Anthroposophical medicine: a research based extension to conventional medicine

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Douch
Keyword(s):  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Anthroposophical Medicine

In Vivo Wound Healing Activity of Spirulina platensis

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 06-16
Author(s):  
R. Seghiri ◽  
A. Essamri
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Spirulina Platensis ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Chemical Burns ◽  
Amount Of Substance ◽  
Test Population ◽  
Wound Healing Activity

Spirulina is a microalga used in traditional folk medicine in Morocco for the treatment of various health disorders. The wound healing activity of Moroccan Spirulina is unknown. In the current study, aqueous extracts of Spirulina platensis were investigated for acute toxicity and wound healing activity in Swiss Albino mice and White New Zealand rabbits, respectively. The LD50 (amount of substance required to kill 50% of the test population) of the microalga was greater than 5,000 mg/kg. Healing after application of the same amount of ointment on differently induced (mechanical, chemical, and thermal) wounds was about the same, over five weeks. Aqueous extract had remarkable healing activity on rabbits’ skin, possessing significantly greater healing effect for mechanical and chemical burns than controls. Moreover, the hair growing time was faster in treated groups; Spirulina-treated groups did not show any contamination with microbes compared to others. This study affirms that Spirulina platensis can be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for wound healing not only as a complementary medicine but also in conventional medicine.

In Silico Studies on Anti-Stress Compounds of Ethanolic Root Extract of Hemidesmus indicus L.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 502-515
Author(s):  
Jayasimha R. Daddam ◽  
Basha Sreenivasulu ◽  
Katike Umamahesh ◽  
Kotha Peddanna ◽  
Dowlathabad M. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Ethanolic Extract ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Root Extract ◽  
Hemidesmus Indicus ◽  
In Silico Studies

Background: Alternative medicine is available for those diseases which cannot be treated by conventional medicine. Ayurveda and herbal medicines are important alternative methods in which the treatment is done with extracts of different medicinal plants. This work is concerned with the evaluation of anti-stress bioactive compounds from the ethanolic root extract of Hemidesmus indicus. Methods: Gas chromatography and Mass Spectrum studies are used to identify the compounds present in the ethanolic extract based on the retention time, area. In order to perform docking studies, Vasopressin model is generated using modeling by Modeller 9v7. Vasopressin structure is developed based on the crystal structure of neurophysin-oxytocin from Bos taurus (PDB ID: 1NPO_A) collected from the PDB data bank. Using molecular dynamics simulation methods, the final predicted structure is obtained and further analyzed by verifying 3D and PROCHECK programs, confirmed that the final model is reliable. The identified compounds are docked to vasopressin for the prediction of anti-stress activity using GOLD 3.0.1 software. Results: The predicted model of Vasopressin structure is stabilized and confirmed that it is a reliable structure for docking studies. The results indicated ARG4, THR7, ASP9, ASP26, ALA32, ALA 80 in Vasopressin are important determinant residues in binding as they have strong hydrogen bonding with phytocompounds. Among the 21 phytocompounds identified and docked, molecule Deoxiinositol, pentakis- O-(trimethylsilyl) showed the best docking results with Vasopressin. Conclusion: The identified compounds were used for anti-stress activity by insilico method with Vasopressin which plays an important role in causing stress and hence selected for inhibitory studies with phytocompounds. The phytocompounds are inhibiting vasopressin through hydrogen bodings and are important in protein-ligand interactions. Docking results showed that out of twenty-one compounds, Deoxiinositol, pentakis-O-(trimethylsilyl) showed best docking energy to the Vasopressin.

Anthroposophical Medicine: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials

2004 ◽  
Vol 116 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 407-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunver S. Kienle ◽  
Harald J. Hamre ◽  
Helmm Kiene
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomised Clinical Trials ◽  
Anthroposophical Medicine

scholarly journals Integrative Treatment of Lung Cancer Patients: Observational Study of 57 Cases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Anelli ◽  
Alessia Di Nardo ◽  
Massimo Bonucci
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Integrative Therapy ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Retrospective Clinical Study

Abstract Introduction A retrospective clinical study was performed to identify the characteristics of patients with lung cancer treated with integrative cancer treatment in addition to conventional medicine. Materials and Methods We reviewed medical records for lung cancer patients who visited a single integrative setting in Rome, Italy. A total of 57 patients were included, and the majority had advanced-stage cancer. All of them underwent integrative therapy with nutrition and phytotherapy indications. The diet was designed to reduce most of possible factors promoting cancer proliferation, inflammation, and obesity. Foods with anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, antioxidant, and anticancer properties had been chosen. Herbal supplements with known effects on lung cancer were prescribed. In particular, astragal, apigenine, fucosterol, polydatin, epigallocatechin gallate, cannabis, curcumin, and inositol were used. Furthermore, medical mushrooms and other substances were used to improve the immune system and to reduce chemotherapy side effects. Five key parameters have been evaluated for 2 years starting at the first surgery: nutritional status, immune status, discontinuation of therapy, quality of life, and prognosis of the disease. Results A relevant improvement in parameters relative to nutritional status, immune status, and quality of life has been observed after integrative therapy compared with the same parameters at the first medical visit before starting such approach. Conclusion The results suggest that integrative therapy may have benefits in patients with lung cancer. Even though there are limitations, the study suggests that integrative therapy could improve nutritional status and quality of life, with possible positive effect on overall survival.

scholarly journals Thoughts, beliefs and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine – a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Mittring-Junghans ◽  
C. Holmberg ◽  
C. M. Witt ◽  
M. Teut
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Scarlet Fever ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Vaccination Schedule ◽  
Anthroposophic Medicine ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
Childhood Diseases ◽  
Child Relationship

Abstract Background Physicians who include complementary medicine in their practice are thought to have an understanding of health and disease different from that of colleagues practicing conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the thoughts and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis and scarlet fever) of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine. Methods This qualitative study used semistructured interviews. Participating physicians were either general practitioners or pediatricians. Data collection and analysis were guided by a grounded theory approach. Results Eighteen physicians were interviewed (6 homeopathic, 6 anthroposophic and 6 conventional). All physicians agreed that while many classic infectious childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella are rarely observed today, other diseases, such as chickenpox and scarlet fever, are still commonly diagnosed. All interviewed physicians vaccinated against childhood diseases. A core concern for physicians practicing conventional medicine was the risk of complications of the diseases. Therefore, it was considered essential for them to advise their patients to strictly follow the vaccination schedule. Homeopathic-oriented physicians viewed acute disease as a biological process necessary to strengthen health, fortify the immune system and increase resistance to chronic disease. They tended to treat infectious childhood diseases with homeopathic remedies and administered available vaccines as part of individual decision-making approaches with parents. For anthroposophic-oriented physicians, infectious childhood diseases were considered a crucial factor in the psychosocial growth of children. They tended to treat these diseases with anthroposophic medicine and underlined the importance of the family’s resources. Informing parents about the potential benefits and risks of vaccination was considered important. All physicians agreed that parent-delivered loving care of a sick child could benefit the parent-child relationship. Additionally, all recognized that existing working conditions hindered parents from providing such care for longer durations of time. Conclusions The interviewed physicians agreed that vaccines are an important aspect of modern pediatrics. They differed in their approach regarding when and what to vaccinate against. The different conceptual understandings of infectious childhood diseases influenced this decision-making. A survey with a larger sample would be needed to verify these observations.

scholarly journals Natural Product Nitric Oxide Chemistry: New Activity of Old Medicines

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Ashley C. Torregrossa ◽  
Deepa K. Parthasarathy ◽  
Nathan S. Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Preventative Care ◽  
Current State ◽  
No Bioavailability ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Nitrate And Nitrite ◽  
Care Measure

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a therapy and preventative care measure for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may prove to be beneficial when used in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicine. However, the lack of understanding of a mechanism of action of many CAMs limits their use and acceptance in western medicine. We have recently recognized and characterized specific nitric oxide (NO) activity of select alternative and herbal medicines that may account for many of their reported health benefits. The ability of certain CAM to restore NO homeostasis both through enhancing endothelial production of NO and by providing a system for reducing nitrate and nitrite to NO as a compensatory pathway for repleting NO bioavailability may prove to be a safe and cost-effective strategy for combating CVD. We will review the current state of science behind NO activity of herbal medicines and their effects on CVD.

Liberalising Health-seeking Behaviour of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect in Manicaland, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
pp. 097206342110652
Author(s):  
Steven Masvaure
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Religious Sects ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
Apostolic Church

Religious rights as enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution are sacrosanct, however, when church doctrine bars followers from seeking modern medical care, they start infringing on health rights especially of the ‘lesser beings’ the women and children who are members of these religious sects. The ‘lesser beings’ are bearing the brunt of high maternal and neonatal mortality as they depend on unsafe traditional birth attendants and unconventional medicine. This study is ethnographic and presents lessons learnt from a programme aiming to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes among the Apostolic Church of Johanne Marange members in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe. The findings show that despite the stringent doctrine and barriers placed on apostolic members who want to access conventional medicine, the women and children are using clandestine approaches to circumvent the doctrine and barriers. This article argues that a barrage of unconventional and conventional approaches can lead to changes in health-seeking behaviour of the apostolic church and ultimately maternal and child health outcomes. The article argues that the intransigence of the apostolic can only be overcome by covert approaches to providing health services and save lives.

scholarly journals Patient Journeys of Nonintegration in Hungary: A Qualitative Study of Possible Reasons for Considering Medical Modalities as Mutually Exclusive

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1270-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szilvia Zörgő ◽  
Olga L. Olivas Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Health Care Market ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Therapy Choice ◽  
Health And Illness ◽  
Cam Use

Introduction: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been increasing in the past decades in tandem with changes regarding the notions of health and illness. Comparing conventional medicine (CM) and CAM in how they address health problems has been a point of focus for both the health sciences and individuals dealing with health problems. Various social, cultural, political, economic, and personal factors play a role in whether different health approaches are integrated or not when addressing illness experiences. Methods: The qualitative study comprised semistructured interviews (N = 9) and participant observation involving 105 patients conducted between January 2015 and May 2017 at 4 clinics of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Budapest, Hungary. Code structures were created inductively with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: The mutually exclusive view of CM/CAM use occurred due to loss of trust in the doctor-patient relationship causing problems in communication, and also as a result of the patient espousing certain cultural dispositions. Significant dispositions included a preference for the “natural” and psychologization, the latter often manifested in psychosocial etiology, vitalism, and illness symbolism. Discussion: A polarized choice of therapy may occur as a result of a competitive health care market in which medical modalities and their underlying cultural systems compete within a global milieu of information proliferation and a hybridization of individual worldviews. Through a process of “cultural creolization”, changing concepts of health and illness create varying patient expectations and meanings regarding illness, which in turn affect therapy choice as well. Conclusion: Mirrored in the articulation of an individual’s illness trajectory is a tension that is also reflected in the struggles in the health care system to more adequately understand health/illness processes from a pluralistic perspective. The power relations in the health arena (among CAM/CM practitioners and systems) play a role in legitimizing or undermining different health practices, which as consequence affects the possibility of integrating them into the processes of care. Thus, therapy choice is not only linked to changing notions of health and illness, but also to shifting conceptualizations of self, identity, and the practitioner-patient relationship.

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