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Chapter-09 Indigenous Alternative System of Medicines

BOOK TITLE: Comprehensive Community Health Nursing

Author
1. Correia Cecy
ISBN
9789350251621
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11346_9
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2011
Pages
19
Author Affiliations
1. Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Sandor, Bangli, Vasai (W), Thane, Maharashtra, India, Uday General School of Nursing, Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Sandor, Bangli, Vasai (W), Thane, Maharashtra, India, Uday General School of Nursing Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Sandor, Bangli, Vasai (W), Thane, Maharashtra, India
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Human body is the nature’s highest evolution. It is a machine unmatched in its design, unparalleled in the integrity of its functional systems and unfathomable in the depth of subtle and natural emotions. Human body keeps working day and night for 70–80 years. The man has so far not devised such as efficient machine, which can work so effectively and for such a length of time. It has its own devices to make and break and healing phenomenon. The human body is a perfect machine, which can regulate itself, provided the natural rules of food, work and rest are observed. When we transgress natural rules, we create toxins in the body, which the body attempts to get rid of. This attempt is considered as disease and is given different names according to different symptoms. Of all kinds of happiness the best happiness is good health. The greatest wonder in this cosmos is the human body. Nature has provided in our body an inbuilt mechanism to maintain and to repair. For centuries, traditional healers have taken care of the health needs of their own community as a part of their social responsibility. They have used the knowledge that has been passed down the generations regarding the medicinal value for locally available herbs and plants. This tradition still continues, particularly in the rural pockets of the country. People choose, prefer some times the natural alternative therapies to synthetic medications and their desire to control the allopathic toxicities. Also to control undesirable side effects that the drugs have they want to lessen them clients turn to the different alternative systems of medicines and find solace. The allopathic approach to medical treatment is characterized by attempts to fight, remove or eradicate causative agents that are germs, allergens, and defective parts and to suppress symptoms. On the other hand, the indigenous and homeopathic systems aim towards restoring balances and flows in the person without considering the parts separately. The latter approach is called holistic. Realistically speaking, each approach has certain strengths and weaknesses. The golden rule is to test everything in the light of reasons and experience, no matter from whom it comes. It must complement it and which can be used profitably for the benefit of wellness and healing. Complementary Health treatment has been rapidly growing in popularity over recent years. The use of indigenous systems of medicines is widespread and growing. There is the increasing popularity worldwide of complementary medicines reflects the changing attitudes and needs of the population.

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