial tubes narrow which makes it harder to breathe. Patients may have complaints of short of breathe and may also experience tightening of the chest, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Running, biking and any tedious activity can cause asthma attack. Dust and other small particles can also cause asthma reactions. Asthma is also often associated with allergies and other same diseases. 

Homeopathy has also proved to cure asthma or prevent it from happening. The kind of treatment depends on the status of the asthma patient. According to experts, the kind of treatment should be appropriate to on the individual’s personality. 

The Peterson Group, provider of free, unbiased health information on integrative, complementary and alternative medicines, has listed some of the most common types of homeopathic treatment for asthmatic patients.

• Aconitum

This remedy is useful at the beginning stages of onset of asthmatic breathing. Noticeably present is anxiety, fear, and restlessness with the asthma

• Arsenicum

Restlessness and anxiety are prominent with asthmatic children who need this remedy. As the asthma continues, they get more and more frightened and agitated. Their symptoms are worse from midnight to 2 a.m., and they will toss and turn in bed, unable to find a comfortablable position. Their breathing is best when sitting erect. Despite their restlessness, they are tired and weak. They are very chilly and better by warmth. They are noticeably thirsty but for only sips of water at a time.

• Chamomilla

Chamomilla is one of the most famous homeopathic treatments used to calm the nerves down, enabling the breathing to be stabilized. This medicine is mostly famous in Jakarta, Indonesia which is also used for Spa purposes as well as in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Lobelia

This remedy is known for curing asthmatic breathing concurrent with nausea and vomiting. These children usually have prickling sensations, even on the fingers and toes that precedes the asthma. The asthma is aggravated by exposure to cold. The child may feel weakness in the pit of the stomach and a sensation of a lump above the sternum (the chest bone).

The herbs used in these treatments are crushed and concocted with other natural healing medicines. Critics are also questioning the validity of these ingredients as a lot of fraudulent medicines are already circulating across the globe.

Health Professionals warns on the use of Supplements as Food Replacement

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged the importance of dietary supplements in helping people nowadays on balancing their diet. A well-planned nutrition and hydration plan positively influences healthy living. With physical training, conditioning, mental preparation and regular sleeping habits, individuals can achieve proper wellness and a fit body each one of us look after.

For some health practitioners however, dietary supplements should be dismissed from the market. However, little of them would dare cry out their concern against the dependence of many individuals, in most times athletes, to dietary supplements which leads to the abnormal process of body system. A health practitioner can lose his credibility if he starts talking against the use of dietary supplements as these drugs, medications or herbs are already a trend in society.

Advocates of the real effects of alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, The Peterson Group, has interviewed few of health professionals and had asked their opinions on health supplements’ negative effects to athletes and individuals. Most of them stated that discussing and educating the coaches and athletic trainers can be tough. Many of them do not understand that they can obtain the performance enhancement that they need from choosing the right food and nutrients.

Review shows 41% of athletes take supplements in order to gain the nutrients that they have missed out from the food that they intake. In the same review, 3% of these athletes take merely supplements and do not eat at all to gain the physique and weight they desire. This, in every sense may be very dangerous in one person’s health.

In a study conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia where most athletes and many individuals take health supplements, most of the intake medicines and herbs in whatever form have been found to contain some dangerous chemicals as well. This phenomenon occurred after a complaint was filed to an alternative product which allegedly bears some side effects.

In this ever-changing world of functional/fortified foods and nutraceuticals, differentiation of products by reliance on the label heading of either “Nutrition Facts” or “Supplement Facts” does not always assure that a product does or does not contain a dietary supplement ingredient. However, products with a “Supplement Facts” label must also include a disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.”

Despite its support to alternative and supplementary medicines, FDA still spreads warning that many of those medicines which circulates may not have passed certain tests and may cause a different or adverse effect.

Homeopathic Treatment for Genital Herpes

Having any kind of reproductive disease can be embarrassing to anyone. Without any help, it can be dangerous and risky and most of the times, infectious.

Society of today is aware of emerging genital viruses and its classifications. Symptoms are easily known and recognized thanks to former reviews on past experiences.

There is the existence of Chlamydia which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease; Gonorrhea, which causes painful liquid discharge; HIV/AIDS which is by far the most popular among the list; Syphilis which is sexually transmitted disease often happening to people with chancres or sores and many others.

One infection which has claimed its fame among these diseases is Genital Herpes. Individuals suffering this disease are experiencing eruptions of itching, burning sensation and pain in the genital area. Fortunately, like many other diseases in these present times, many resources claim treatments for this specific reproductive infection.

According to The Peterson Group, one of the leading sources for trustworthy facts and timely health news and information regarding alternative, integrative and complementary medicines, Genital Herpes has found its cure with homeopathy, a treatment which is not based in any scientific methods. Instead, this treatment is known to believe that a certain illness, disease or infection can heal on its own with little help from natural and/or experimented formula.

The following are some of these formula needed to combat genital herpes:

1. Aconitum
- This is mostly indicated in the early stages of herpes and is applied when the patient is experiencing a fever or a burning sensation in the affected area.

2. Lachesis
- Prescribed for patients with herpes to be indicated before a menstrual period.

3. Sulphur
- The nature of natural sulphur can cure recurring herpes. Many doctors advise taking three doses of Sulphur 200. While taking this medication, it is greatly suggested to keep away from coffee, raw garlic or onion or strong perfumes. Physicians are also giving out warnings to refrain from using sulphur without the advice of a medical practitioner.

4. Apis
- A temporary treatment for scrotal edema, a sensation of burning pain that is ameliorated with cold applications. This medication can also cure the tingling sensation on an individual’s genital area.

5. Sepia
- Sepia treats genital herpes in women. Symptoms include pain, and itching of the vulva, a corrosive yellowish discharge. A good cuttlefish ink which sepia is made from can be bought in large quantities in the markets of Jakarta, Indonesia. Sepia is mostly taken for 6-12 weeks depending on the gravity of the situation.

Does Homeopathy Use Steroids

This argument has been a cause of dispute and further studies by so many researchers even until today. Is it true that homeopathy contain steroids? If so, does it mean that the conservative healing method used by many people including the British royal family be harmful?

According to World Health Organization (WHO) homeopathic system is the second largest medical system in the world which originated in Germany 200 years ago. This practice is also being used by more than 60 countries around the world. India alone records 300,000 institutionally qualified homeopathic doctors. In Asia, with the combined numbers from Jakarta, Indonesia, Seoul South Korea and Cambodia, millions of cases are said to be healed by homeopathy annually.

Homeopathy is said to effective for any acute and chronic diseases and in many cases, it can treat diseases fast and clean. A statement which intrigues many is a claim which says that when a disease is healed fast through homeopathic treatment, the medicine used may have steroids in it. We do not know when and where this issue started but a lot of reviews have already been released about it.

According to studies conducted by the Peterson Group, a non-profit online community keeping track of the real effect of alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, many homeopathic clinics have lost some of their clients when the issue of using steroids was released in the press and television. Warnings were greatly imposed and many clients have been alarmed.

Homeopathic Educational Services is adamant on the widespread. The company stated, “Several known ‘quack busters’ have made reference to a letter that noted that a homeopathic medicine was found to be contaminated with a steroid. However, true to the bias that they bring to their assessment of homeopathy, they always neglect to mention that this single incidence took place in Pakistan where a lot of cases has proved the security to be lax and a lot of fraudulent medicine exchange has taken place”.

To confirm these claims, a set of doctors and researchers had gathered together to test their medicines. Methods like Liberman Buchard test, thin layer chromatography method and UV absorption method were used.

Almost all steroids show UV absorption between 235 and 240 nm in dehydrated alcohol or methanol in a clear solution. A complete spectrum of this solution is taken between 400 NM and 200 NM on a suitable spectrophotometer, if any steroid is present, it will show maximum at 240 NM. This is the right method of testing to confirm the presence of steroids and no Homoeopathic medicines have shown positive reaction.

Reiki: Quack or Not

In previous articles, we have discussed aromatherapy, yoga and other alternative and traditional medicines which claim to be good for our health and wellness even without scientific study to back them up. Still, these methods of healing and treatments have astonished even those practicing medicine that they began to integrate it on their own processes. Integrative and complementary medicines also started to emerge and patronized.

Another one that is making a name in medical practice is the Japanese method called Reiki. Rei means Universal Life while Ki would mean energy. According to researches and reviews made by The Peterson Group, this practice is not in any way affiliated with religion or religious beliefs.  This method is believed to be taken from unlimited life force supply from any living being which means that anyone can learn and do this. The only cases of fraudulent act may come from people asking for payment when doing this. It is therefore advisable to go to a legitimate practitioner.

This method is also done for free in many hospitals to help patients recuperate from an operation or illness.

It is a subtle and effective form of energy work using spiritually guided life force energy. It is believed that a person’s “ki” or energy should be strong and free flowing. When this is true a person’s body and mind is in a positive state of health. When the energy becomes weak or blocked it could lead to symptoms of physical or emotional imbalance.

A Reiki session can help ease tension and stress and can help support the body to facilitate an environment for healing on all levels – physical, mental, and emotional. A session is pleasant and relaxing and is often utilized for one’s personal wellness.

A session is usually 60 to 90 minutes long. A discussion will usually take place during an initial session with a Reiki Practitioner. They will describe the session to the client, give the client an opportunity to discuss any particular problems or issues they are experiencing and ask them what they are hoping to achieve from their session. For the actual session, the client will rest comfortably on a massage table on their back with their shoes removed. Reiki can be performed with the client sitting comfortably in a chair as well. Unlike massage therapy, no articles of clothing are removed and a client is always fully clothed; loose, comfortable clothing is suggested. A session can either be hands-on, where a Practitioner will apply a light touch during the session, or hands-off where they will hold their hands slightly above your body. If a client prefers not to be touched they can indicate this to the practitioner before they begin.

According to one practitioner in Jakarta, Indonesia states that sessions should be repeated 6-8 times to fully recover from pain or totally get rid of stress.

Introducing Antineoplastons

Antineoplastons Mechanism

The Peterson Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to identify the effects of alternative, complementary and integrative medicines to today’s health and wellness, has been featuring possible cures for cancer with proofs on its efficiency as well as its side effects. This time, we introduce another one of those treatments which are currently known to be recognized in many parts of North America and are already being further studied in other cities across the globe. Clinical labs and research facilities in Jakarta, Indonesia and Singapore are slowly opening its arms to this treatment developed in 1976 in Texas, United States: the Antineoplastons.

According to reviews, Antineoplaston therapy is an alternative therapy. Antineoplastons are chemical compounds found normally in blood and urine. They are made up of amino acids and peptides. The name is coined by Stanislaw Burzynski, MD, a Polish-trained physician who immigrated to the United States. He described the compounds as a natural form of cancer protection and began production of synthetic versions of them in his laboratory. In 1977, he opened a clinic in Houston, Texas, where he has since has been treating cancer patients with antineoplaston based therapies.

According to the clinic’s website, the treatment is a personalized cancer therapy which utilizes an understanding of each patient’s genetic make-up to unravel the biology of their cancer. Using this information, physicians attempt to identify treatment strategies that may be more effective and cause fewer side effects than would be expected with standard treatments. By performing genetic tests and analyses, these physicians customize treatment to each patient’s needs.

With its long-time operation, this kind of cancer approach has faced many criticisms. Moreover, Food and Drug Administration has already issued legal warning for the use and advertising of Antineoplaston as it is deemed to be an unapproved therapy and can be unlawful in many states. FDA has also asked Burzinsky Clinic to minimize its sale and advertising.

When it comes to the efficacy of this treatment, Burzinsky and his associates has claimed to have helped many people. However, they are not able to prove its efficacy as no one has stepped forward and claimed to have been healed. 35 years of investigation and clinical research, as it seems, may be too long to have not proven anything. American Cancer Society and Cancer Research UK among others has reached a consensus that antineoplaston therapy is unproven and the overall probability of being able to heal cancer is low due to the lack of mechanism and resources.

Investigations on the potential of this treatment are still under study despite lawsuits and many legal threats.