Hispanics embrace naturopathy

Newsday recently published an online article discussing the growing popularity of alternative medicine among Hispanics. Dr. Melissa Robinson, a 2003 graduate of The National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR, said she discovered early in her practice, that Hispanics were drawn toward this type of medicine, and Hispanics now make up the majority of her patients.

Robinson's business, Natural Solutions for Health, uses a variety of alternative treatments including nutritional counseling, diet and exercise planning, thermal massage and dietary supplements. She implements these practices to heal the body without prescription drugs or invasive surgeries.

Robinson's philosophy of using herbs and natural cures is one that many people from Latin America are quick to embrace, said Ingrid Fallaque, Robinson's translator and intermediary with the Hispanic community. Many Hispanics are familiar with natural remedies from their own countries and feel more safe using them than taking pills, said Fallaque, who is from Peru.

Robinson said the philosophy of naturopathic doctors focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Robinson did say, however, that since some insurance companies do not cover her work, she often has trouble connecting her patients with low-cost access to specialists for X-rays, blood work, MRIs and other services.

It comes as no surprise that minorities are picking up on alternative medicine, since it’s often more cost efficient for lower income individuals than traditional medicine. As health care costs continue to rise, it is likely that lower-income individuals and those without health care coverage will begin to rapidly embrace this type of treatment, as they have already. The rising cost of health insurance is likely to stimulate business for those who practice alternative treatment.

"I feel like we're really fulfilling a need in the community," Robinson said. "They're helping me, so I can build this business."

Shielding ourselves from sickness

It’s that time of year again—cold season, and according to a recent article, students who are cramped in small living quarters are often the primary victims of the airborne common cold.

Instead of traditional medicine, Priya Raj investigates how alternative medicine could ward off the common cold, without ever having to see a doctor.

The evolving public interest in complementary medicine has led to increased awareness among general practitioners with roughly 68% practicing such therapies; herbal medicine being the most common for treating symptoms of the common cold.

The article indicates that one of the oldest herbs used to treat the common cold is Echinacea, “arguably one of the most recognized herbal supplements for the prevention and treatment of colds and flu.”

Alternative Medicine Review reported last year that the plant may demonstrate immune-supportive properties. There is however a clear controversy within the medical community regarding the effectiveness of Echinacea; however, the herb has been used for hundreds of years, and people today still remain optimistic about its benefits.

The article also discusses the use of Elderberry, or Sambucus nigra, in treating the common cold. As a member of the honeysuckle family, extracts of the berries of the plants have been used primarily as antiviral agents for colds, influenza, and Herpes virus infections. “Various research demonstrates that this botanical possesses immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. The berries have also been found to contain vitamins A and C.”

Since the article states that students seem to be primary victims of the common cold, students should look into alternative treatments as a method of prevention. Most students live off of very little income and some no longer have health insurance coverage. Most of the herbal supplements discusses in the article can be purchased over the counter at the local Walgreen's, which surely beats the cost of a doctor’s visit.

But students shouldn’t refrain from seeing a doctor if they do become sick, especially since the common cold is spread so easily. Once you’re sick, you’re sick; however, preparing your body to fight the common cold through vitamins and herbs can only support your immune system and prepare your body to rid itself of ailments that much easier.

Keeping our fingers crossed

People are finally catching on—and it only took a few thousand centuries.

Alternative treatments like acupuncture, meditation and yoga have assisted people for ages by providing stress and pain relief and ultimately enhancing their quality of life. A recent USA Today article reports that the Pentagon is now taking a look into holistic healing, which actually credits the area of alternative medicine, as it’s often subjected to scrutiny among the medical community.

Dr. S. Ward Casscells, the Pentagon's assistant secretary for health affairs, told USA Today he pushed hard for the new research as an effort to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an increasing number of suicides among Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans. Casscells told USA Today reporters, “We are increasing willing to take a hard look at even soft therapies.”

The research will see whether the alternatives work so the Pentagon can use them more, said Army Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, head of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Many of the treatments have been used for centuries, Sutton said, "so it just makes sense to bring all potential therapies to bear."

“Whatever it takes” is now the mentality of our government. It’s the government’s responsibility to do everything it can protect veterans, and if the real deal (traditional medicine) isn’t working, that means looking into non-traditional treatments.

The Pentagon’s research into alternative treatment is a last resort, but could be very promising if the research can lessen the number of suicides among veterans. The medical community has given alternative treatments a bad rep, but the fact that our government is now considering such practices opens people’s minds to these types of treatments. If the research does prove effective, it will mean a breakthrough for alternative medicine, which could lead to hospitals and clinics offering alternative treatments in the future.

Hooray for Holistic Healing! Let’s just keep our fingers crossed.