Although I have an LLMD who is a bit old school (as I've said before), that doesn't mean that I don't endorse the use of any alternative treatment. Given my increasing intolerance to antibiotics, I may have to try more alternative treatment in the future, so this is something I am investigating.
I realize it's not a perfect world, and I wish everything was tested under double-blind random controlled studies, but I don't forsee that happening in the near future. If you're dealing with an illness now and want to try an alternative treatment, protect yourself by using treatments which have some research to back them, are not being sold as panaceas, and forewarn you of the potential for side effects, drug interactions, and risks. Avoid the overpriced and look for the most effective for the price, and start on a small dose if you don't know how it will affect you.
When at all possible, begin taking alternative medicine while under the care of a qualified and certified medical professional - either a regular physician who will regularly monitor your blood chemistry including liver function test and kidney panel, or a naturopath from a licensed degreed program such as Bastyr University in Washington State. (Note that there are only two universities in the US which have naturopathic graduate degrees and Bastyr has a rigorous curriculum.)
Three links I really find of use on alternative medicine:
Planet Thrive: Stephen Buhner on Lyme:
http://planetthrive.com/category/experts/buhner/
Stephen Buhner wrote the book, Healing Lyme, which besides having an herbal protocol for treating Lyme Disease also has a pretty good write-up on the lifecycle of Borrelia burgdorferi. For an herbal treatment book, it is amazingly well researched and does not do a hard sell; it comes with a list of benefits and potential side effects users may experience. The web site listed here is an extension of this, and Buhner has taken on individual patients' questions on his site. He does not see private clients and is paid nothing for this work.
The University of Maryland Medical Center Alternative Treatment Database: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/
Here is a link to one of the most comprehensive alternative medicine treatment databases online. Look up various treatment types (acupuncture, herbalism, aromatherapy, etc.), herbs, and supplements. Learn about different conditions and how herbs and supplements are used for treating them. Look up drug interactions, side effects, and warnings here - and ask a doctor and/or pharmacist for confirmation.
Bastyr University: http://www.bastyr.edu/
Bastyr University in Washington State is a non-profit, private university offering both graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine. The University is recognized globally for its curriculum and research.
Disclaimers: I don't assume that everything at these sites is correct. I am not responsible for content. I endorse these sites as an improvement over many other alternative sites that have been available due to their own disclosures on side effects, detailed reports, and the use of citations.
Read More I realize it's not a perfect world, and I wish everything was tested under double-blind random controlled studies, but I don't forsee that happening in the near future. If you're dealing with an illness now and want to try an alternative treatment, protect yourself by using treatments which have some research to back them, are not being sold as panaceas, and forewarn you of the potential for side effects, drug interactions, and risks. Avoid the overpriced and look for the most effective for the price, and start on a small dose if you don't know how it will affect you.
When at all possible, begin taking alternative medicine while under the care of a qualified and certified medical professional - either a regular physician who will regularly monitor your blood chemistry including liver function test and kidney panel, or a naturopath from a licensed degreed program such as Bastyr University in Washington State. (Note that there are only two universities in the US which have naturopathic graduate degrees and Bastyr has a rigorous curriculum.)
Three links I really find of use on alternative medicine:
Planet Thrive: Stephen Buhner on Lyme:
http://planetthrive.com/category/experts/buhner/
Stephen Buhner wrote the book, Healing Lyme, which besides having an herbal protocol for treating Lyme Disease also has a pretty good write-up on the lifecycle of Borrelia burgdorferi. For an herbal treatment book, it is amazingly well researched and does not do a hard sell; it comes with a list of benefits and potential side effects users may experience. The web site listed here is an extension of this, and Buhner has taken on individual patients' questions on his site. He does not see private clients and is paid nothing for this work.
The University of Maryland Medical Center Alternative Treatment Database: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/
Here is a link to one of the most comprehensive alternative medicine treatment databases online. Look up various treatment types (acupuncture, herbalism, aromatherapy, etc.), herbs, and supplements. Learn about different conditions and how herbs and supplements are used for treating them. Look up drug interactions, side effects, and warnings here - and ask a doctor and/or pharmacist for confirmation.
Bastyr University: http://www.bastyr.edu/
Bastyr University in Washington State is a non-profit, private university offering both graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine. The University is recognized globally for its curriculum and research.
Disclaimers: I don't assume that everything at these sites is correct. I am not responsible for content. I endorse these sites as an improvement over many other alternative sites that have been available due to their own disclosures on side effects, detailed reports, and the use of citations.
