Alternative Remedies Gaining Popularity

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61657-2004May27.html

A majority of Americans are now trying to cure their ills with prayer or

unconventional remedies, including herbal tonics, acupuncture, massage and

yoga, federal researchers reported yesterday.

A new government survey of more than 31,000 U.S. adults nationwide, the most

comprehensive assessment of the use of alternative medicine in the United

States, found that 36 percent are using some kind of " complementary and

alternative " therapy. That number jumps to 62 percent when prayer is

included.

About one-fifth of Americans use " natural " supplements such as herbs and

enzymes, with echinacea being the most popular, used by 40 percent of those

surveyed, followed by ginseng (24 percent), ginkgo biloba (21 percent) and

garlic (19 percent). Twelve percent use deep-breathing exercises for medical

reasons, 8 percent meditate, 5 percent do yoga, 5 percent get massages and 4

percent try diets, the survey found....