Daily Archives: September 18, 2020

ON SEPTEMBER 6, Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja reportedly endorsed a study which said that homoeopathic prophylactics were effective against Covid-19. It said that only a few of those who had taken the prophylactic contracted Covid-19 and they, too, recovered soon. The study was carried out in Covid-hotspot Pathanamthitta district, where Arsenicum Album 30C was distributed among 90 per cent of residents. The study aimed to assess the efficacy of the said homoeopathy medicine as an immunity booster. Shailaja later clarified that she neither said that homoeopathy medicines could be used to treat Covid-19 nor stated that the study had been scientifically proven. But by then, the damage was doneit had created a rift in the state medical community.

AYUSH treatments have often been questioned over their safety and efficacy, especially given the lack of robust, empirical studies in their defence.

While the state unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) opposed Shailajas initial statement, homoeopathy practitioners came out in her support. The row has put the spotlight on the debate over the efficacy of alternative medicine to allopathic medicine in the fight against Covid-19, especially at a time when cases are rising and restrictions are being relaxed to open up the economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repeatedly asked people to follow advisories issued by the ministry of AYUSH, which suggested a range of home remedies to boost immunity, including consumption of turmeric, honey, ginger and other concoctions. AYUSH treatments have often been questioned over their safety and efficacy, especially given the lack of robust, empirical studies in their defence.

On August 15, the ministry launched a three-month campaign, aimed at increasing awareness about affordable and easy practices that can be adopted for enhancing immunity and preventing any disease. Yet, more than six months after the first case of Covid-19 hit the country, acceptance for AYUSH practices, at best, remains divided on the ground.

For instance, Dr Amol Rawande, a homoeopath based in Nanded in rural Maharashtra, believes that homoeopathy can help fight Covid-19. He said that he had prescribed homoeopathic medicines to more than 400 Covid-positive patients. In the case of a mild to moderate symptomatic patient, Ferrum Phos 6X, Bryonia Alba and Veratrum Viride help in preventing the onset of a cytokine storm, a severe immune reaction, he said. I believe homoeopathy is apt to fight Covid-19 as it works with the immune system, which is most at risk from the virus.

But back in Mumbai, Dr L.M. Parashar, ENT surgeon at Apollo Spectra Hospital, had a different tale to tell. Before lockdown, about two to three per cent of OPD patients were suffering from mouth ulcers. Post lockdown, there has been an increase in patients with symptoms such as redness of the mouth, burning sensation and itching, he said. This is because people are constantly drinking homemade concoctions, made without proper ingredients, instead of water, he reasoned. This has led to the rawness of oral mucosa, he said. The point is not to completely ignore or reject alternative medicine, but to consume it correctly and in conjunction with the correct diet and lifestyle, which people are not doing.

The problem with accepting the efficacy of AYUSH remedies, said paediatrician Dr Amol Annadate, was that none of the claims had been proved. There are no trials conducted either for ayurvedic kadhas or homoeopathic medicines like Arsenicum Album 30C, said Annadate, who also owns and runs an ayurveda medical college in Aurangabad. But the role of AYUSH essentially comes into the picture either as pre-Covid [precautions] or at the recovery stage, which can take between two to three months. These are not used as treatments for Covid-19 under any circumstances. He does believe that homoeopathy can help in reducing mortality rate. But there should still be trials to prove it, he said. My ayurvedic consultants are definitely prescribing ayurvedic solutions to patients.

Even as modern medicine continues to be the mainstay of Covid-19 treatment, experts call for an integrated medical approach between the different disciplines so as to better manage the impact of the disease in the long term. Annadate, however, questioned the credibility of the task force set up in May to plan and suggest treatment for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients through the use of ayurveda, unani, homoeopathy and yoga. They havent conducted trials that can prove their efficacy. Scientific evidence is the only thing that will shut up the naysayers, he said.

Dr Gaurang Joshi, director of Atharva Multispecialty Ayurveda Hospital in Gujarats Rajkot, recently tweeted that his hospital has been successfully running online OPD for Covid-19 patients and providing ayurveda treatment at their home. He added that more than 50 patients had turned Covid-negative with their pure ayurveda treatment with home quarantine. I totally stand by my conviction that ayurveda can treat Covid-19, he asserted.

But Dr P. Gopi Kumar, state secretary, IMA Kerala, questioned the scientific validation of the alternative medicines proposed to treat Covid-19 or even serve as immunity boosters. The ministry gave directions for the use of Arsenicum Album 30C as an immunity booster without citing any evidence whatsoever, he said. In a pandemic like this when millions are getting infected and undergoing serious complications, no such drug must be used for which one has no idea about its credibility, authenticity and side effects. So, all these immunity-boosting concoctions and drugs cited by the AYUSH ministry and the state health minister are definitely questionable.

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Seane Corn never thought her duties as yoga instructor would one day include warningpeople about the dangers of an international right-wing conspiracy theory.

The Los Angelesyoga teacher is one of several high-profileInstagram influencers using their platforms to combat the rise of the QAnon conspiracy theory in wellness spaces.

"I just didn't think that I would be having to talk about things like a cabal of people in the U.S. that are kidnapping children and drinking their blood to gain power," Corn told As It Happens host Carol Off.

"I never thought that this would be a conversation I would have to have with my community to say, like, 'This isn't true. This isn't happening. Please use more discernment.'"

QAnonis a conspiracy theory thatposits thatU.S. President Donald Trump is secretly fighting an internationalcabal of Satan-worshipping, leftist eliteswho arerunning a global child sex traffickingring.

It tends to overlap with conspiracy theories that involve anti-vaccination and anti-mask beliefs, and has roots in anti-Semitism and white supremacy.

Once relegated to the fringes of the internet, QAnon hasrecently made its way into more mainstream spaces. QAnon supporterMarjorie Taylor Greene recently won the Republican nomination in Georgia's primary race, and the president himself has referred to the conspiracy theory's followers as people who "love our country."

But it's also started gainingsignificant traction among people who are into wellness,yoga, spiritualityand alternative medicine.

Conspirituality, a podcast that examines the links between wellness and conspiracy, has curated a listof more than two dozen wellness influencers who have alluded to QAnon in their posts.

Corn says she started to notice it creeping into her social media feed at the start of the pandemic, with its followersusing "yoga speak" and wellness branding to radicalize people online.

"The colours might be pastel. The fonts are very specific. There's maybe one post of someone doing yoga. Then the next day it's their food. The next day, it's a lifestyle shot," she said.

"But on maybe the fourth day, there's going to be a post that says, you know, very prettily "COVID is a hoax" and then a bunch of slides that keep giving misinformation and invite you to another link that then gives you more misinformation."

For Corn, the conspiracy theory's proliferation in her community is not all that surprising.

"In the wellness community, there's often a lot of magical thinking," she said.

For example, she says people may turn tocrystals or prayer as a Band-Aid solution for their life's problems, without engaging with those problems on a deeper level.

"I think that some of the messaging in QAnonis appealing to magical thinking. People are afraid. Their instincts are telling them that there's something else going on, but 'I just don't know what it is. I think I'm being lied to,'" she said.

"Someone is coming in and saying, 'Actually, you are,' and taking them down this rabbit hole."

Ali Breland,a reporter for Mother Jones who has been covering the overlap between QAnon and wellness, agrees.

He toldCBC Radio's Day 6 earlier this monththat wellness communities were already rife with anti-vaccination sentiment.

"[It's the idea that] these big powerful interests these external interests that are beyond us, like Big Pharma, that we can't conceptualize, are trying to hurt our children ... and we need to protect them because no one else will," she said.

"That's the prevailing belief of QAnon."

Annie Kelly, a researcher who studies digital extremism,recently wrote in the New York Times that QAnon's "ranks are populated by a noticeably high percentage of women."

While suburban moms with yoga mats might not be the first image that pops into most people's mindswhen they think about onlineconspiracy theorists, Corn says it actually makes a lot of sense especially as QAnon followersflood hashtags like #SaveTheChildren.

"There's a lot of women in this community who are sensitive and empathic. And so you bring in, you know, victimized children and you're going to appeal to that part of them that wants to do something, that wants to engage," Corn said.

Corn, with her 100,000 Instagram followers, is trying to stem the tide by sharing posts that attempt to neutralize the disinformation.

Others are also heeding the call. Shannon Algeo, aL.A. yoga and meditation teacher with 25,000 followers, is one of several influencers who shared an Instagram posttakingstand against the QAnon movement.

"I have a community that stands behind me, or rather stands with me," Corn said."I'm not alone in this effort."

It's the kind of stance that could, at best, cost them some of their followers and income, and at worst, invite harassment and even violence.

Last week, a Texaswoman was charged withaggravated assault with a deadly weapon after shestruck two strangers with her car. According to the arrest affidavits, she believed they were pedophiles. Two people who knew her told the website Right Wing Watch she followedQAnoncontentonline and sent them pro-QAnonmessages.

Still, Corn says she has to speak out. She's already done interviews with the New York Times, Rolling Stone and more.

"I would feel worse being silent. That would make me complicit, and I just can't live with myself in that way,"she said. "So, hopefully, I'll remain safe and we'll see what happens."

Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview produced by Chloe Shantz-Hilkes.

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This yoga instructor is fighting the rise of QAnon in the wellness community - CBC.ca

The views expressed in these submissions are from anonymous, unverified sources and do not necessarily represent those of the Portland Mercury.

There's a mythology that boomers are selfish. This is kind of ridiculous since boomers (and those a little older, born say 1938-45) started and/or wholeheartedly supported everything that is unselfishcommunes, anti-war movements, health food, co-ops, alternative medicine, gay rights, women's rights, book clubs, and a host of other-centered and altruistic aspects of society. It is Gen-Y and millenials who started or extended: Gordon Gecko-like greed as a creed, homeschooling overkill and white-flight from public schools, narcissistic Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and preferring your smartphone to anyone who is actually living and right in front of you. The previous rant about coldness has everything to do with selfishnessmillenials are in it for what they can get out of you, not the communal acceptance and enjoyment of our shared humanity. Some boomers are Trump supporters, but look at the video evidencea lot of the hysteria is coming from Gen-X on down the line, screaming and hitting people who are different from themselves.Boomers are responsible for your miserable capitulation to corporations? climate change? mean people? OK, Whiner.

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OK, Whiner - I, Anonymous Blog - The Portland Mercury

Most pro athletes start a second career when they retire. Usually, they go into broadcasting, acting, politics, or some sort of business. Former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is going in a new direction since his retirement in 2015; hes in the marijuana business.

Johnsons not just selling legal weed. He and partner Robert Sims signed on with Harvard University to work on a project to determine the health benefits of medical marijuana and the best ways to deliver cannabis-based therapies to cancer patients.

Johnson, known as Megatron, played nine seasons in the NFL and is considered one of the great wide receivers ever. During that time, he sustained nine concussions, not to mention the ones he had in college at Georgia Tech, reports The Washington Post.

Concussions in Johnsons playing days didnt get the attention they do today. Players with a head injury got back up, went back in, and considered it all part of the game. Johnson saw most players self-medicating with narcotics Vicodin, oxycontin, and the like but didnt want to fight the pain with opioids.

Rather than take narcotics, Johnson chose to smoke pot as part of his post-game routine. He says thats how he dealt with the ordeal of putting his body through the grinder every week. With that history, its no wonder Johnson decided to enter the marijuana business once Michigan legalized it, according to the Detroit News.

Teammates Robert Sims Jr joined Johnson in the company, called Primitive.Their license allows them to cultivate, process, and dispense medical marijuana in Michigan. Johnsons business plan is to expand Primitive to locations throughout the state, according to the Detroit Free Press. Some locations will be run as joint ventures.

Johnson admits theres still some stigma involved with pot, even the legal kind. His own mother thought he was nuts to even get into the business.

RELATED: Calvin Johnson Had a Stern Message Regarding Donald Trumps Leadership

Teaming up with Harvards International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute has probably redeemed Johnson somewhat in his mothers eyes. The Institute decided to dig deep into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana when they realized 80% of the global population use medicinal plants to treat illness.

Western medicine relies on drugs for treatment, but most of the world doesnt have access to modern drug therapies. Alternative medicine, from acupuncture to yoga, has become more and more popular in the US, so pots day has finally come.

The Harvard project is exciting for the Primitive team since they have experience with head injuries. Jason Strayhorn joined Johnson and Sims for the launch of the study. The focus of the former athletes is the benefits of cannabis in treating Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that is caused by repeated blows to the head, and a leading cause of early death among retired NFL players. Sims believes that 99% of NFL players have some form of CTE. Some positions are at higher risk than others. Wide receivers like Johnson take a lot more hits than kickers and punt returners.

The former Lion says his involvement with the study, clinical trials on CTE and pain management, has a couple of benefits. One, they can contribute their products to the research and help athletes before they are completely debilitated by football.

Second, that pot as a legitimate therapy will help de-stigmatize the industry itself. That will make Johnsons mom happy. Hes already considered to be a generous philanthropist in the Lansing area. Helping athletes and others manage their pain is just another way for Johnson to give back.

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Calvin Johnson Is About to Open Up His 1st Business Since Retiring From the NFL - Sportscasting

All of the deceased had been assessed for their potential risk for COVID-19 through a checklist that included questions related to symptoms and potential exposure to the coronavirus. Those who were likely to have had coronavirus were tested for the virus, and an additional random sample of decedents was also tested.

The U-M epidemiologists compared the characteristics of the decedents (age, sex, race, manner of death) that were flagged by the COVID-19 checklist versus those that were not and compared the characteristics of decedents that were SARS-CoV-2 positive versus those that were not.

The researchers found that the positive tests in flagged decedents matched patterns of positivity of people in the region, including large racial disparities between those who tested positive. This could mean that testing decedents may provide an early warning sign and a supplemental surveillance strategy and may be a cheaper alternative to large-scale surveillance efforts, the researchers say.

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"The most shocking part is that despite the fact that there were no racial differences in who was flagged and who was not flagged, there were huge racial disparities among who was actually positive," Brouwer said. "That really speaks to the health inequalities that have been exposed by the pandemic."

The results, he says, "underscore the larger context of racism and socioeconomic disparities and susceptibility to infectious disease because of chronic stress or other underlying risk factors."

"This is a good example of the support that a medical examiner's office provides public health," Schmidt said. "Because of this effort, we have a better understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 is distributed in the community."

In addition to Brouwer and Schmidt, authors included Jeffrey Myers, Emily Martin, Marisa Eisenberg, all of the U-M School of Public Health; Paul Lephart, Kristine Konopka, Teresa Nguyen and Andrea Jaworski of the Michigan Medicine Department of Pathology; and Adam Lauring of the Michigan Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases.

Study: SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in decedents in a large, urban medical examiners office, Clinical Infectious Diseases, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1312

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Testing the deceased could provide additional surveillance methods during pandemic - Michigan Medicine

There has already been a phenomenal upsurge in the use of holistic treatments to deal with a whole host of common ailments but a Galway herbalist and educator has now taken this to the next level.

Because Tuam-based Patrick Murphy owner and founder of the Herbal Academy believes that that anyone can learn to make and use herbal remedies at home, for their own wellbeing and that of their families and clients.

Which is the ethos behind the Herbal Academy as an institute of alternative medicine for the general public, delivering a variety of courses completely online to allow for remote learning.

The courses offered at the academy, designed by Patrick, were produced during the lockdown months and now the work is ready to be presented to the public.

The Herbal Academy itself was developed to use a unique blend of Western Herbal Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine to learn how to create a range of holistic treatments for common ailments.

And, as Patrick points out, all of this can be safely used alongside medical treatments, if necessary.

His philosophy in his work is to cleanse, nourish and heal and that is woven through the course material, which he has written and which is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.

Its the latest career evolution for Patrick Murphy, who as the Skin Herbalist, provided his first herbal remedies to his patients back in 1995 with good results.

Then as different ailments emerged in his patients, he would accommodate them by using new herbal formulas, again with marked success. These formulas worked well with subsequent patients that they became standard.

His true philosophy is getting to the root cause of the disorder, helping him to create healing tonic herbals. These herbs help the body overcome disease by strengthening through cleansing and nourishing.

Patricks ultimate vision is to cleanse and nourish so the body can heal, using wild crafted, organic herbs.

The Herbal Academy itself has a comprehensive mission statement.

It aims to empower energy, wellbeing, and confidence, physically and mentally by imparting knowledge of healing, nourishing, and cleansing the body using natural, organic, earth-sourced sustainable herbs and supplements that focus on treating the root causes of ailments rather than just the symptoms.

The Academy offers three courses the Foundation Course; Herbal Home Remedies, and Colour Therapy.

Material on the Foundation Course is aimed to provide the basics in herbalism, that students can recognize and devise effective herbal treatments for themselves and others and to educate themselves in how to use herbal remedies for first aid use and how to use alongside mainstream medical treatments.

Participants will also gain the knowledge of distinguishing between supplements and their properties as well as learning to make their own effective herbal treatments for a range of common ailments including common colds, IBS and various skin conditions.

Those studying Herbal Home Remedies will learn of the herbal remedies available to treat an array of situations such as insomnia, infections, rashes, coughs, digestive issues, stings/bites, bruises, and joint problems amongst many others.

Students will learn to prepare these remedies using a range of fruits, spices, oils, and herbs-all ingredients that are completely natural and have been used and relied on for centuries to promote wellbeing and vitality.

Colour Therapy is used as part of medical practice for hundreds of years, colour therapy is an important element in the holistic approach to complimentary health practice.

In this course, people will identify and understand the need for certain colour themes in their lives and how to use it for healing, good health, relaxation and protection as well as learning how to use this therapy to compliment other therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology and aromatherapy.

The Herbal Academy is delivered completely through online learning. No prior experience is necessary, says Patrick Murphy.

The courses can be accessed on the website instantly and offers a payment plan to spread the cost if needed. Upon completion, students will receive accredited certificates for each course.

We have a special limited time offer in place from now until September 30 if you order the Foundation Herbal Medicine Course, you get the Colour Therapy and Healing for free.

Patrick also has his own herbal dispensary, stocking herbal remedies from highly reputable organic herbal suppliers. Mainly organic, bio dynamic and fresh herb tinctures are stocked.

Dried herbs which are always organic where possible, as well as pessaries, capsules and specifically made up creams, are also dispensed, when required.

Patrick helps people with common ailments such as arthritis, asthma, acne, eczema, Fibromyalgia, ME, constipation, digestive problems, heartburn, acid reflux, back pain, menopause and more.

For more information on his online courses, visit the website http://www.theherbalacademy.ie/ or contact Patrick via info@theherbalacademy.ie or phone 093-27033.

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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to medical products and practices that are not part of mainstream practices. While complementary medicine can be used along with mainstream medical practices, alternative medicine are used in place of standard medical treatments. Some CAM therapies have been found to be safe and effective unlike some that have been found to be ineffective or possibly harmful.

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a host of botanicals and nutritional substances such as herbal supplements, dietary supplements, and vitamins. A large number of CAM products are regarded to be safe as they are produced by nature or are present in nature. However, this may not be necessarily true for all natural products. In addition, some naturally sourced medicines may affect the action of other medicines. For instance, St. Johns wort a herb which is used for depression may interfere with the way certain anticancer drugs work.

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Herbal supplements can have unwanted effects when used on their own, in combination with other drugs, or in large doses. Vitamins can also be harmful on the body. Too much of vitamin can be detrimental on health, even in a healthy person. Supplements do not need approval from federal government before being commercially available.

Patients of chronic diseases who are considering using complementary or alternative medicine need to talk to their doctor or nurse. This is because some therapies of complementary and alternative medicine may interfere with mainstream medicine or can be also be harmful. The claims of efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine therapy needs to be ascertained before bringing into use.

Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Overview

The global market for alternative and complementary medicines is projected to experience substantial growth in the next few years. The rising expenditure of the healthcare facilities is considered as the major factor that is likely to encourage the growth of the overall market in the coming years. In addition, the increasing number of initiatives being taken by Governments across the globe to promote alternative and complementary medicines is projected to accelerate the markets growth. Thanks to these factors, the global alternative and complementary medicine market is likely to exhibit a promising growth rate in the near future.

Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Key Trends

A significant rise in the number of initiatives by NGOs and government organizations to encourage the use of alternative and complementary medicines is estimated to bolster global market in the near future. In addition to this, technological advancements in this field and the rising inclination of consumers towards these medicines and practices are likely to offer lucrative growth opportunities for the leading players operating in the alternative and complementary medicine market across the globe. However, the lack of scientific results is expected to hamper the overall growth of the market in the next few years.

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Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Market Potential

Alternative and complementary medicines make use of several tradition methods to help the patients, most of which are not completely supported scientifically. As a result, the use of these medicines in several developed economies is comparatively less. Nonetheless, with a rising focus on research and development activities in order to find clinical support and the emergence of new methods and medicines are anticipated to encourage the growth of the global alternative and complementary medicine market throughout the forecast period.

Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Regional Outlook

From a regional perspective, Europe is considered as one of the leading segment, thanks to the significant revenue contribution in the last few years. This region is expected to account for a large share of the global alternative and complementary medicine market with the rising use of botanicals. In addition to this, the increasing awareness among consumers regarding the availability of effective alternative and complementary medicines and the benefits they offers are expected to encourage the growth of the Europe market in the coming years.

Furthermore, with the rising popularity of medical tourism, the alternative and complementary medicine market in Asia Pacific is projected to witness a steady growth in the next few years. Moreover, the presence of a large number of new players operating in this region is likely to offer promising growth opportunities over the forecast period. The Middle East and Africa segment is anticipated to experience a healthy growth in the alternative and complementary medicine market in the near future.

Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Competitive Analysis

The global market for alternative and complementary medicines is presently at a highly competitive stage and is predicted to experience an intense level of competition among the leading players in the coming years. The prominent players in the market are focusing on the expansion of the product portfolio so as to attract a large number of consumers across the globe. This is likely to help them in creating a brand name and acquiring a leading position in the global market. Some of the leading players operating in the alternative and complementary medicine market across the globe are Herb Pharm, Yoga Tree, Quantum Touch Inc., Helio USA Inc., Pure encapsulations, Inc., Pacific Nutritional Inc., Deepure Plus, Herbal Hills, Iyengar Yoga Institute, The Healing Company, and Nordic Naturals.

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Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market is projected to experience substantial growth in the next few years - BioSpace