Spiritual Medicine Path (the Medicine for the Spiritual Direction): Mode of Cherokee healing that includes thanksgiving to the Great One and the Universal Spirit.

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

Medicine As the healing art, medicine is as old as thinking man. Before the latent fires of mind were lighted in the third root-race, disease and death were unknown. However, with the physicalization of protoplastic humanity, and the separation of the sexes, the unnatural linking with the animals in the third and fourth root-races disordered the harmonious relations between man and nature. In addition, self-conscious man's continued evolution into matter, with the involution of his spiritual nature, brought about forms of disorder, disease, and physical death. Then, beings from higher spheres descended, and dynasties of divine kings and spiritual guides taught men, leading them to the invention of all the arts and sciences, including the medical use of plants (cf SD 2:364).

Medicine was originally a divine science, providing for the well-being of the spiritual, mental, psychic, astral, and physical man. Archaic medicine included a profound knowledge of genuine astrology, of true alchemy, of occult physiology, of the finer forces vibrating as sound, color, form, thought, and feeling, and whatever related man to his home universe of natural law and order. This was the basis of the natural "magic" which tradition has linked with the medical art. This knowledge was dual in its power to work for life or death, for good or evil ends. Its full comprehension required not only a trained intellect, but the intuitive understanding of a pure spiritual nature. Nevertheless, the Atlanteans acquired enough knowledge of the use of dangerous powers that they became -- albeit with numerous and noteworthy exceptions -- a nation of sorcerers. Then, the white magicians established the Mystery schools in which to safeguard the sacred teachings from evildoers and to protect humanity from their influence. Thus, the deeper truths of the healing art have ever since been entrusted only to pledged disciples and initiates. Such fragments of it as have been rediscovered by intuitive physicians from time to time have usually been in keeping with the general cultural level of their civilization. The exceptions have been men who have frequently been too far ahead of their times to be understood. Such a man was Paracelsus in medieval Europe, persecuted for heretical teachings such as the psychoelectric and magnetic play of sidereal forces which linked man with the stars -- the spiritus vitae in man came from the spiritus mundi.

Of the archaic history of medicine -- as of the race -- little is to be found. However, echoes of the primitive wisdom have survived, and every country having a literature of its ancient periods has some account of the healing art. The Hindu sacred scriptures -- the oldest literature extant -- have treatises upon medicine and surgery, showing a profound and intimate knowledge of the subject. This high standard was not maintained when the Vedic writings became misunderstood and mutilated by later commentators. The exclusive Brahmins' assumption of the right to all knowledge also prevented original thought and research. What writings are available today are of little practical value without the lost key. Even our typically matter-of-fact interpretation of legendary and classical beliefs and customs, and of archaeological findings, overlooks that what is known of ancient medical practice is largely exoteric, symbolic of a deeper teaching than we possess.

Records of ancient medicine in Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, etc., tell of the temples being used as hospitals, with priest-physicians supported by the state giving every care to the sick who came, both rich and poor. In addition to material means of treatment -- many of which we have rediscovered -- these devotees of the gods of healing used special incense, prayers, the "temple sleep," invocations, music, astrology, etc., which we regard as harmless superstition of an earlier day. However, such conditions, intelligently adapted to each case, in making a pure, serene, uplifting atmosphere around the sick person, would invoke the influences of wholeness within and without him. By putting the inner man in tune with his body, his disordered nature-forces manifesting as disease would tend to flow freely in the currents of health. Natural magic is as practical as the unknown alchemy which transmutes our digested daily bread into molecules of our living body.

There is a mystic science attached to the caduceus, the classical emblem of medicine. To the priest-physicians in the temples, this symbol was sacred not only to the god of wisdom and healing, but stood for profound cosmic truths, knowledge of which was held in common by all initiates. It symbolized the tree of life and being. Cosmically this symbol stood for the concealed root or origin of universal duality which manifests as positive and negative, good and evil, subjective and objective, light and darkness, male and female, health and sickness, life and death.

(See also: Medicine, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Medicine Wheel

Native American sacred circle representing the Universe and the balance of all creation. It is cast to contain, project and raise energy to transform, balance and heal.

(See also: Medicine Wheel, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine

Today, you may think in this technologically advanced society, (as I sit by my computer writing this, and you sit by yours reading it) there are a whole range of patented chemical drugs tailored for all ailments, so why use herbal medicines?

Herbs are as effective for healing today as they were in our grandmothers' day, and for thousands of years before that. We may live in a very different world today but the human body hasn't changed, in fact it's often struggling to cope with ifs new modern environment.

Read more here: » Herbal Medicine: Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine

Medicine is the branch of health science concerned with maintaining human health or restoring it through the treatment of disease and injury. It is both an area of knowledge – a science of body systems, their diseases and treatment – and the applied practice of that knowledge. The practice of medical care is shared between the medical profession (physicians or doctors) and other groups of professionals such as nurses and pharmacists (sometimes known as allied health professionals). Historically, only th ...

Including:

• Medicine - History of medicine
• Medicine - Practice of medicine
• Medicine - Healthcare delivery systems
• Medicine - Patient-doctor relationship
• Medicine - Clinical skills
• Medicine - Settings where medical care is delivered
• Medicine - Branches of medicine
• Medicine - Basic sciences
• Medicine - Diagnostic specialties
• Medicine - Clinical disciplines
• Medicine - Interdisciplinary fields
• Medicine - Medical education
• Medicine - Medical devices
• Medicine - Legal restrictions
• Medicine - Criticism

Read more here: » Medicine: Encyclopedia - Medicine

Alternative medicine broadly describes methods and practices used in place of, or in addition to, conventional medical treatments. The precise scope of alternative medicine is a matter of some debate and depends to a great extent on the definition of "conventional medicine." The debate on alternative medicine is complicated further by the diversity of treatments that are categorized as "alternative." These include practices that incorporate spiritual, metaphysical, or religious underpinnings; non-European medical traditions; newly develop ...

Including:

• Alternative medicine - Definitions
• Alternative medicine - A misleading term?
• Alternative medicine - Complementary and alternative medicine
• Alternative medicine - Regulation
• Alternative medicine - Contemporary use of alternative medicine
• Alternative medicine - Medical education
• Alternative medicine - Support for alternative medicine
• Alternative medicine - Efficacy
• Alternative medicine - Danger reduced when used as a complement to conventional medicine
• Alternative medicine - Criticism of alternative medicine
• Alternative medicine - Efficacy
• Alternative medicine - Safety

Read more here: » Alternative medicine: Encyclopedia - Alternative medicine

Naturopathic medicine is the practice of attempting to improve the health of patients through the application of natural remedies. Naturopathic medicine - History of naturopathic medicine. The term naturopathy was coined before 1900, by John Scheel, and used by Benedict Lust. Lust, a German last name meaning "love" pronounced like "loost", had been schooled in hydrotherapy and other natural health practices in Germany by Father Sebastian Kneipp, who sent Lust to the United States to bring them Kneipp's meth ...

Including:

• Naturopathic medicine - History of naturopathic medicine
• Naturopathic medicine - Naturopathic physicians and traditional naturopaths
• Naturopathic medicine - Naturopathic physicians
• Naturopathic medicine - Traditional naturopaths
• Naturopathic medicine - The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
• Naturopathic medicine - The healing power of nature
• Naturopathic medicine - Identify and treat the cause
• Naturopathic medicine - First do no harm
• Naturopathic medicine - Treat the whole person
• Naturopathic medicine - The physician as teacher
• Naturopathic medicine - Prevention
• Naturopathic medicine - Regulation in North America
• Naturopathic medicine - Regulation in the United Kingdom
• Naturopathic medicine - Scope of practice
• Naturopathic medicine - Criticism

Read more here: » Naturopathic medicine: Encyclopedia - Naturopathic medicine

"Medicine man" is an English term used to describe Native American religious figures; such individuals are analogous to shamans. The term "medicine man" has been criticized by Native Americans, and various scholars. The primary function of these "medicine men" (who are not always male) is to secure the help of the spirit world, including the Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka in the language of t ...

Read more here: » Medicine man: Encyclopedia - Medicine man

Medicine Wheel

Native American sacred circle representing the Universe and the balance of all creation. It is cast to contain, project and raise energy to transform, balance and heal.

(See also: Medicine Wheel, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Anthroposophic medicine:

based on the principles of anthroposophy, developed by philosopher and spiritual scientist Rudolf Steiner, PhD (1861-1925); this medical system takes into account the spiritual and physical components of illness. A treatment regime may include herbal and homeopathic medicines as well as dietetics, art and movement therapies, massage, and hydrotherapy.

(See also: Anthroposophic medicine, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

Holistic medicine:

philosophical approach to health care which treats the patient as a whole person, not simply as a disease process or a collection of symptoms. Holistic health care practitioners may combine allopathic medicine with complementary therapies, taking into account the emotional, spiritual, social, nutritional, mental, environmental, and physical aspects of health and illness.

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

New Age Medicine

See Holistic Health

(See also: New Age Medicine, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

CHINESE MEDICINE: Has much in common with other Eastern systems and is the foundation of many techniques currently used in the West. Provides a comprehensive range of treatments for problems arising from imbalances at physical, mental, emotional and spiritual parts of the consciousness.

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

New Age Medicine

See Holistic Health

(See also: New Age Medicine, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

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)

Spirituality: Having the nature of spirit, soul. God, sometimes religion or a higher consciousness.

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

Holistic Medicine: The philosophy of holistic medicine states that the practitioner must use safe methods of diagnosis and treatment while emphasizing the care of the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Most forms of natural medicine adher to this basic definition of holistic medicine.

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

HOLISTIC MEDICINE: A descriptive term for a healing philosophy that views a patient as a whole person, not just a disease or a collection of symptoms.

In the course of treatment, holistic medical practitioners may address a client's emotional and spiritual dimensions as well as the nutritional, environmental, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to an illness. Many holistic medical practitioners combine conventional forms of treatment with natural or alternative treatments.

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

Mind/Body/Spirit Medicine:

Mind-body medicine (also referred to as psychoneuroimmunology-PNI) focuses on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health. It regards as fundamental an approach that respects and enhances each person’s capacity for self-knowledge and self-care, and it emphasizes techniques that are grounded in this approach.

Mind-body medicine typically focuses on intervention strategies that are thought to promote health, such as relaxation, hypnosis, visual imagery, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, tai chi, qi gong, cognitive-behavioral therapies, group support, spirituality, and prayer. The philosophy of mind/body medicine views illness as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation, and health care providers as catalysts and guides in this process.

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

Vibrational medicine: The expressions "energy healing," "energy work," and "energetic healing work" appear synonymous with "vibrational medicine." Healing philosophy whose main tenet is that humans are "dynamic energy systems" ("body/mind/spirit" complexes) and reflect evolutionary patterns of soul growth. Its postulates include the following. (a ) Health and illness originate in subtle energy systems. (b) These systems coordinate the life-force and the physical body. (c) Emotions, spirituality, and nutritional and environmental factors affect the subtle energy systems. Vibrational medicine embraces acupuncture, aromatherapy, Bach flower therapy, chakra rebalancing, channeling, color therapy, crystal healing, absent healing, electroacupuncture, flower essence therapy, homeopathy, Kirlian photography, laserpuncture, the laying on of hands, meridian therapy, mesmerism, moxibustion, Past-life Regression, Polarity Therapy, psychic healing, psychic surgery, Reiki, sonopuncture, Toning, Transcendental Meditation, and Therapeutic Touch.

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