Tibetan medicine (Amchi, Emchi): A largely allopathic system that stems from Ayurveda, Bon (see Bon shamanic practices), Chinese medicine, and Unani.

Tibetan medicine encompasses acupuncture and moxibustion and heals both the physical and the psychic being. Its theory posits reincarnation, evil spirits, tutelary gods, and three physiological principles (bodily energies): wind, bile (gall), and phlegm.

According to Tibetan medical theory, karma strongly influences 101 disorders caused by afflictive emotions (e.g., desire or hatred); another 101 disorders caused by such emotions involve spirits (harmful unseen forces); and it is appropriate to expose certain medical substances to the light of the full moon. The terms Tibetan medicine and Tibetan Buddhist Medicine appear synonymous.

(See also: Tibetan medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM, Zhang Yao): A major pillar of Chinese medicine. According to its theory, herbs can influence the yin and yang energy patterns of the body. (See Chinese herbalism.)

(See also: Chinese herbal medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory posits both Organs (the Triple Burner, for example) and Substances (such as Shen, or Spirit) for which scientific evidence is absent. Variations and hybrids of Chinese medicine include Korean medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Vietnamese traditional medicine.

Chinese medicine probably originated about 2,000 years ago, but it became dogmatic and stagnated for centuries; overall its development has been slow. It probably stems from shamanism. The basis of Chinese medicine is Taoism, a religion according to which spirits (shen) inhabit the human body and take care of its functions. The foundational text of Chinese medicine - known as the Classic of Internal Medicine, the Huangdi Neijing, the Inner Classic, the Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor, the Neiching, the Nei Jing, The Yellow Emperor's Classic, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, and the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon - was completed by the first century C.E.

(See also: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Buddhist Medicine: A method that encompasses moxibustion and shiatsu massage.

(See also: Buddhist Medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM):

1. Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani.
2. Ayurveda, naturopathy, Siddha, Tibetan medicine, Unani, and yoga.

(See also: Indian Systems of Medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Oriental medicine: In general, the use of acupuncture, Chinese herbal combinations, diet, and emotional changes with the aim of eliminating problems with meridians (invisible energy pathways).

(See also: Oriental medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

occult medicine: Field that encompasses astrology, aura analysis, biorhythm, Christian Science, clairvoyant diagnosis, faith healing, Kirlian photography, medical graphology, mesmerism, palmistry, shamanism, TCM, and witchcraft.

(See also: Occult medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Natural and Macrobiotic Medicine: A group of methods that encompasses acupuncture, astrological diagnosis, aura and vibrational diagnosis, consciousness and thought diagnosis, environmental diagnosis, herbal medicine, macrobiotic palm healing, meridian diagnosis, prayer, pressure diagnosis, shiatsu massage, and spiritual diagnosis.

(See also: Natural and Macrobiotic Medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Asian medicine: Group of Eastern methods that includes acupuncture, panchakarma, and shiatsu.

(See also: Asian medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

holistic medicine:

1. Alternative medicine.
2. That form of alternative medicine which focuses on
1. personal accountability for one's health;
2. the human body's ability to heal itself; and
3. balancing the body, mind, and spirit with the environment.

Holistic medicine includes among others acupuncture, biofeedback, faith healing, folk medicine, meditation, yoga etc.

(See also: Holistic medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Korean medicine: A form of Oriental medicine that encompasses acupuncture and moxibustion.

(See also: Korean medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Eagle Medicine: Mode of Cherokee healing. Eagle Medicine includes the vision quest - a spiritual search.

(See also: Eagle Medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Eastern medicine: a group of methods that encompasses Chinese medicine, shiatsu, and relaxation techniques.

(See also: Eastern medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Vacuflex (Vacuflex Reflexology System, VRS): Variation of Foot Reflexology developed by Inge Dougans, a Danish reflexologist, in the 1970s. Its theory posits the meridians of Oriental medicine. The first stage of treatment involves wearing felt boots.

(See also: Vacuflex, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Waitankung: Ancient Chinese exercise system of Taoist origin. the Waitankung exercises allow one's inner energy (chi) to fill the body like an electric current.

(See also: Waitankung, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Warriorobics: Blend of aerobics, aikido, and Ki breathing, developed by Henry Smith.

(See also: Warriorobics, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Watsu (water shiatsu): Component of Bodywork Tantra performed in chest-high water at body temperature. Watsu borrows from Zen shiatsu. Its design is to release blockages in the meridians (energy pathways) of the body.

(See also: Watsu, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Vedic Astrology (Jyotish, jyotisha): Ancient system that helps to resolve doubts concerning children, health, spiritual growth, and other subjects. Suggestions regarding donations, gemstones, herbs, mantras, yantras (mystic diagrams), and rituals are integral to the system.

(See also: Jyotish, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

witchcraft (the Old Religion): Generally, the use of amulets (or talismans), magical potions, magical rituals, and/or spells. For example, The Complete Book of Magic and Witchcraft (1980) describes a cure for jaundice: 12 large earthworms, baked on a shovel and ground to powder, drunk in potion. The author, Kathryn Paulsen, added parenthetically: Somewhat poisonous effects have been noticed from this recipe. For madness, she recommended consuming a drink containing mild honey and salt - before sunrise and from a seashell; and for strength, a black spider between two slices of buttered bread.

(See also: Witchcraft, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Viviano method: Approach to behavior modification developed by Dr. Ann Viviano, a New York psychologist, minister, reiki master, and NLP practitioner. It reportedly borrows from meditation, New Age mysticism, and quantum physics.

(See also: Witchcraft, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

wortcunning: The knowledgeable use, in witchcraft or Wicca, of magical and secret healing properties of herbs. (The word wort means plant.)

According to Wiccan theory, the phase and zodiacal position of the moon are extremely important considerations in the planting of herbs.

(See also: Wortcunning, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)