Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Your Child

By Nivedita Saini

Treatments through CAM are based on some common principles and basic philosophies, the first one being, that the key to good health is prevention. CAM practitioners believe that the body has the ability to heal itself if facilitated through CAM. They have faith in the conviction that learning and healing go hand in hand. Lastly they accept as true the fact that, the physical and spiritual needs are interconnected and collectively responsible for the overall wellbeing of a person.

There is no precise classification of CAM. However, the broad categories of CAM are spelt out below:

•Healing systems are complementary systems of medicine namely Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy and Ancient medicine practices.

•Dietary supplements and herbal remedies use ingredients found in nature to treat diseases.

•Mind-body connection techniques which include meditation, yoga, biofeedback, prayer, hypnosis and relaxation and art therapies such as poetry, music and dance help to bring the two systems in harmony, which is a pre-requisite to good health.

•Energy therapies such as Therapeutic touch, Reiki, Magnetic, Polarity and Light therapies, Acupuncture help to restore and balance the bodies natural energy (chi, prana), thus eliminating sickness.

•Manipulation and touch methods use human touch to move or manipulate a specific part of body. They include chiropractic and spinal manipulation, massage osteopathy and acupressure.

CAM has proved very effective in tandem with conventional medicines to cure many ailments in children like cough, cold, fever and aches. Some CAM cures for these complaints are listed below:

Fever: Aromatherapy cures fever by the use of Eucalyptus oil (massage and bathing) as it has a cooling effect on the body. General immune support with nutrition and herbs (coneflower, yarrow, white willow bark, lemon balm, spearmint, catnip and elder) is known to assuage fever. Homeopathic medicines like Aconitum, Apis mellifica, Belladonna, Bryonia and Ferrum phosphoricum are sure shot remedies to alleviate fever. Acupuncture is helpful in curing fever.

Common Cold: There are many CAM therapies used to treat colds. Natural Health Products are widely used for prevention and treatment of common cold. Examples include herbals, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, amino acids and traditional medicines. Andrographis paniculata and Echinacea are common herbs used to treat and prevent cold. Probiotics are consumed as dietary supplements or added to foods such as yogurt and used to eliminate cold. Hydro therapy, Stress management techniques, Guided Imagery and Psychological interventions are effective in shortening the length of cold.

Sore Throat: Alternative treatments focus on easing the symptoms of sore throat using herbs. Aroma therapists recommend inhaling the fragrances of essential oils of lavender, thyme, eucalyptus, sage and sandalwood. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest gargling with a mixture of water, salt, and turmeric powder. Herbalists recommend drinking ginger tea for pain. Homeopaths may treat sore throats with super dilute solutions of Lachesis, Belladonna and Phytolacca, yellow jasmine or mercury.

Stomach Disorders: The CAM cure for loss of appetite and stomach disorders in children is a dietary supplement called Woodworm. Wormwood is a shrubby perennial plant, native to Europe, Africa and America whose upper shoots, flowers, and leaves are used in herbal remedies.

Aches: Aromatherapy recommends cold compresses or steam inhalation of Lavender Oil to relieve headaches. A bath or massage with Sage Oil can relieve muscle aches. Various therapies of Naturopathy help in minimizing aches and pains.

There is lack of evidence about CAM treatments. Remember that CAM treatments aren't a substitute for conventional medical care, but used wisely they may help to promote a sense of well-being.