homeopathy (homeopathic medicine, homeotherapeutics, homoeopathy): Form of energy medicine (vibrational medicine) developed by German physician Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), who coined its original name.

The major homeopathic theories include:

(a)           The law of similars ("like cures like"): According to this principle, the most effective potential remedy for a particular disease is that substance which in healthy persons has effects similar to the symptoms of the disease if the substance is applied in quantities that render it bioactive.

(b)          The doctrine of individualization (the rule of the single remedy): According to this principle, the ideal potential homeopathic remedy for a particular ill person is that substance which induces in healthy persons all the health problems, mannerisms, and dispositions the ill person has related if it is applied in quantities that render it bioactive.

(c)           The doctrine of the minimum dose ("less is more"): According to this principle, selected substances trigger healing without side effects when they are applied in quantities that render them nonbioactiveor even when they are only seemingly, spiritually applied.

(d)           The doctrine of potentization (dynamization): According to this principle, successively diluting a potentially therapeutic solid spiritualizes the substance, thus increases its curativeness, and detoxifies it.

(e)           The doctrine of the vital force: According to this principle, the vital force is the source of all biological phenomena, it becomes deranged during illness, and homeopathic remedies work by restoring it.

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

The Cayce Approach to Health and Healing: Holistic approach to healing and wellness that encompasses breathwork, energy field work, Self-Applied Health Enhancement Methods, and remedies (e.g., the apple diet) related to the readings of clairvoyant Edgar Cayce (1877-1945).

Its theory posits reincarnation and a triune body (physical body, mental body, and spiritual body) and defines healing as the process of awakening the God-pattern within humans.

(See also: Cayce Approach to Health and Healing, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Iroquois medical botany: Traditional medical usage of herbs in the culture of the six Native American peoples that constitute the Iroquois League.

According to the Iroquois theory of disease, symptoms are manifestations of a disturbance of the vital principle (life force) within an individual and result from any of four acts:

(1)           violating a divine guideline,

(2)           self-denial,

(3)           interacting with entities or events that give off negative power or evil, and

(4)           offending someone who has access to great knowledge regarding the manipulation of spirit forces.

Iroquois herbal medicines include antighost plants, anti-witching remedies, and cures for bad luck and even death.

(See also: Iroquois medical botany, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

EnLighten Systems of stress management (EnLighten Systems, EnLighten): Variation of Bach flower therapy. EnLighten is a natural homeopathic system of liquid Traditional Flower Remedies that bypasses physical causes and targets emotions affected by stressful situations. It includes: (a) the EnLighten Habit Modification System; (b) the EnLighten System for Animals (also called the EnLighten for Animals healing system and the EnLighten for Animals system), which improves the disposition of pets; (c) the EnLighten System for Children with Learning Difficulties; (d) the EnLighten System for Teenagers; and (e) the EnLighten Weight Management System.

(See also: EnLighten Systems of stress management, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Lepore Technique of M.R.T.: Form of muscle testing (Muscle Response Test technique) that is the centerpiece of the Lepore technique. Its design is to pinpoint allergens (metabolic antagonists), measure their nutritional neutralizers (e.g., herbs and homeopathic remedies), and measure nutrients that conduce to absorption of the neutralizers.

The Lepore Technique of M.R.T. involves: (a) rubbing the thymus, to activate acupoints; and (b) rubbing the mastoid gland behind both ears, to relax acupoints. The practitioner may perform it for a sleeping child or an invalid (even a comatose person) through a surrogate standing near the subject.

(See also: Lepore Technique of M.R.T, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

alternative nutrition (alternative nutritional treatments, alternative nutrition strategies, alternative nutrition therapies): Ill-defined group of methods that apparently encompasses Chinese herbal medicine, the Chinese System of Food Cures, and nutrient pharmaco-therapy--administration of specific micronutrients in pharmacologic doses.

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

Alternative 12 Steps: Nontheistic derivative of the Twelve Steps, expounded by Martha Cleveland, Ph.D., and Arlys G. in The Alternative 12 Steps: A Secular Guide To Recovery (1992). Three of their Steps affirm spiritual resources or spiritual energy.

(See also: Alternative 12 Steps, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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)

Possibility Thinking Meditation (PTM): Component of Possibility Thinking. According to PTM theory, mantras with the m sound facilitate clearing the mind.

(See also: Possibility Thinking Meditation, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Shiatsu Acupressure: Traditional Chinese system of healing touch. Its design is to balance body, mind, and spirit.

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

Shinkiko {Shinkiko (true ki) Energy Flow, true ki energy flow}: the ultimate healing art from Japan, an intuitive medical science, and the study of the non-physical world. Shinkiko was founded by the late Masato Nakagawa, Ph.D. Somewhat similar to Qigong, it involves application of Shin-ki (healing-energy).

Shinkiko therapists can tap a limitless universal energy source. The Japanese word shin refers toa soul-like divine spirit. (Kiko means Qigong.)

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

Shirodhara: Ayurvedic treatment in which warm sesame oil, or a warm herbal oil, streams onto the forehead of a recumbent person. Its design is to purify the mind-body and relax the nervous system.

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

Siddha (Saiva school of medicine, Siddha medicine, Siddha system, Siddha system of medicine): Tamil system related to Ayurveda and of divine origin. Tamil refers to an ancient tradition of southern India and northern Sri Lanka. Siddha theory posits five mahabhutas (see prakrtika cikitsa). The Sanskrit word Siddha literally means perfect, complete.

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

Simonton method: Form of guided imagery developed by radiation oncologist Oscar Carl Simonton, M.D., and his former wife, psychologist Stephanie Matthews-Simonton. Dr. Simonton is coauthor of the bestseller Getting Well Again and its sequel, The Healing Journey: The Simonton Center Program for Achieving Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health. the basic premise of the Simonton method is that cancer is a message of love and an invitation to become who we truly are.

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