Approximately 40% of the world population use alternative medicine on a regular basis. African Traditional Week, which is celebrated between 26 and 31 August, gives an opportunity to learn more about alternative medicine.

Take the quiz and find out how much you know.

The correct answers appear below.

Questions

1. One of the central principles of complementary and alternative medicine is that the body heals itself.
A. True
B. False

2. Which herbal remedy will help when you are suffering from mild depression and don’t want to take antidepressants?
A. Ginkgo biloba
B. Peppermint
C. Lemon thyme
D. St John’s wort

3. Natural products, such as herbal remedies, are always safe.
A. True.
B. False.

4. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the idea of balancing yin and yang.
A. True
B. False

5. You should discuss your use of complementary or alternative therapies with your doctor.
A. True
B. False

6. Which of the following remedies might help if you are having spasms and cramping due to irritable bowel syndrome?
A. Peppermint
B. Lemon balm
C. Ginger
D. Starflower

7. Which of these can help nausea and vomiting?
A. Peppermint
B. Lemon balm
C. Ginger
D. Starflower

8. Which herb is said to help lower blood cholesterol and reduce high blood pressure?
A. Peppermint
B. Garlic
C. Ginger
D. Starflower

9. You have just had major surgery. Which of these could help reduce bruising?
A. Peppermint
B. Chamomile
C. Ginger
D. Arnica

10. One of these herbs is said to delay memory impairment in the elderly.
A. Agnus castus
B. Chamomile
C. Ginkgo biloba
D. Arnica

Answers

1. A – True. Complementary and alternative medicine practitioners see the body as responsible for its own healing. They try to find the best approaches to support the body in its self-healing. Another complementary and alternative medicine principle is prevention, or doing all you can to keep yourself healthy and avoid illness.

2. D – St John’s wort. It is believed that its chemicals elevate dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, much the same as other antidepressants.

3. B – False. Natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe. Herbal and dietary products have chemical properties just like man-made medications do.

4. A – True. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that the body contains two opposite forces; yin is the cold, slow and passive force; yang is the hot, fast and active force. Illness occurs when an imbalance occurs between these forces, allowing a kind of life energy to become blocked. TCM uses several types of treatment, including acupuncture and heat, Chinese herbs and massage, and body manipulation.

5. A – True. Sometimes, complementary and alternative therapies can interfere with the treatment you’re receiving from your doctor.

6. A – Peppermint. It activates an “anti-pain” channel in the colon, soothing inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract.

7. C – Ginger. Pregnant women seem to find ginger helpful when they don’t want to take medications. It has also been found helpful in nausea from chemotherapy. Researchers still don’t know why ginger appears to help nausea.

8. B – Garlic. Garlic was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. Garlic has been used throughout the ages for heart problems.

9. D – Arnica. It can reduce swelling dramatically, prevent muscular soreness and alleviate trauma after an operation.

10. C – Ginkgo biloba. It is also said to improve your circulation.

 

Sources

http://www.funtrivia.com
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu
https://nch.netreturns.biz
http://worldwidetrivia.com
https://www.theguardian.com
https://medlineplus.gov
https://www.adventisthealth.org