As summer approaches, most people spend more time outdoors; and with that comes the chance of developing a poison ivy allergy. Oils from these devilish weeds are highly noxious, causing a long list of poison ivy allergy symptoms. Contact with a poison ivy plant can produce a red, swollen rash, blisters, pain, and unbearable itching. In addition there may be intense burning, inflammation, and fever. Continue reading
NEW DELHI –
“Although India remains totally opposed to reproductive cloning owing to the doubtful nature of its safety, success utility and ethical acceptability, therapeutic cloning can be considered on case-to-case basis,” Azad said at an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) function.
He said the ICMR should “play an active role in realizing the potential of stem cell research and its technology in modern therapeutic and regenerative medicine”.
“A draft of guidelines for stem cell research/regulation on regulatory aspects of stem cell research and its applications prepared by ICMR will be very useful in this regard, Azad added.
He said, the health ministry will try to bring in a legislation in parliament soon to regulate any deviation in therapeutic cloning and stem cell research. There should not be any (mis-) adventure. Everything should be for treatment.
After giving away ICMR awards to famous health scientists, Azad reiterated India’s progress on vaccine development especially on HIV. He said India has already completed phase one trial to develop vaccine for rota virus and HIV.
The two vaccines have completed phase I trials in India and there is promise of having a vaccine against this dreaded disease, the minister added.
Azad also expressed happiness over the initiation of setting up of a BSL 4 Facility in Pune, one of the higher level of bio-safety lab in the world and will be the first of its kind in India.
Four Things You Didn’t Know About Natural Medicine
If natural medicine still sounds too alternative for you, here are four things that may help mainstream the concept for you.
It’s not so “out there”
In addition to the 38 percent of all adults in the United States who have tried natural medicine, nearly 12 percent of children have used complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies. Veterinarians use it on pets, too. “It’s not just the fringe anymore,” says
“It’s more widespread.” In fact, CAM is considered standard treatment in many European countries (including Germany, which regulates herbs, and France, where hospitals widely use acupuncture), so sometimes alternative treatments new to the States have already been researched and used for years abroad.
Our strong desire to “heal” ourselves with natural medicine has made alternative therapies hot items at spas and resorts. Some treatments may sound like a wacky mix of the scientific and the spiritual—Crystal Bowl Sound Healing (at Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort and Spa in Baja California) claims to activate alpha waves in the brain; Spirit Flight treatment (at Miraval in Tucson, Arizona) is touted as a blend of energy medicine, full-body massage, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and spinal alignment, along with indigenous ceremonial rituals.
Lots of MDs use it
More than half of U.S. medical schools now include at least some courses in alternative medicine. And the government is pumping more money than ever into research. The current budget for the NCCAM is $121.5 million—that’s 61 times as much as it was in 1992, the year the department was founded.
Many people turn to alt med when conventional therapy doesn’t do the trick, says
Some docs use natural products along with prescription medication,
Insurance may pay for it
GE E-Care Plan reimburses for about 80 of out-of-pocket expenses for all alternative medicines and cover chiropractic care, acupuncture or acupressure, massage and nutrition therapy and biofeedback.
You may also be able to deduct some alt med treatments as medical expenses on your tax return if you itemize or as eligible expenses for most flexible-spending and health-savings accounts.
But treatments like these are very popular, and an arm of the National Institutes of Health called the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is researching their validity. In fact, you may be able to take part in a clinical trial for an alt med therapy being studied at a university near you. For information, visit the NCCAM’s Web site.