9 Bizarre Types of Alternative Medicine That Actually Work

Not everyone has luck with, or trusts, traditional Western medicine. Perhaps you’ve tried everything and can’t seem to get better, or you just want to try a different method of healing your ailments.

That’s where alternative medicine come in. You’ve probably heard of some popular types of alternative medicine like acupuncture and massage. But there are some bizarre types of holistic medicine that you probably haven’t heard of, like snake massage and rebirthing.

Keep reading to learn all about these strange types of alternative medicine that, surprisingly, work.

1. Reiki

Reiki is a type of energy healing. It’s based on the idea that everything from you to the Reiki practitioner to a rock on the ground all have a common energy. Channeling and manipulating this energy can work to heal both physical and mental ailments.

During a Reiki treatment, you’re usually laying on a massage table. The difference between massage and Reiki is that, usually, a Reiki practitioner will not touch you. They will move their hands to hover over various areas of your body and focus on channeling energy to heal whatever is bothering you.

Many scientific studies show the benefits of Reiki for both mental and physical issues.

2. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to heal a number of diseases and disorders.

These oils are extracted from different types of roots, plants, seeds, and leaves, with each type used for different types of healing. These oils are usually rubbed onto the skin, but they are also sometimes ingested or inhaled via a diffuser.

Some of the most common types of oils used are eucalyptus and lavender. Eucalyptus is known for decongestant properties and helping with simple illnesses like cold and flu. Lavender is used for relaxation, stress relief, skin care, and wound healing.

3. CBD Oil

Like essential oils, CBD oil is an oil isolated from a natural plant. The weird thing with CBD oil is that it comes from marijuana.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. That pot is for stoners, hippies, and people who live in California. While that isn’t untrue, CBD oil is for everyone and can be used to help a number of health issues both physical and mental in nature.

CBD oil contains no THC, which means it won’t get you high. Its main component is cannabidiol, also known as CBD. CBD oil has been shown to help lessen symptoms of depression, prevent seizures, help with pain management, and reduce inflammation.

Check out this site for more information on this method of alternative healing.

4. Rebirthing

Compared to the other things on this alternative medicine list so far, this one is by far the most bizarre. Rebirthing is a type of “breathwork” therapy that attempts to mimic the traumatic experience you had as a baby being born.

This begs the questions: why would you ever want to do this? Apparently, reliving this traumatic experience with focused and deliberate breathing techniques can help relieve you of current trauma.

Patients say it helps them relieve both emotional and physical pain.

5. Beer Baths and Spas

No, this isn’t just a frat guy’s million dollar Shark Tank idea. This is a legitimate healing method where you bathe in a huge tub of hot, yeasty, bubbly beer.

Soaking in a tub of this hot alcoholic beverage is said to help soothe muscles and promote relaxation. Some studies say that soaking in beer can help reduce wrinkles and improve skin conditions like eczema or rashes.

You can also sip on a beer while in the beer bath for the ultimate meta beer experience.

6. Cryogenic Therapy

When you think of cryogenic therapy, you might think of that scene in Austin Powers where he is frozen in a block of ice to preserve him to fight evil in the future.

This isn’t too far off from what it actually is. Cryogenic therapy involves standing in a chamber where nitrogen gas with a temperature of -200 degrees Fahrenheit surrounds your whole body. You’ll be naked except for cute little coverings around your junk to prevent them it from getting frostbitten (seriously).

Exposure to these extreme temperatures has been shown to help with muscle healing, reduction of inflammation, weight loss, migraine relief, anxiety/depression relief, and more.

7. Leeching

Leeches are something most people like to avoid and pretend that they don’t exist. But some people seek out these blood-sucking slugs in order to help with wound healing.

Leeches are great at sucking blood because when they latch on, chemicals in their saliva improve blood flow and thin out blood. Putting a leech on a wound, an area with blood clots, or an area that needs increased circulation will help break up clots, increase blood flow, and promote wound healing.

8. Snake Massage

We all know that massaging muscles can promote relaxation, release muscle tension, reduce headaches, improve circulation, and more. But why get a massage from a massage therapist when you could get massaged by multiple snakes writhing all over your body?

That’s the premise behind snake massage. You’ll get all the benefits of a massage, but it will be performed by snakes. A pile of snakes will be placed on your body where their slithering bodies will relieve muscle tension.

9. Urine Therapy

Why not save one of the grossest types of holistic medicine for last? Drinking your own urine apparently has some great benefits, according to proponents of urine therapy.

It’s thought that the minerals, salts, and vitamins found in urine can help improve your overall health. This is up for debate, with some people saying the taste and the potential toxins pose a threat. Others can’t wait to chug their pee in order to reduce inflammation and liver health.

We’ll let you decide on this one.

Weird Types of Alternative Medicine That Actually Work: Wrapping Up

Your health is a serious subject, and many people aren’t finding the relief they need from traditional western medicine. The good news is that there are hundreds of types of alternative medicine that actually work and can help relieve some of your worst symptoms.

If you’re brave enough to drink your own pee or get massaged by snakes, let us know if it worked for you. You can also check out our other articles on health if you want some other treatment options.

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