Ethnomedicine is a system that applies both art and science to help the human body to restore its health and well-being. It utilizes natural remedies to activate the immune system. Herbs are used for cleansing, elimination and detoxification. Some are used to stimulate the body’s self-healing capabilities to counteract physical symptoms, whilst others may be used as a tonic to help the body’s immunity.
The practices of traditional medicine dates back many centuries and have therefore been as “tried and tested” as many of the scientific medicines that are generally more harmful and with a higher degree of side effects. The use of herbs and other organic substances by African traditional medicine is a practice now increasingly followed by western medicine.
Traditional medicine has been practiced for centuries, proving its effectiveness over time just as much as many modern scientific treatments, often with fewer harmful side effects. The use of herbs and other natural substances in African traditional medicine is a long-standing approach that is now gaining recognition and adoption in Western medicine.
This modality is chosen for you if Dr Gunter feels it is indicated. It involves the use of meridian therapy and acupressure to functionally restore the body and release blocked lymph, meridians and energy in the body.
Dr. Gunter has an interest in both allergies and food intolerances. Many health problems go unrecognized and incorrectly diagnosed when frequently the underlying cause is an adverse food reaction (allergies or intolerances).
Homeopathy is a system of medicine formulated by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German medical doctor, in the late 1700s. The primary principle of Homeopathic treatment is “like can cure like”, a concept which dates to the father of medicine, Hippocrates, in the 5th century BC. This primary principle of Homeopathy is called the Law of Similars.
This law of Similars states: that which a substance is capable of causing, it is also capable of curing.
‘Like cures like’ can be looked at in several ways. One way is to understand that the body knows what it is doing and that symptoms are its way of taking action to overcome illness.
In actual fact, fever is one such example of this. When the body becomes invaded with a micro-organism (be it a virus or bacteria) the Hypothalamus in the brain increases the internal thermostat, which is what causes fever.
This is done because micro-organisms that cause illnesses in humans have a small range of temperatures in which they can thrive. The immune system knows this and produces the fever in its own attempt to kill the organism.
This healing response is automatic in living organisms; we call it the ‘vital response’. The similar medicine acts as a stimulus to the natural vital response, giving it the impetus it needs to complete its healing work.
Since the initial action of the vital response plus the medicine is to increase the strength of the symptoms, this is our first indication of internal healing taking place, of diseases being cured from within – pushed outwards along established routes of past and present symptoms.
We can also understand the law of similars in terms of hemodynamic – the body’s way of maintaining health.
When a person becomes ill there is an imbalance; for example, if you had a fright one night and the next few evenings you had insomnia this could be considered normal as you adjust and return to health.
If insomnia continues, however, then hemodynamics has not taken place and you have become stuck, you are not in the flow of life. Health is characterized by a flow of vitality.
The administration of a potentised, homeopathic medicine gently exaggerates the ‘stuck’ symptoms thus triggering the healing response.
Conventional western medicines suppress symptoms, masking them, and this is why you often have to stay on drugs for a long time or find your symptoms return when you come off the drugs. Homeopaths do not suppress symptoms.
When the symptoms of insomnia appear and stay, this means the homeodynamic action has become stuck.
The appropriate homeopathic medicine will stimulate the body into action again. Patients will often experience a small and temporary ‘aggravation’ in the symptoms as the vitality is energized into action to overcome the stasis. Now the self-healing power is re-established and the flow of vitality continues again.
Homeopathic remedies are made from substances from all kingdoms of nature – mineral, plant and animal.
Each of these homeopathic remedies have unique physical, mental and emotional capabilities.
Uinehealth Centre treats a variety of female reproductive health issues ranging from absent periods, painful cycles, PCOS, and endometriosis.
Uinehealth Centre has helped many women successfully conceive in the last 8 years. Having a thorough understanding of the reproductive process, several key elements are crucial to meet and Dr. Gunter uses natural techniques, treatments, and medicines to achieve this.
The fertility program is tailored to each individual and begins with diagnostic tests. Once the problems have been ascertained, Dr. Gunter will assess your suitability as a candidate for the treatment program.
Treatment follows a set program for a duration of 7 months, beginning with detoxification protocols and 6 months of natural hormonal and fertility treatment.
Results depend on the starting underlying condition of health, age, and a few other factors. Dr. Gunter focuses on treating the underlying cause of the problem and restoring balance and natural function to the organ systems.
Uinehealth Centre offers a detoxification and weight loss program. This begins with an initial consultation and blood work to determine the cause of the difficulty in losing weight.
After the results are in and a discussion we can begin on lifestyle changes, dietary changes, exercise counseling, and detoxification with herbs and homeopathic remedies.
The time taken depends on how much needs to be done.
The benefit of using natural medicines is that the medicines do not suppress the symptoms and hence side effects do not occur when the correct herb is prescribed.
Herbs have a synergistic vital effect and treat multiple problems at once, synthesized drugs have one isolated ingredient that performs a specific function; the consequences of that specificity are what we call “side effects”.
A pharmaceutical drug typically uses a synthesized version of a plant’s active ingredient. We maintain that an active ingredient can lose its impact or become less safe, if used in isolation from the rest of the plant. For instance, salicylic acid is found in the plant meadow sweet and is used to make aspirin. Aspirin can cause the lining of the stomach to bleed, but meadow sweet naturally contains other compounds that counteract the irritant qualities of salicylic acid. The effect of the whole plant is greater than its parts
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures including those of the Africa, American Indians, Chinese and Egypt . It involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and well being.
Some herbs have potent ingredients and should be treated with the same care and respect as pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, many pharmaceutical drugs are based on the synthesized versions of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. For instance, the heart drug digitalis was derived from the herb foxglove.
In recent years, interest in herbal medicine has skyrocketed, leading to a greater scientific interest in plant. Plants are capable of treating diseases tagged incurable and improving health, often without any significant side effects.
Herbal medicine aims to return the body to a state of natural balance, so that it can start healing itself. Different herbs act on different systems of the body. Some of the herbs that have been scientifically studied, and found to be effective and safe, include:
Ease arthritis, a heaping helping of curry could relieve your pain. That’s because turmeric, a spice used in curry, contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that works similarly to Cox-2 inhibitors, drugs that reduce the Cox-2 enzyme that causes the pain and swelling of arthritis. Also Prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin can help shrink precancerous lesions known as colon polyps, when taken with a small amount of quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in onions, apples, and cabbage. The average number of polyps dropped more than 60% and those that remained shrank by more than 50%. Curcumin also helps clear the brain of the plaques that are characteristic of the disease. For general health, we recommends adding the spice to your cooking whenever possible.
Stop tumors, Rosemary extract helps prevent carcinogens that enter the body from binding with DNA, the first step in tumor formation, according to several studies. To reduce HCAs, we recommends marinating foods in any supermarket spice mix that contains rosemary as well as one or more of the spices thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, or parsley.
Generally used for debility and weakness, for example during recovery from illness. It can be used to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however overuse of ginseng has been associated with raised blood pressure. Some studies show that ginseng can also boost immunity, improve mental functioning and speed the healing processes of the body.
Can be used to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood fats and cholesterol (a type of blood fat) levels. The antibiotic and antiviral properties of garlic mean that it is also used to fight colds, sinusitis and other respiratory infections. Also lowers cancer risk.
Many studies have shown ginger to be useful in treating nausea, including motion sickness and morning sickness.
Commonly used to treat poor blood circulation and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Some studies have found ginkgo biloba to be effective in treating neurological disorders, such as memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
Commonly known as St John’s Wort. Hypericum is just as effective as some synthetic antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression. It is also effective for anxiety and insomnia. Research is currently focusing on hypericum’s antiviral properties and its effect on AIDS.
Take the tincture for acute lymphatic congestion and infection in a dose of 20 drops daily.
This herb is a lymphatic cleanser and helps to rid the lymph system of toxins. Use as a tea or full supplement.
Used to treat inflamed or congested lymph glands. Drink an infusion of 4 grams dried flower heads in 1 cup boiling water, steeped for 5 minutes 3 times a day.
Boosts the immune system and aids the body in fighting infection. It is used to treat ailments such as boils, fever and herpes. Echinacea is under investigation for its use in treating cancer and AIDS.
Lower blood sugar, taking cinnamon extract daily successfully reduced blood sugar by about 10%. Also, cinnamon packs a one-two punch for people with type 2 diabetes by reducing related heart risks. In another study of diabetics, it slashed cholesterol by 13% and triglycerides by 23%. To tame blood sugar, take 1g capsules of standardized cinnamon extract daily. But keep in mind that a large amount of the actual spice can be dangerous, so stick with a water-soluble extract.
This cleanser of the lymph system helps heal problems by removing toxins. Take the tea daily, its available for purchase.
This diuretic can help reduce mild cases of edema.
This natural herbs helps if you’re retaining fluid. Take as a tea or supplement. Available for purchase.
This herb cleanses the lymph glands and nodes to remove waste that may be accumulating. Take as a tincture.