Introduction:

All over the civilized world, virtually 1 in 3 individuals will experience an anxiety disorder at least once in their life span, and diagnoses are swelling among young people in particular. It is estimated that the direct health care costs for treating anxiety disorders go above $40 billion every year, and its recurring nature leads to sustained costs for individuals, families and entire societies.

The good news is nature offers many natural solutions for anxiety disorders.

Here are some substances to calm your mind naturally.

1. Kava

Scientifically it is known as Piper methysticum. Kava is a crop of the Pacific islands with and a deep anxiolytic effect, mainly from modulating GABA activity in your brain. It’s available over the counter in countries such as the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

2. Lavender, Rose, Bergamot and Orange Essential Oils

Aromatherapy through the use of essential oils has been widely studied around the world for its ability to relieve anxiety, stress and depression.  Some leading essential oils for this purpose are lavender, rose, bergamot, orange and lemon.

3. Cannabidiol (CBD)

Both animal and human studies indicate that cannabinol, or CBD, a major component of cannabis, offers not just pain relief but also anti-anxiety properties.

4. Psilocybin

It is a powerful psychedelic. Psilocybin is the active ingredient of magic mushrooms. This is said to stimulate serotonergic neurotransmission, and has been shown to shift emotional biases away from negative towards positive stimuli and thus relieve anxiety.

5. Gotu Kola

Also referred to as brahmi and Indian pennywort. It is a perennial flowering plant from the Apiaceae family. Native to the Asian wetlands. It is useful both as a vegetable and therapeutic herb, used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to alleviate anxiety and depression.

6. Chamomile

This is a wonder herb and cannot be forgotten as a favorite tea at night to quiet your mind and calm your tired body.  The first controlled clinical trial of chamomile extract for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) found it may have moderate benefits in patients with mild to moderate cases

7. Passionflower

Another natural anti-anxiety compound is Passiflora incarnata, more popularly known as passionflower, maypop and wild passion vine. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers in South America learned of the plant and brought it to Europe, where it was widely cultivated and became part of European folk medicine.

Conclusion:

Many herbs can interact with over-the-counter and prescription medications. Some can increase or reduce the effects of certain drugs, potentially causing serious health effects.   People taking any kind of medication should consult their doctor or pharmacist before beginning herbal supplements.  It is often seen that herbal remedies can take longer to start working than prescription medications. If a person needs more advice about an herbal product, they should confer with a qualified herbalist about brand, strength, and quantity.

Introduction:

Sujok therapy is a variant of acupressure or acupuncture that uses specific points in hands and feet to treat the ailments. It also makes use of seeds, star magnets, semi -precious stone along with pressure stimulation; which can help in relieving many problems including diabetes and kidney stones.

In Sujok therapy, palm and foot represent all the organs/meridians in the body. Su means hand while jok means palm. Sujok can be done with other therapies also and it produces no side effects.

This therapy was developed by Professor Park Jae Woo, this therapy is 100% safe, simple and easy to perform even by the patients. Since hands and feet are the locations of systems of active points corresponding to all organs and part of the body, stimulation of these points produces a curative effect. This method is universal. With the help of sujok, various kinds of illnesses can be treated. There is no need for any precautions to be taken during the treatment. Since the therapy is natural and curing only the natural forces in and around the body, it is also one of the safest therapies ever known.

Some illnesses where Sujok is effective:

Mental disorders
Sujok therapy works wonder in healing various kinds of mental disorder like phobia, depression, anxiety, addiction etc. It helps by enhancing physical and mental health and restoring all over balance through the stimulation of the meridians

Heals injuries
Sujok therapy greatly benefits of all type of injuries related to neck, feet, hands, joints etc. It also treats inflammation and other problems like arthritic pain, carpel tunnel syndrome and gout along with other skin and reproductive problems.

Diabetes
Sujok therapy is a variation of acupressure, which used specific points on hands and feet to treat the ailments. It also make use of seeds, semi precious stones along with pressure stimulation that help relieve problem like diabetes and kidney stones.

Weight loss
Sujok therapy has a great potential on controlling obesity. The therapy increases blood circulation and reduces the extra lipids. Thus, helps in managing your weight easily.

Use of seeds in Sujok:

A seed has a life. This is well explained by the fact that when we sow a seed, it develops into a tree. Keeping this in mind, when we put and rub a seed on the pressure points, it bestows upon us the life and takes away the disease. For instance, round, spherical shaped seeds of pea and black pepper are known to provide relief to ailments related to eyes, head, knee joints and back problems. The kidney shaped red beans are used to treat kidney and stomach related disorders. The seeds with sharp corners are applied by mechanical method and exert pathological influence on the body.

It is seen that after the treatment, the seeds also change their structure, shape and color (they may become fragile, discolored, enlarge or decrease in size, shrivel, crack or even fall to pieces). Such reactions show how seeds take away the pain and disease.

Conclusion:

Today, stress has become a part of our lifestyle. Right from a child to an elder citizen, it affects everyone which in the longer run causes severe illness. While most of us depend on pills, a simple touch on the tip of your thumb with the index finger of any hand helps to give miraculous results. For a lasting effect, one should repeat this action to get an ultimate relief. Tai chi also helps to reduce stress and anxiety. And it also helps increase flexibility and balance.

Through Sujok, one can diagnose the problem easily. By pressing the key points and applying pressure in the right direction, one can cure the problem. Sujok helps to heal certain physical problems such as BP, headache, bronchitis, asthma, gastric acidity, ulcer, constipation, migraine, vertigo, irritable bowel syndrome, gastro esophageal reflex disease, disc prolapse, and complications due to chemotherapy, menopause, excessive bleeding and many more. Likewise, to cure depression, anger, fear and worries, sujok is an ultimate therapy for soul and body that provides natural treatment to the patients, who otherwise, depend on pills to cure such diseases.

Introduction:

Ultraviolet blood irradiation (UBI) was comprehensively used in the 1940s and 1950s to treat many diseases including septicemia, pneumonia, tuberculosis, arthritis, asthma and even poliomyelitis. The early studies were carried out by several physicians in USA and published in the American Journal of Surgery. However with the development of antibiotics, the use of UBI declined and it has now been called “the cure that time forgot”.

It is a natural, alternative treatment.  Ultraviolet blood irradiation (UVB), or photoluminescence, therapy helps improve the oxygen levels in the blood, and in turn, increases overall immune function. During this safe and painless treatment, blood is drawn, exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light and returned to the body in order to support healing.

What is the procedure?

A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient, much like donating blood. All of the blood is combined with saline, circulated through a machine exposing it to ultraviolet light and returned to the patient in a sterile, closed-loop system. Bacterial and viral cells absorb about five times as much photonic energy as their healthy counterparts and are killed off while healthy cells remain intact and the blood gains oxygen. When the blood is reintroduced containing the weakened or dead pathogen, the body can react similarly to the way it understands a vaccine. Immune response increases against the specific virus or bacteria that were in the blood, and we see accelerated improvement in the patient’s symptoms and health.

What Are the Advantages of Photoluminescence Therapy?

Photoluminescence therapy has been shown to stimulate the body’s immune system and stave off infections. This intravenous therapy also works to:

• Increase oxygen absorption into body tissues
• Prevent fungal, viral and bacterial growth
• Improve circulation
• Decrease platelet aggregation
• Boost the body’s natural detoxification processes
• Lower cholesterol and creatinine levels
• Increase white blood cell count

Who Can Benefit from Photoluminescence Therapy?

Patients who have stubborn and recurrent conditions may benefit from this photoluminescence will benefit.  Photoluminescence therapy works by getting to the root of your issues to treat the underlying condition that’s causing your symptoms and stopping them from reoccurring. Conditions that may benefit from photoluminescence therapy include:

• Allergies and asthma
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cancer
• Influenza, cold or viral/bacterial infections
• Fibromyalgia
• Macular degeneration
• Multiple sclerosis
• Coronary artery disease

Conclusion:

With the advent of modern antibiotics this therapy has largely been given up. It is now largely delegated to medical history books. This therapy however does help increase oxygen absorption into body tissues. Prevent fungal, viral and bacterial growth. Improve circulation. Decrease platelet aggregation.

Introduction:

Bioresonance therapy was invented (in Germany) in 1977 by Franz Morell and his son-in-law, engineer Erich Rasche.

Bioresonance is a form of holistic diagnosis and therapy. It is claimed that the bioresonance devices used in the therapy can study the energy wavelengths coming from cells within the body and that the frequencies of these wavelengths provide information about the health of the body.

Bioresonance is a non-invasive therapy which involves placing electrodes on your skin for diagnosis and treatment. The electrodes are connected to a Bicom machine which checks the energy wavelengths coming from your body, and then counteracts bad frequencies by restoring the optimum balance.

Bioresonance is based on the idea that unhealthy cells or organs emit altered electromagnetic waves due to DNA damage.

Practitioners believe they can interpret the results obtained from the devices which can then be used to diagnose diseases or adverse medical conditions. Some practitioners also claim to use the results to treat the diagnosed conditions by using the same electromagnetic frequencies to create healthy “resonance” within the body’s cells.  

Proponents of bioresonance believe that detection of these waves can be used to diagnose disease, and changing these waves back to their normal frequency will treat disease.

Bioresonance therapy helps in the following conditions. These include:

• Smoking cessation
• Abdominal pain
• allergies and related conditions, such as eczema and asthma
• rheumatoid arthritis
• cancers
• fibromyalgia
• overtraining syndrome

Risks and side effects:

To date, studies on bioresonance haven’t found any side effects. It has generally been called a painless procedure.

The biggest risk is that using bioresonance could stop people from receiving other, evidence-based treatments. If bioresonance doesn’t work, this could have a negative effect on health outcomes.

Conclusion:

While some small studies show positive effects from bioresonance, these are limited.  Although bioresonance most likely has no negative side effects, it should not be used as a first-line or only treatment for any condition.

Introduction:

Activated charcoal is a fine, odorless, black powder often used in emergency rooms to treat overdoses. Its toxin-absorbing properties have a wide range of medicinal and cosmetic uses, though none are scientifically proven.

Some proven benefits of using activated charcoal:

Emergency toxin removal
this is the main reason we’ve all heard of activated charcoal at some point in our lives, as the substance is touted by Poison Control as an emergency treatment for toxins.  Not only is it beneficial for the accidental ingestion of substances like bleach or pesticides, but it can help to counteract the effects of a drug overdose as well.

Full body anti-aging product
Rather than using products that claim anti-aging benefits which simply target your physical appearance, activated charcoal has the necessary components to keep your entire body fresh and alive! Working to eliminate toxins and chemicals that linger in our bodies, taking a few capsules of activated charcoal per day can flush your system.  This can help to improve mental clarity, support a healthy digestive system, and can even reduce kidney and liver problems.

Cleaner drinking water
many cities find their drinking water contains chemicals including fluoride, solvents, and toxins. Using an activated charcoal water filter to carbon filter your water will help to clean up your tap and provide you with great tasting water.

Helping with a hangover
Activated charcoal is also reported to help reduce or even completely prevent a hangover if taken while drinking alcohol. The ability of this substance to adsorb toxins and prevent alcohol from getting into your bloodstream sounds like nothing short of a miracle.

Whitens your teeth
If you browse through social media you’ll no doubt see people using activated charcoal to whiten their teeth. For the most part, it works wonderfully to latch onto the tiny particles that cause stains, yet it may not work if you have crowns or veneers.

Helps to relieve gas and bloating
many individuals suffer from digestive problems including gas and bloating after meals. If this is a common occurrence and becomes problematic, it works to bind together the elements in your meal that cause gas and bloating and helps you to eliminate them in the bathroom. Make sure to drink plenty of water with the activated charcoal and right after taking it to help get it into your system for quick relief.

Acting as a general beauty aid
it makes sense that activated charcoal can be used for a variety of treatments, as its powerful ability to eliminate toxins has been proven time and time again. Use it on your skin to tighten pores, treat acne, heal bug bites and cuts, and balance oily skin. Rather than ingesting activated charcoal like so many other instances call for, using it as a skin mask or a topical treatment can yield fast results.

Cleanse your digestive system

It can be used to cleanse the digestive system many people integrate it as part of their daily routine and couple it with plenty of water and a healthy diet. It works to remove toxins from your system that cause poor immune function and the plethora of symptoms that come along with it.

Lower your high cholesterol
attaching itself to cholesterol and bile acids in our digestive system, activated charcoal can help prevent these compounds from moving into the bloodstream. As with all other instances of taking this amazing substance, the elements that it binds to will pass through your body when you defecate.

Conclusion:

To date, there have been no adverse reactions noted with activated charcoal in any of its various forms. People taking medications should talk with a doctor before taking oral activated charcoal products; however, as these may interfere with absorption of their medication.

Introduction:

To put it very simply, Cancer refers to a large number of diseases categorized by unregulated replication of cells.  There are many studies, which suggest that dietary ingredients can reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is also true that certain life style habits can contribute to the increased incidence of cancer.

Instituting some dietary changes may be helpful:

Alcohol and cancer:

It has been seen that alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and voice box particularly in conjunction with cigarette smoking. It is very apparent from most studies that former drinkers have significantly lower risks for these cancers compared with current drinkers. There is a strong correlation between alcohol consumption and the risk of having liver cancer. Little however is known about the effect of alcohol intake on the risk of female cancers other than breast cancer.

Fiber in the diet:

Whole grains such as rye, brown rice, and whole wheat contain high amounts of insoluble fiber—the type of fiber some scientists believe may help protect against a variety of cancers. People who eat relatively high amounts of whole grains were reported to have low risks of lymphomas and cancers of the pancreas, stomach, colon, rectum, breast, uterus, mouth, throat, liver, and thyroid.

The best way out is to consume diet that is high in insoluble fiber. This is achieved by switching from polished rice to brown rice, from bakery goods containing white flour to whole wheat bread, whole rye crackers and whole grain pancakes.  This lifestyle modification is healthy and can prevent cancers.

A vegetarian diet protects against cancer:

Eating meat is associated with a risk of cancer. It is believed that vegetarians have a stronger immune system. It is also seen that female vegetarians have lower estrogen levels compared with meat-eating women, possibly explaining a lower incidence of uterine and breast cancers.  If we study the comparative anatomy of carnivores versus herbivores, it is seen that herbivores have a long small and large intestine. Man is also created to be a herbivore. His small and large intestine is long, so that he can digest the complex carbohydrates found in a vegetarian diet. That is why meat-eating humans are more prone to intestinal and abdominal cancer. It is seen that carnivores have a very short large intestine, so that they can quickly eliminate the toxins in meat.  In one report, high consumption of hot dogs was associated with an almost tenfold increase in the risk of childhood leukemia when compared with low consumption.  In another report, maternal consumption of hot dogs and childhood consumption of hamburgers or hot dogs at least once per week were associated with a doubling of the risk of cancers in children. It is also true that children who took meat and vitamin supplements had lesser incidents of cancer. Processed meats, such as hot dogs, contain nitrates and nitrites—precursors to carcinogens. Antioxidants found in multivitamins keep nitrates and nitrites from converting into dangerous carcinogens.

However fish eaters have been reported to have low risks of cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, and prostate. It is widely believed that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish have a protective effect against cancer.

Fruits and vegetables:

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is widely accepted as lowering the risk of most common cancers.  Many doctors recommend that people wishing to reduce their risk of cancer eat several pieces of fruit and several portions of vegetables every day.  Most doctors also recommend that people should not consider supplements as substitutes for the real thing. Some of the anticancer substances found in produce have probably not yet been discovered, while others are not yet available in supplement form. Fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene and flavonoids and these substances have anti-cancer properties. Protective flavonoids are found in herbs and plant foods. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in onions and apples and has been found to be protective against cancer.

Vegetables like tomato contain Lycopene, which is an antioxidant and it is considered to inhibit cancer proliferation.

There is enough evidence to support that the protective effect for tomato consumption was strongest for cancers of the prostate, lung, and stomach, but some evidence of a protective effect also appeared for cancers of the pancreas, colon, rectum, esophagus (throat), mouth, breast, and cervix.

Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower have potent anti-cancer activity.  These vegetables exert their protective effects because they contain indole-3 carbinol, glucaric acid and sulforaphane.

Too much coffee is not good:

 It is believe that increased coffee consumption leads to a higher the risk of pancreatic cancer. Coffee drinking is also associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Calories and Cancer:

Scientists have known for many years that severe restriction of calories dramatically reduces the risk of cancer in laboratory animals.  In one report, adults with cancer were more likely to have consumed more calories during childhood compared with healthy adults. In other reports, attempts to find associations between reduced intake of calories and cancer have produced mixed results. Only severerestriction in caloric intake provides significant protection in animal studies.  As most people are unlikely to severely restrict calories, the association between caloric restriction and protection from cancer may ultimately prove to only be of academic interest.

Dietary Fat and cancer:

Excess of saturated fat in the diet, as found in eggs and animal fat does point out to an increased incidence of cancer. It is seen that a higher dietary intake of fat does predispose to a risk of cancer. In humans it has been found that poly unsaturated fatty acid intake, which is found in nuts, seed and vegetable oils is not associated with cancer risk.

Refined sugar and refined salt and their risk for cancer:

There is an indication that taking refined sugar increases the risk of gall bladder cancer. Refined salt intake is shown to increase the rates of stomach cancer.  Associations between foods preserved with salt and the risk of cancers of the head and neck have also been reported.

Conclusion:

The incidence of cancers is definitely on the increase. We can definitely change our dietary habits and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Introduction:

The concept of anthroposophy was developed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) and explores the extent to which a person has achieved awareness of their inner life and lives in harmony with the surrounding natural and social world.

The Dutch doctor Ita Wegman (1876-1943), co-founder of Weleda, further influenced the development of anthroposophic medicine. The system is based on the results of scientifically-oriented (also called ‘conventional’) medicine and the knowledge and methods of anthroposophy. It is an integrative medicine which is not identified as an ‘alternative medicine’. As part of a range of special therapeutic systems, which also include homeopathy and herbal medicine, anthroposophic medicine aims to build on conventional medicine by using specific therapeutic methods and medicines.

What are the principles?

Anthroposophic medicine always starts with a conventional diagnosis – but the physician or therapist is not guided simply by the symptoms of an illness. Instead, they examine psychological, mental and spiritual aspects of the patient’s experience, the capacity for self-healing and the ability for continuous development.

The bridge between the physical and emotional element in diagnosis and treatment is only one of the unique founding principles of anthroposophic medicine.  In addition, the doctor or therapist observes the patient’s whole personality and characteristics, including aspects of physical build and body language – flow of movement, type of handshake, sleep patterns, heat and cold intolerance, respiration and physical rhythms.

The human being is seen and understood on four planes:

1. The material or physical plane, examinable physically or technically as in conventional medicine
2. The life forces plane, or vitality of the individual
3. The mental plane – which can be understood as the psychological or emotional realm
4. The individual plane – the spiritual individuality or character of the person, sometimes known as the ego.

When creating a detailed medical history and making the resulting choice of individually-tailored medication, co-operation between doctor and patient is essential for recovery. Recovery is a collaborative process in which the doctor includes the patient at every step and in which the patient will actively participate.

How are the medicines made?

Anthroposophic medicines are produced according to anthroposophic pharmaceutical principles and processes, some of which they share with homeopathy, while some are non-homeopathic processes reflecting the inter-relation between people and the world of nature. Their manufacture is governed by standards of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and their quality controlled by the criteria and parameters of official pharmacopoeias.

Benefits:

Anthroposophical medicine can be used to treat any health condition. It is particularly recommended for preventive care, infections, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and the treatment of cancer and chronic degenerative diseases associated with aging. It is also recommended for pediatric (child) care, with its avoidance of toxic drugs, and is beneficial for children’s conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental problems.

Side effects:

AM medications are safe and non-toxic. During treatment, some patients may experience what doctor’s call “healing crises.” During these, patients may temporarily experience a worsening of symptoms as part of the healing process, including fever, headaches, nausea, weakness, muscle soreness, and other symptoms.

Conclusion:

Patients treated by anthroposophic physicians after an initial prolonged consultation had long-term reduction of chronic disease symptoms and improvement of quality of life.

Introduction:

Autogenic training (AT) is a relaxation technique developed by German psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz and was first published in 1932. Since that time, it has been widely used in clinical practice and research to foster the mind’s ability to produce relaxation in this reflects the ability to self-produce a relaxed feeling of warmth and heaviness throughout the body by saying various verbal phrases aimed at encouraging a state of physical relaxation and emotional calm. It is considered a form of self-hypnosis and is used to increase relaxation and restore balance in the body. It is a technique often recommended when a health issue is present and when stress is a contributing factor to producing or maintaining health issues. The body. Autogenic means self-generating, or produced from within.

Specific phases of Autogenic training:

The core of AT is standard exercises that focus on six physical manifestations of relaxation in the body:

1. Heaviness in the musculoskeletal system
2. Warmth in the circulatory system
3. Awareness of the heartbeat
4. Slowing down the breath
5. Relaxing the abdomen
6. Cooling the forehead

How is it taught?

AT can be taught in individual sessions, and it is frequently used in group treatment. Training is best done while sitting or lying in a comfortable position, as it allows the mind and body to switch off the sympathetic fight/flight/freeze stress response and restore the parasympathetic rest, recuperation, and recovery response. It is recommended that a person learn AT with a licensed professional. They can help explore positive relaxation responses experienced with AT, process any possible negative initial relaxation responses, and examine ways to enhance motivation for practice. It typically takes several training sessions to master AT, and without regular practice, it is not likely to have an effect. Success with AT requires motivation and commitment to practice regularly.

Benefits of Autogenic training:

Autogenic training could consistently and significantly reduce some symptoms of anxiety. Conditions such as social anxiety disorder (SAD), general anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, and insomnia can benefit from autogenic training, Autogenic training is also helpful in managing daily stress and it can even be helpful during panic attacks.

Drawbacks:

Autogenic training should not replace your current treatment plan. If you’re participating in psychotherapy or taking medication for anxiety, autogenic training should be used in addition to your current treatment.

Conclusion:

Autogenic training is a relaxation technique that can help lower stress levels and promote a feeling of calm in the mind and body.

Although this method is useful on its own for minor stress reduction and basic relaxation exercises, autogenic training should not replace psychotherapy or medication for mental health conditions.

Introduction:

Animal therapy or pet therapy refers to the use of animals as a way to help people cope with and recover from some physical and mental health conditions.

Animals may be able to provide comfort, alert others if someone is in danger, or even perform direct actions to help a person’s condition when they are in need. It is a type of complementary or alternative therapy. It should augment but not replace other treatments

Animal assisted therapy helps the patients by:

• reducing boredom
• increasing movement and activity through walks and play
• providing companionship and decreasing loneliness
• increasing social interactions
• improving mood and general well-being

Goals of Animal assisted therapy:

Animal therapy can have several goals, and these will determine how it works. The type of therapy and target for this therapy may change depending on the condition and the type of aid that a person needs. Some examples include:

• providing comfort and reducing levels of pain
• improving movement or motor skills
• developing social or behavioral skills
• increasing motivation toward activities such as exercise or interacting with others

Improves physical health:

Some forms of animal therapy may also help with markers of physical conditions, including:

• epilepsy
• heart failure
• pain from cancer treatment
• postoperative recovery
• recovery after a major stroke or another condition that causes a person to lose motor skills

Improves mental health

• decreasing anxiety and stress
• decreasing perceptions of pain
• reducing feelings of fear or worry
• increasing feelings of social support
• providing motivation, stimulation, and focus

Risks of animal assisted therapy:

While animal therapy may be helpful for people with certain health issues, it may not be right for everyone.

Some people may be allergic to the animals that commonly play a role in therapy.

Others may simply be uncomfortable with or afraid of the animals. They may not choose this type of therapy as it would cause them more stress.

Conclusion:

Animal therapy is a complementary treatment. It is not a basis for the treatment of any condition and should only enhance or complement other treatment. It is not a replacement for other forms of therapy, such as psychotherapy or physical therapy.

This form of therapy might not suit everyone, however. People who do not respond well to animal therapy or are not interested in trying it may ask about other options. These alternatives will vary depending on the person’s condition.

Introduction:

Bibliotherapy is a therapy where the use of literature helps people cope with emotional problems, mental illness, or changes in their lives.  The underlying foundation of bibliotherapy is that clients identify with literary characters similar to themselves, an association that helps the clients release emotions, gain new directions in life, and explore new ways of interacting. Teenage readers, for example, may feel relief that they are not the only ones facing a specific problem. They learn vicariously how to solve their problems by reflecting on how the characters in the book solve theirs

Basic stages in bibliotherapy:

Generally, activities in bibliotherapy are designed to:

• provide information
• provide insight
• stimulate discussion about problems
• communicate new values and attitudes
• create awareness that other people have similar problems
• provide realistic solutions to problems

Benefits and limitations of bibliotherapy:

In addition to the “how” of conducting bibliotherapy, practitioners also need to be aware of potential benefits and pitfalls associated with this procedure. Bibliotherapy has obvious value in that it provides the opportunity for the participants to recognize and understand themselves, their characteristics, and the complexity of human thought and behavior. It may also promote social development as well as the love of literature in general, and reading in particular.  It reduces feelings of isolation that may be felt by people with problems.

The effectiveness of bibliotherapy, however, may be limited by the accessibility of materials on certain topics, as well as the lack of client readiness and willingness to read. It may backfire when subjects project their own motives onto characters and thus reinforce their own perceptions and solutions.  In addition, participants may be defensive, thus discounting the actions of characters and failing to identify with them, or even end up using them as scapegoats.

Conclusion:
Bibliotherapy is a potentially powerful method for school teachers and counselors to use on many levels and in every school grade. In order to establish a strong bibliotherapy program in an institution, practitioners must present the procedure as a non-threatening one; by let us say calling the process biblioguidance.  They must also solicit the input and advice of colleagues, parents, and administrators. In addition, they must always be vigilant to the limitations of bibliotherapy.