Data shows that almost 40% of people in the US prefer alternative medicine over standard methods. In fact, from Tom Cruise to Angelina Jolie, many celebs have already embraced non-conventional medicine.
Ayurveda, Far East medicine, energy healing, and cupping: there is a wide range of alternative methods that can help people lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a positive attitude. After all, psychologists and placebo studies reveal that a positive mindset can help patients keep a healthy balance between body and mind.
Nevertheless, alternative medicine raises numerous concerns. Unhygienic procedures and supplements that haven’t been approved by FDA have to potential to be harmful, in some cases. In fact, some alternative treatments have not been researched at all; and when it comes to meds, "natural" does not necessarily mean safe.
Paradoxically, while some developing countries opt for lifesaving treatments, celebs can afford to experiment with alternative medicine. So, here are 20 celebs who favor non-conventional medicine.
19 Angelina Jolie: Healthy & International
Angelina Jolie is one of the most beautiful and successful moms in Hollywood. The talented actress and director is also an advocate of human rights and healthy living. When Angelina Jolie announced she held the BRCA1 mutation, which may increase the chances of developing cancer, she encouraged many people around the world to get tested and seek professional help.
At the same time, charming Angelina Jolie used her fame to help patients research alternative medicine, such as holistic treatments, to improve their health. Note that holistic treatments include novel procedures to heal the whole person, including their emotional and mental health.
18 Steve Jobs: Vegetarian Beliefs And Buddhism
Steve Jobs was one of the greatest minds of our time. When the successful co-founder of Apple became sick, he turned to alternative medicines and lifestyle. Steve Jobs embraced a vegetarian diet and Buddhist practices in hope to cure his medical condition and avoid surgery.
Lately, the vegetarian lifestyle is becoming more and more popular, especially among millennial parents. Usually, a vegetarian lifestyle is associated with a high content of vitamins, fiber, and even folic acid. As we know, folic acid is described as a "pregnancy superhero."
17 Farrah Fawcett: Are German Methods Effective?
Farrah Fawcett was one of the most talented and beautiful actress in the US. Sadly, she was diagnosed with a serious illness in 2006. As a result, Farrah Fawcett turned to alternative medicine. According to health.com, the famous actress even traveled to Germany to get natural supplements and immune treatments which weren’t approved in the US.
Note that when it comes to medicine, regulations are vital. According to qz.com, "making outrageous claims for alternative medicine is considered health fraud, except in the field of homeopathy." In fact, "all prescription and non-prescription products labeled as homeopathic go to market without FDA approval."
16 Russell Simmons: Healing Meditation
Believe it or not, even the famous hip-hop producer Russell Simmons is a big fan of alternative methods and relaxation techniques. As Simmons said, "meditation has given me energy, strength, health, wisdom, and access to my own inner stillness, inner silence, inner bliss. It is my connection to myself; it is my connection to the universe."
Even though meditation can’t cure serious health conditions, we have to agree that inner peace and self-love are essential factors, which can help patients heal and maintain a positive lifestyle. There must be a balance between body and mind.
15 Gwyneth Paltrow: What Is Cupping?
Beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow is another famous advocate for healthy living and alternative methods. In 2004, she didn’t hesitate to show marks of cupping on her back. We should mention that cupping is an ancient therapy used to reduce pain and increase one’s well-being. The procedure consists in placing hot cups on a client’s back to create a vacuum.
Another alternative practice is the ancient leech therapy, or hirudotherapy. It's interesting to mention that medicinal leeches contain numerous therapeutic compounds which can relieve pain and remove infected tissue. It's no surprise leech therapy is still popular today.
14 Oprah: FDA Unapproved Treatments
Oprah Winfrey is another successful celeb who supports alternative medicine. In fact, many celeb advocates of alternative methods have appeared on her show - something that triggered numerous debates. As The Oprah Winfrey Show is popular worldwide, critics were concerned that celebs may influence people’s opinions without backing their arguments with any scientific evidence.
According to health.com, even Jenny McCarthy appeared on Oprah’s TV show. As we know, Jenny McCarthy does not hesitate to voice her beliefs.
13 Jim Carrey: What About Vaccines?
There’s no doubt that Jim Carrey is one of the funniest dads in Hollywood. Nevertheless, his beliefs raise some questions. The actor doesn’t hesitate to use Twitter to share his concerns about conventional methods. The comedian even supports the anti-vaccination movement, claiming that "the truth is... no one without a vested interest in the profitability of vaccines has studied all 36 of them in depth."
Although the anti-vaccination movement has a long history, we should mention that recently, more and more cases of measles have been reported across Europe and the US.
12 Diana: Reflexology Treatments
We all love Princess Diana. Interestingly enough, beautiful and charming Diana was a member of a facility called the Chinese Clinic. Some of the alternative methods employed included Australian remedies, colonic hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, and reflexology.
We should mention that electrical stimulation can be very effective; it can improve a patient's muscle functioning. In addition, reflexology can be also beneficial. It's an ancient massage technique to boost one’s well-being. Reflexologists claim that there are various reflex points on people’s feet, ears, and hands, which correspond to different organs and body functions.
11 Tom Cruise: What Is Depression?
Tom Cruise is one of the most iconic actors across the globe. Nevertheless, his divisive beliefs triggered numerous debates. In fact, in 2005, Cruise criticized Brook Shields for seeking help for her postpartum depression, saying "There’s no such thing as a chemical imbalance" and questioning the nature of psychiatry.
Sadly, due to the social stigma that surrounds postpartum depression, many new moms are not willing to seek professional help for their emotional struggles. Note that depressive moods and negative thoughts affects more than 1 in 10 women, as well as men.
10 Richard Gere: Finding Peace
Richard Gere, one of the most handsome silver foxes of Hollywood, is also an advocate for healthy living and alternative practices. In fact, Richard Gere is one of the most active Buddhists in Hollywood. According to health.com, the talented actor started meditating when he was 24. Well, 45 years later, Gere is still practicing.
Note that Buddhism emphasized the importance of spiritual development and charitable work. According to data, Buddhism is the fourth most practiced religion across the globe - with more than 520 million believers.
9 Kate Moss: Acupuncture Can Clean Your Soul
Kate Moss is definitely one of the greatest supermodels of all time. Nevertheless, Moss has had a jagged life, in and out of therapy and treatment centers. According to health.com, the beautiful model turned to acupuncture to treat her struggles.
Note that acupuncture is an alternative method in which needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is one of the main components in Far East medicine, which now is covered by many insurance companies in the US. Interestingly enough, traditional Chinese medicine is based on the ancient belief that the human body is healthy only when yin and yang are in balance.
8 Olivia Newton-John: Homeopathic Treatments And Positive Thinking
Olivia Newton-John is another beautiful celeb who favors alternative medicine. In 1992, she became sick. Although the actress tried numerous alternative methods, such as vitamins and acupuncture, Olivia didn’t refuse chemotherapy. In fact, she told CNN that in the end, "common sense prevailed."
Nevertheless, Olivia believes that positive thinking helped her. And according to psychologytoday.com, "thinking is 'real' medicine, as proven by the placebo effect. What causes this response isn't a physical substance but the activity of the mind-body connection. Expectations are powerful."
7 Andrew Weil: Finding A Balance
Celebrity doctor Andrew Weil is also an advocate of alternative practices and herbal supplements. Nevertheless, he showed the world there must be a balance between alternative methods and conventional practices. In the end, some conditions can’t be cured with vitamins and herbal syrups.
As Weil said, "If I’m in a car accident, don’t take me to an herbalist. If I have bacterial pneumonia, give me antibiotics. But when it comes to maximizing the body’s natural healing potential, a mix of conventional and alternative procedures seems like the only answer."
6 Nick Nolte: Healing Oxygen
Talented actor Nick Nolte is also a supporter of alternative methods. He revealed he was undergoing procedures in hyperbaric oxygen chambers to promote a healthy lifestyle. Note that hyperbaric oxygen chambers are used to treat decompression sickness, mainly in divers and workers.
According to medicalnewstoday.com, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to treat infections and other rare conditions. Recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been promoted as an effective method to treat Alzheimer’s and the inability to get pregnant.
Although we all need oxygen to thrive, the FDA claimed that certain conditions should not be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
5 Suzanne Somers: Hormones And Creams
Beautiful actress Suzanne Somers is one of the most famous supporters of alternative remedies. When Somers became sick, she chose a natural remedy (from mistletoe extract) over chemotherapy.
This is not so surprising, though. Suzanne Somers has always been open about her alternative habits, including hormone creams and estrogen injections… applied down there. Interestingly, estrogen injections can be used to treat dryness, hot flashes (due to menopause), and irritation. Would you give it a go? According to health.com, the actress has published several books on alternative medicine.
4 James Hetfield: Clean & Healthy
Rock star James Hetfield is not the typical hippy who would choose herbal supplements over meds. Yet, James Hetfield admitted he was into reflexology, acupuncture, and coconut concoctions.
Interestingly enough, coconut oil is one of the main ingredients employed in Ayurveda practices. According to webmd.com, Ayurveda is an alternative practice with roots in India. It’s believed that Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic approaches in the world. Note that holistic medicine is based on the belief that health depends on a balance between body and mind.
3 Elle Macpherson: Far-Estearn Medicine
Supermodel Elle Macpherson is another beautiful celeb who believes in the healing powers of alternative medicine. She claims that Far East medicine, acupuncture, and herbal remedies can promote wellness and prevent illnesses.
Chinese medicine is an ancient style of medicine which involves natural remedies, massages, qigong (a holistic practice), and even martial arts like Tai Chi. In fact, Tai Chi has numerous health benefits. According to nccih.nih.gov, though, meds used in Far-Eastern medical practices are usually marketed as supplements; and as a result, they do not follow some FDA regulations.
2 Dr. Oz: Transcendental Meditation
Dr. Mehmet Oz is another advocate of alternative practices. The cardiologist - who is also a TV host - is known for integrating alternative methods into his standard practice. According to health.com, Dr. Oz recommends mud baths and aromatherapy.
Interestingly enough, he believes in the healing effects of transcendental meditation. This is a form of silent meditation, which involves yoga and meditation in order to help patients detach from anxiety and pain. Note that yogis have been practicing meditation for thousands of years. Well, baby yoga is a great way to bond with your newborn, mama!
1 Madonna: Yoga & Music
Madonna, our beloved Queen of Pop, is one of the most curious celebs on our list. She is one of the first celebs to embrace Kabbalah, the mystical Jewish method which promotes occult knowledge. Madonna also believes in the healing power of yoga and meditation.
In 1994, though, Madonna announced something more interesting. She revealed her interest in natural cures and said that the best way to treat athlete’s foot is by relieving yourself in the shower. In fact, many experts believe in the healing properties of human urine.
Sources: health.com, medicalnewstoday.commedschool.ucsd.edu, nccih.nih.gov, psychologytoday.com, bs.com.au, webmd.com, qz.com