Increased Research into Alternative Measures

As the market for alternative medicine and treatments rose to $27 billion in the United States last year, research institutes are devoting more resources to clinical trials of complementary medicines and therapies. The U.S. National Institutes of Health has seen it's budget rise from $2 million in 1993 to $92 million this year.

One researcher looking for a more scientific explanation for the effectiveness of acupuncture is Kenneth Kwong of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Kwong is using Magnetic Resonance Imaging to study the brain, and how it is affected during acupuncture treatment.

His research suggests the brain reacts less severely to pressure from an acupuncture needle on a recognised acupressure point than it does to an ordinary pinprick. The study also found that acupuncture might affect parts of the brain responsible for controlling emotions, such as anger or fear.

Meanwhile, scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in London have been investigating the medicinal properties of herbs and plants used in traditional natural medicine. Their research supports evidence that Figwort helps to stimulate wound healing and plants such as bugle and wild clary may help to reduce inflammation.

Friday, 10 August 2001