Natural Medicine
How Natural Medicine Works
Natural medicine, also known as orthomolecular medicine (meaning the good molecule at the right quantity and in the right place), is a kind of alternative medicine. It addresses the root of many symptoms. Healing is addressed by the utilization of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics and herb based formulas. Natural medicine is the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which are natural to the body’s biochemistry. Symptoms and pain are the manner in which our body attempts to get our attention. By discovering the need and then elevating the nutrient which is lacking the body heals. We are a biochemical organism this is the reason the results can be so dramatic.
The discovery of the correlation between disease and the lack of a nutrient is by no means new. The first person to show a direct link between disease and a lack of a specific nutrient was James Lind, a physician in the British navy. He noted that sailors on long voyages without rations containing citrus fruits developed bleeding gums, rough skin, poor muscle tension, and slow-healing wounds, all symptoms characteristic of scurvy. In 1757 he began a controlled experiment and supplied sailors with lemons, limes, and oranges. Low and behold, scurvy was prevented. Today, it is well known that scurvy is due to vitamin C deficiency (more specifically – ascorbic acid). This is nothing else but biochemistry which helps the body maintain its homeostasis (balance or equilibrium).
Example of other nutrients which have been discovered to reverse or prevent dis-ease:
- Beriberi – lack of vitamin B1 (thiamin); discovered 1893
- Heart disease – lack of vitamin E (in addition to other factors); discovered 1933
- Some viral and bacterial diseases – need high dosage of vitamin C; discovered 1950
- Schizophrenia – need high dosage of vitamin B3 (niacin); discovered 1950’s
- Spina bifida – lack of folic acid while mother is pregnant; discovered in 1970’s
- Colon cancer – need high dosages of vitamin B6; discovered in 2003
Example of nutrient correlations I have witnessed:
- Lack of Potassium – can lead to an intolerance to diary products, high blood pressure (sodium is erroneously blamed), water retention (edema), passing out, extreme fatigue, weak legs, heart palpitations and sciatica on the right side
- Lack of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) – can lead to stomach digestion disorders, low blood sugar, loss of hair
- Lack of Magnesium – can lead to gallbladder stones, kidney stones, constipation, nervousness, wheat intolerance, muscle cramps, heart palpitations
- Lack of Sodium – can lead to excessive tearing of the eyes, Bell’s Palsy, depression, extreme dry mouth, excessive perspiration, sciatica on the left side
- Lack of Sulfur – can lead to eczema and dermatitis, poor nail growth, fat intolerance, fatty liver, high cholesterol
There are many other correlations between a deficiency and specific symptoms. It is important to clarify that many of the nutrients which are lacking need to be replaced at therapeutic levels. The RDA (recommended daily allowance) is not enough to give the results needed.
Something to consider; none of us has ever been deficient in a particular pharmaceutical drug because it does not naturally occur in our biochemistry. Therefore it makes sense to pursue discovering what nutritional imbalances are at the root of your ailments.
