Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine

Bones (Broken)

■ Aromatherapy: massage in elemi oil prior to casting

■ Bioelectromagnetics: place magnets into the dressings over fractures

■ Healing Touch

■ Reiki

■ Therapeutic Touch

Bruises

■ Aromatherapy: cypress, combine 1 drop of chamomile with 2 tsp. of ice cold

water—soak a cotton pad and apply to affected area

■ Herbs: witch hazel (topical), arnica tablets or massage tincture of arnica into

bruised area; 200–400 mg three times a day of bromelain on an empty stom-

ach

■ Homeopathy: aconite, 1 or 2 doses only over 15 minutes immediately for the

“shock” of the injury

■ Hydrotherapy: cold compresses for first 12 hours with occasional breaks to

prevent excessive chilling

■ Supplements: 2,000 mg vitamin C three times a day for people who bruise

easily; pineapple juice—enzymes speed the rate at which the blood causing

the bruise dissolves

Burns (Minor)

■ Aromatherapy: for pain relief—chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender;

to reduce inflammation—chamomile, clary sage, geranium, lavender, myrrh,

tea tree; to regenerate skin—chamomile, clary sage, eucalyptus, geranium,

myrrh, rose, tea tree

■ Herbs: aloe vera sap, calendula lotion, or raw honey

■ Hydrotherapy: immediately immerse the affected part in ice water for 5–10

minutes with brief break during the first 20 minutes after the injury

■ Magnets: place over site of injury to control pain and speed healing

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