Alternative Medicine: Most Popular Articles

Detox Quiz
A fun and simple quiz about detox diets.

The Detox Diet
Detox diet - Learn about the detox diet, take the quiz, get a sample two-week detox diet plan, read common questions, get recipes, and more.

Stool - What's Healthy?
Alternative practitioners often ask clients about their stool as part of their assessment. Find out what normal stool should look like and learn about the different types of abnormal stool.

Stress Effects Quiz
A quiz that helps you learn some of the effects of chronic stress.

Foods to Eat
This is a sample list of allowed foods on a detox diet.

L-Arginine
What is L-arginine? What are the benefits and side effects of l-arginine? Why do people use this supplement?

High Blood Pressure Remedies
Learn about natural remedies for high blood pressure, such as herbs, diet, nutrition, chinese medicine, ayurvedic remedies, supplements, and home remedies.

The Candida Diet
A candida diet is used by alternative practitioners to address overgrowth of candida albicans yeast. Find out more about this condition and why it's controversial, and get information on what candida diets involve.

Tea Tree Oil
What is tea tree oil? Why do people use tea tree oil? How does it work? What are the safety concerns?

Green Stool
What causes green stool? Find out what green stool is and what causes it.

Learn About a Juice Fast
A juice fast is a method of detoxification. Learn what a juice fast involves, why people go on a juice fast, sample guidelines, possible side effects, and more.

Foods to Avoid
This is a sample list of foods to avoid on a detox diet.

CoQ10 Fact Sheet
What is CoQ10, also known as coenzyme q10? Why do people use CoQ10? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns?

What is a Colonic?
A colonic involves the infusion of water into the rectum. Find out what getting a colonic is like. Also called colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy.

What is a Detox Diet?
What is a detox diet? Why do people go on a detox diet? What are the possible side effects and safety precautions? What do the critics say?

Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia diet supplement review, by Cathy Wong, ND. What is hoodia? How does it work? What are the side effects? What are the safety concerns about hoodia diet pills?

10 Popular Types of Massage
Massage therapy - Are you interested in getting a massage but don't know which style to choose? Here is an overview of the different types of massage.

Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Why do people use glucosamine supplements? What are the side effects and safety concerns?

Hypochlorhydria Screening Quiz
A screening quiz for low stomach acid.

Yeast Infection Remedies
A yeast infection is a common, bothersome condition for women. Learn about three natural home remedies for yeast infection.

Foods to Avoid - Candida Diet
Candida diet - Here is a sample list of foods to temporarily avoid while on a candida diet.

Detox Diet Sample Menu
This is a sample menu for a day on the detox diet. Includes meal ideas and suggestions.

Erectile Dysfunction Remedies
Erectile dysfunction has a number of causes. Here you'll find information on natural remedies for erectile dysfunction, including herbs and supplements such as L-arginine, ginseng, and ginkgo.

Apple Cider Vinegar
What is apple cider vinegar? Why do people use apple cider vinegar? Does it work? What are the benefits, side effects and possible safety concerns?

Sore Throat Remedies
Learn about sore throat remedies, including slippery elm, licorice, lemon, cayenne, and apple cider vinegar tea, and more.

Alkaline Acid Diet
The alkaline diet is a diet that emphasize fresh fruit and vegetables. It's based on the diet our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate. Learn the essentials about the alkaline diet.

Raw Food Diet
A raw food diet is based on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods. What are the benefits and diet guidelines? What are possible side effects and what do critics say about the raw food diet?

Hoodia Side Effects
Hoodia gordonii is a herb used for weight loss. What are the side effects and safety concerns of hoodia gordonii pills?

Gas, Flatulence, and Bloating
Find out the causes of gas, flatulence, and bloating and learn about natural treatments.

Natural Remedies for UTI
What is a urinary tract infection or UTI? What are natural remedies for urinary tract infection?

Natural Remedies for Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension, fear, or worry. Learn about natural remedies for anxiety, including herbs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, aromatherapy, mind/body stress reduction, and more.

Krill Oil
What is krill oil? Why do people use krill oil? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns?

Mucus in Stool
What can cause mucus in stool? Find out what mucus in stool is and what causes it.

Dark Circles Under Eyes
Dark circles under the eyes can be frustrating. Are there any home remedies that can get rid of dark circles under the eyes?

5 Tips to Boost Concentration
Sam Horn, author of ConZentrate (St. Martin's Press) gives you five FOCUS tips to help you concentrate better.

Quiz: Do You Have Positive Energy?
Take this quiz to find out whether you have positive energy

Herbs, Vitamins, and Nutritional Supplements Index -- A-Z Herbs, Vitamins, and Nutritional Supplements on About.com
Index of herbs and supplements by Cathy Wong, your guide to alternative medicine on About.com.

Chromium Picolinate Toxicity
What are the side effects of chromium picolinate?

Ear Candling
Ear candling is an alternative practice that is thought to remove ear wax. What's involved in ear candling? Does it work?

Natural Sleep Aids
Insomnia is the lack of sleep on a regular basis. Learn the causes, diagnosis, and natural sleep aids and remedies for insomnia, including herbs, supplements, acupuncture, and more.

Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is a supplement thought to work like the popular "statin" drugs. But is it safe? What are the side effects? Find out in this red yeast rice fact sheet.

Acne Remedies
Acne is a common but troublesome skin condition. Find out what causes acne and learn about natural treatments and home remedies for acne.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally
Natural treatments to lower high cholesterol, including supplements such as artichoke, niacin, plant stanols/sterols, and more.

Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth Screening Quiz
A screening quiz that helps assess whether you have small intestine bacterial overgrowth.

A-Z Conditions and Natural Remedy Index
Index of conditions and natural remedies by Cathy Wong, your guide to alternative medicine on About.com.

Cold Sore Remedies
Cold sores, also called oral herpes, are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually occur on or in the mouth. Find out about natural cold sore remedies.

Natural Breast Enlargement
Do natural breast enlargement pills really work? Are they safe? Find out about the possible safety concerns and possible side effects of common herbal ingredients found in breast enlargement pills.

Natural Candida Remedies
Information on natural treatments and home remedies for the treatment of candida, including diet, nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs, lifestyle, and more.

Acidophilus and Probiotics
Probiotics are live microbial organisms that are naturally present in the body. What are probiotics? What is acidophilus? Why do people use it?

Ginger Tea Recipe
Ginger tea has a spicy, invigorating taste and is used as a home remedy for indigestion, nausea, and to ward off colds, flu, and sore throats. Here is a ginger tea recipe.

Biotin
What is biotin? Why do people use it? What are the side effects and safety concerns of biotin?

Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus terrestris is a herb used for mens conditions and sports performance. Find out about the benefits and side effects of tribulus.

Goldenseal
What is goldenseal? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns of goldenseal?

Embarrassing Massage Questions
Do you have a question about massage that you're afraid to ask? Do you tip? Are you supposed to be nude? What if the pressure's not deep enough? What if you're self-conscious about your body? Here are the answers to 10 embarrassing massage questions.

Natural Help for Gray Hair?
I recently heard about supplements and other products that can reduce or reverse gray hair. Is there any truth in these products or are they bogus? Thanks for any input.

Macrobiotic Diet
Macrobiotic diet basics. What is the macrobiotic diet? What is the history, benefits and precautions? What do people eat on the macrobiotic diet?

Ayurvedic Foods for Your Type
The first step towards eating for your Ayurvedic constitution is to find out what your constitutional type or dosha is. Find out what foods balance or aggravate your constitution.

Soft, Foul-Smelling Stools
Soft, foul-smelling stools that float, stick to the side of the bowl, or are difficult to flush away may mean there is increased fat in the stools, called steatorrhea.

Yeast Quiz
The following Candida Screening Quiz is presented here to help you become more familiar with the signs and symptoms of candida infection.

Difficulty with Weight Loss
It's true that we gain weight when we eat more than we can burn off. But this conventional diet wisdom does not always hold true. Weight gain can also be caused by health conditions and nutritonal imbalances. Learn what they are.

Ayurveda Type Quiz
A quiz that helps you determine your Ayurvedic type.

Bromelain
What is bromelain? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns of bromelain?

5 Natural Mood-Boosters
Here are 5 natural mood-boosters.

Candida Screening Quiz
The following Candida Screening Quiz is presented here to help you become more familiar with the signs and symptoms of candida infection.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Thinking of getting deep tissue massage? Do you want to know what it will be like?

Muscle Essential Oil Blend
How to make a fragrant essential oil blend. This essential oil blend can be added to massage oil and used for tight, achy muscles.

Nasal Irrigation
Nasal irrigation, which is sometimes called a sinus rinse or sinus irrigation, involves rinsing the nasal passages. Find out more about nasal irrigation and how to do it.

Toothache Remedies
Toothache has a number of causes. Find out what they are, and learn about two toothache remedies that may help.

Quiz - What Ayurvedic type are you?
Quiz - What Ayurvedic type are you?

Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices. What are the different types of cinnamon? What are the health benefits and side effects?

Natural Rosacea Treatments
What is rosacea? What are symptoms of rosacea? Here are the best natural treatments for rosacea, including herbs and topical extracts.

Foods to Limit Candida Cleanse
A candida cleanse, also known as a candida diet, is a diet that involves temporarily limiting and restricting certain foods. Find out which foods to limit.

Alternative Medicine 101
New to complementary and alternative medicine? Information to get you started.

Natural Constipation Treatment
Here are seven natural treatments for constipation relief.

Healthy Mother's Day Brunch
Healthy mother's day brunch recipes from a celebrity chef and tips on creating a mother's day gift basket that includes herbal teas, flowers, and a spa gift certificate.

Bacterial Overgrowth
Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is a condition that can be present for years before it is detected. It causes gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, mucus in stools, and abdominal pain. People often mistakenly label it irritable bowel syndrome for lack of a proper diagnosis, when the underlying cause is actually small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and natural treatments for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Tips on Being a Smart Consumer
Searching for alternative remedies usually leads to a confusing number of options. Here are 5 tips on using alternative medicine safely.

SAMe
What is SAMe? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns?

Hemorrhoid Remedies
Learn about the symptoms, causes, and natural remedies for hemorrhoid relief.

Natural Hair Loss Treatments
The medical term alopecia means partial or complete loss of hair. Hair loss may result from genetic factors, aging, or local or systemic disease. Causes of hair loss include male pattern hair loss, hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiency, androgen excess, and more. Find out about holistic treatments for hair loss.

5 Tips for Natural Skin Care
Skin is the body’s mirror of our inner health and wellness, both physical and emotional. For example, depression and stress can affect appearance and accelerate the aging of the skin. Here are 5 tips for natural skin care.

Natural Treatments for Eczema
Learn about natural treatments for eczema, including probiotics, gamma-linoleic acid, and topical herbal remedies.

Does Trimspa Work?
Trimspa diet pill review. Trimspa basics, side effects, reasons why people avoid Trimspa diet pills, benefits of Trimspa.

Natural Remedies for Hayfever
Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is a common allergy. Learn about natural remedies for hayfever and allergy relief, including herbs, supplements, and foods to eat and avoid.

10 Aphrodisiac Herbs
Learn the pros and cons of 10 aphrodisiac herbs and supplements.

Which Massage Oil is Best?
There are many different types of massage oils available. Here are 5 great massage oils that can be used alone or in combination.

Room Spray
An easy do-it-yourself room spray that you can make at home.

What is Thai Massage?
What is Thai Massage? How does it work? What is a typical therapy like?

Horny Goat Weed
Information about the Chinese herb horny goat weed.

Colonic vs. Enema
Colonics and enemas both cleanse the colon, but there are some key differences. Find out how a colonic is different than an enema.

Risks of Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is a nutritional supplement used to lower cholesterol. What are the possible risks of red yeast rice?

The Master Cleanse
Overview of the Master Cleanse, also known as The Master Cleanser and the lemonade diet.

Sinus Congestion Remedies
Sinus problems are among the most popular chronic ailments. Learn about natural remedies for sinus congestion and other sinus problems.

Natural Diabetes Treatments
Type 2 diabetes - What is diabetes? What are the symptoms? What are some natural treatments, remedies, and diet for type 2 diabetes?

Tired, Achy Feet
Top picks for office workers, salespeople, and other people who stand on their feet all day, from your About.com guide to Alternative Medicine.

Remedies for Canker Sores
Canker sores are small, painful ulcers in the mouth. Find out about natural remedies and treatments for canker sores, including herbs, supplements, and diet.

Natural Remedies for Heartburn
Learn about the natural remedies for heartburn and GERD.

Vegeterian Cooking
Top picks for the Vegetarian, from your About.com guide.

Natural Depression Remedies
Here are nine natural and herbal remedies that are used for depression, including St. John's wort, SAM-e, omega-3 fatty acids, flower remedies, and more.

Side Effects of Glucosamine
What are the possible side effects of the supplement glucosamine?

Gourmet Gazpacho Soup
What makes gazpacho soup so good is the fresh taste of all the vegetables. It's best in the summer when vegetables are the most flavorful. Learn how to make chef to the celebrities Sabra Ricci's gazpacho soup!

Tongue Diagnosis
What is tongue diagnosis all about?

Computer User
Top Picks for the Computer User, from your About.com guide.

Coffee Enemas
What is a coffee enema? Why do people do it? What are some of the possible side effects?

Tea Tree Oil for Acne
What is tea tree oil? Why is tea tree oil used for acne? How is it applied? Is there any evidence that it works?

What is Devil's Claw?
Information about the herb Devil's Claw.

Remedies for Back Pain Relief
Back pain relief - Here are some of the most popular remedies for back pain relief, including acupuncture, capsaicin cream, vitamins, herbs, and more.

Milk Thistle
What is milk thistle? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns of milk thistle?

Athlete's Foot Remedies
What is athlete's foot (tinea pedis)? What are the symptoms? What are the best natural remedies for athlete's foot.

How to Buy Pure Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii is a herb used for weight loss. Many companies have been accused of selling counterfeit or adulterated hoodia pills. How do you find pure hoodia? Is it even possible?

Yohimbe
Information about the herb yohimbe.

5 Ways to Boost Your Energy
Energy is essential in this sleep-deprived, overstretched, high-speed world. How do we recharge our batteries when there's a constant drain on our resources?

Natural Remedies for Alopecia
What is alopecia areata? What are natural remedies are being used to treat sudden hair loss, or alopecia areata?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common bowel disorder that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, and gas. Learn about natural remedies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including herbs, diet, hypnotherapy, and more.

Intestinal Parasite Remedies
Learn about natural treatments for intestinal parasites, such as garlic, goldenseal, wormwood, grapefruit seed extract, and more.

Remedy for Scars?
A reader asks if there is a good remedy for scars and scar removal.

Vitex
What is vitex? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns?

Chickweed
What is chickweed? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns?

Castor Oil Pack
What is a castor oil pack? How is it made?

Spleen Qi Deficiency
Symptoms of spleen qi deficiency, a pattern of illness in Chinese medicine linked to such symptoms as bloating, gas, and indigestion.

Loose Stools
In traditional Chinese medicine, loose stools, abdominal bloating, lack of energy, and poor appetite are signs of a condition known "spleen qi deficiency". Learn about the cause of loose stools.

Master Cleanse Recipe
A sample recipe for the master cleanse, also called the lemonade diet.

What is Reflexology?
What is reflexology? Is it the same as foot massage? Is it ticklish? What is a typical treatment like?

5 Ways to Boost Water Intake
Many people do not drink enough water. Signs of chronic dehydration include headache, dry skin, tiredness, poor skin, and muscle pain. It can also contribute to the formation of kidney stones, depression, and many other illnesses.

Gum Disease Natural Remedies
Learn about the symptoms and natural remedies for gum disease.

Dandruff Remedies
Information on natural treatments and home remedies for dandruff, including nutritional supplements, vitamins, diet, topical treatments, shampoos, herbs, and other holistic therapies.

Liver Flush
What is a liver flush? Why do people do it? What are the possible side effects?

Healthy Recipes
Try these delicious and healthy recipes at home.

Energizing Essential Oil Blend
How to make an energizing, fragrant essential oil blend. This essential oil blend can be added to massage oil or added to an aromatherapy diffuser to scent a room.

Digestive System Cleanse
Learn how to cleanse the digestive system, using bentonite clay, herbs, diet, and other cleansing and detoxifying methods.

Hot Stone Massage
What is a hot stone massage? What are the stones like? How much does hot stone massage cost?

Policosanol
Policosanol is a supplement thought to work like the popular "statin" drugs. But how reliable is the evidence? Is policosanol safe? What are the side effects?

Colon Cleanse: How Much Do You Know?
How much do you know about colon cleanse products and therapies?

Natural Remedies for Migraine
Learn about natural remedies for migraine relief, including herbs, supplements, and acupuncture.

The Metabolic Typing Diet
Learn about the Metabolic Typing Diet. Find out about the history of the diet, what foods to eat on the diet, strengths of the diet, reasons why people try this diet, and precautions to take.

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. It is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin. It is used as a remedy for depression, insomnia, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and weight loss.

Best Antioxidant Foods
When it comes to antioxidant vitamin content, all foods are not created equal. Find out the top 20 out of 100 foods tested.

Mindfulness Meditation
What is mindfulness meditation? How is it done? Learn a basic mindfulness meditation technique.

Fo-Ti
What is fo-ti? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns of foti?

Natural Carpal Tunnel Relief
Find out about natural carpal tunnel syndrome remedies, such as diet, herbs, acupressure, alternative therapies, and more for carpal tunnel relief.

Ayurvedic Type - Pitta
About the Pitta Ayurvedic type.

Chamomile
What is chamomile? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns?

Breaking a Fast
After fasting, it is important to slowly return to a regular way of eating. This phase should be done carefully to avoid adverse reactions.

Detox Nutrients
List of Nutrients and Foods for Detox.

5 Ways to Cleanse Mind & Body
Our minds and bodies are constantly processing food, drink, thoughts, and emotions. In our 100 miles-per-minute world, we can easily feel overwhelmed. I'd like you to take one day every week or month to stop and clear the mental and physical burden. Here are 5 tips for cleansing your mind and body.

Hypochlorhydria Remedies
Learn about hypochlorhydria (insufficient stomach acid) and natural remedies that are used for this condition.

Bee Pollen
What is bee pollen? Why do people use it? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns of bee pollen?

Natural Remedies for Shingles
Learn about natural remedies for shingles, including proteolytic enzymes, capsaicin cream, and tai chi.

Fucoxanthin
What is fucoxanthin? Why do people use fucoxanthin? Can it help with weight loss? What are the benefits and side effects?

Alpha Lipoic Acid
What is alpha lipoic acid? Why do people use alpha lipoic acid? What are the possible side effects and safety concerns? Are there any dangers involved?