Alternative Medicine for People of Faith

Most people of faith, such as Christianity shy away from the use of alternative medicine for fear that it may compromise their beliefs. Some may even associate alternative medicine with magic or other religions. Though some of that can be true, however there are many forms of alternative or natural medicine.

Looking at alternative medicine defined, a quick Google search, Wikipedia defines alternative medicine as any of a range of medical therapies that are not regarded as orthodox by the medical profession, such as herbalism, homeopathy,and acupuncture. The Webster dictionary defines it as any of various systems of healing or treating disease that are not included in the traditional curricula taught in medical schools of the United States and Britain.

That being said, alternative medicine has been around since the dawn of time.It is in every culture,faith and religion world wide. Most people have used some form of alternative medicine without realizing it. Home remedies is just another form of natural medicine. Most people use plants, herbs and spices in their homes on a daily basis. They use other things such as oils, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and various kinds of alcohol as natural treatment foe various ailments.

As for Christianity, we should take a look at what the Bible says about medicine, plants, herbs and healing. In Genesis 1:29 the bible refers to every herb, plant and tree bearing seed and fruit shall be our meat. It also says that every beast and fowl that creepeth upon the earth shall have every green herb for meat. If we go on to Exodus 15:26 it states that if we listen to the voice of God and follow his commandments and keep all his statues, he wont put and diseases upon us. Research has shown that those that have a faith based religion and pray tend to recover from an illness or injury much sooner than those who don’t.

Continuing through out the bible you will find many more scriptures that refer to oils and wine for healing. In 1 Timothy 5:23 tell us to drink wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. The bible tell us many things about what to use for our health.

We often think of our health as a separate issue from our faith, career and our mental state. However, if our health is in poor standing, then our thoughts are foggy and disoriented. If our thoughts are unclear then we have difficulties in our careers. When we develop difficulties in our careers we can’t work to the best of our abilities and so on. In Proverbs 23:7 tells us as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. In Philippians 4:8-9 says to think on things of good report. Things that we have learned, received and heard, and seen in him, do. Psalm 1:2 tells us to meditate day and night.

In our search for balance in every day life we must consider that all things are connected. Our mind, body and soul can all work in unison. This balance can include work life as well as our faith in a greater power such as God or the universe if that is part of your belief system.

Recommended Therapies

Yoga is a combination of exercises, meditation, and breathing techniques. It originated in India and is said to have been practiced over 5,000 years ago. Yoga is one of those therapies that stir up some controversy among the christian community because of it’s relation to other religions such as Hinduism. However, if your heart is with God and you meditate day and night on him and you aren’t trying to conjure up any other deities you should be safe.

Herbal medicine is a great one to star with. There is no compromise here. However, there are some who use herbs for magic and casting spells. They are used as tools in their belief system. As a christian plants and herbs were given to us as meat.

Aromatherapy is plant based oils that are used for our physical and psychological well-being. These oils and incense were used by Egyptians 3000 years BC in every day life for healing rituals, preserving and as perfumes. Again used mostly as a tool and healing.

References

Wikipedia.org

Merrian-webster.com

University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality & Healing csh.umn.edu

The Holy Bible KJV