Alternative medicine may not always works as effectively as traditional western medicine, but they can't harm you, right? Not true. Recent studies recently found that one in five Ayruvedic medicines contains poisonous metallics like lead, arsenic and mercury.

Of hundreds of Ayurvedic remedies purchased from 25 different websites in the USA and India, 21% contained detectable levels of at least one of these metals, and of that 21%, half had higher levels than would be considered healthy.

Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient practice that promotes overall health using a balance of medicine, meditation, exercise and diet, and while it can be part of a healthy lifestyle, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor first before taking any kind of remedy, natural or not.

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Alex Lenkei, a 61-year-old hypnotist, opted against using any traditional anesthetic for his recent surgery, choosing instead to send himself into a hypnotic trance for the duration of the surgery.

He was able to hear the cracking of his bones and the surgeon asking for a saw -- he could even hear the surgeon "hammering away at the bone" with a hammer and chisel. He could feel the doctor "pulling and manipulating" him, but felt no pain.

Much of the medical community is quite interested in this, as studies have shown that using less anesthetic can reduce the time patients spend in the hospital and speed healing. Additionally, many patients are nervous about using an anesthetic, and while they might not opt for using hypnosis only, it might help to calm them and allow a lower dose of anesthetic to be used.

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I'm a big believer in home remedies and natural approaches to various health issues, but I also believe that in some cases "natural" just won't cut it and technology may have the answer instead. But when dealing with alternative health approaches understanding the pros, cons, limits, and risks is imperative. Do you think you have a solid understanding of the basics? Here are a few of the biggest misconceptions people have about alternative medicine:

• "All natural" automatically translates to "all safe." Not true. Natural and herbal compounds often vary in strength, and they can interact and have serious side effects just like many prescription medications.
• "Alternative therapies are cheaper than conventional ones." Not true in many cases. Although they may have a cheaper price tag they often aren't covered by insurance.
• "There's little to no solid research to support the effects of alternative medicine." Not true, although many times research on alternative medicine is not documented and written about in scientific language, which can have a negative influence with doctors.

There's more on this list from Forbes so pop over there and take a look, and then share your thoughts on alternative medicine in our comments section!

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When I went to a trainer this summer to learn about a holistic breathing method thought to improve asthma symptoms, I didn't tell my allergist. I was worried he'd dismiss it with a wave of his hand, and I wanted to learn the method with an open mind. More importantly, I was worried I'd lose him as a physician. I rationalized that because I wasn't changing my medications or treatment plan, it wasn't important. But looking back, I think the honest thing to do would have been to tell him. After all, I expect him to be honest and up front with me.

It turns out, I'm not alone. Over one third of Americans are turning to natural and holistic medicine to cure what ails them, but many of those patients are keeping mum when it comes to telling their Western doctors. Fearing that their physicians will be angry with them or will drop them as patients, they carry on a relationship with both practitioners. You don't have to have a medical degree to realize this could be dangerous.

I can understand why people do it. I did it, after all. If you have an old-fashioned doctor or one who doesn't believe in alternative medicine, you're likely not to get much support. Try to remember, however, that in the doctor-patient relationship, you're the customer. Honesty is the best and safest policy for getting the combination of treatments -- be they alternative or Western -- that you need.

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I have respect for alternative medicine, but many people close to me have dismissed it as 'hogwash' and 'snake oil'. But a faith in alternative medicine has been known to save lives, at least according to the survivors who believe in it. Take this article, for example. It documents the lives of four women who credit alternative medicine with saving their lives. One had ovarian cancer, one needed metal rod to support her spine, one suffered from chronic pain and one kept her cystic fibrosis at bay.

What do you think about alternative medicine? Can it save your life? I think the key here is your attitude -- if you're convinced alternative medicine won't do anything for you, it won't. But faith is a powerful thing and if you believe in the path you've chosen, I think the body is capable of so-called miracles.

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Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

Did you know ... Aromatherapy is a very complex and integral part of holistic medicine in which essential oils derived from healing plants are used to create healing and wellness in the body. Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine.

Aromacology should not be confuse with aromatherapy. Aromacology is the study of scents and their effect on one's mind, mood and health.

Try it out ... Use one to two drops of therapeutic grade lavender oil for healing cuts, scrapes, burns and insect bites or place six drops in a warm bath to aid in sleep. Apply Rosewood topically for eliminating fungus. Rosewood will also enhance memories of childhood joy. Tea Tree oil is great for the skin and can be used with a carrier oil for massage purposes. For the purest, pharmaceutical grade essential oils, I recommend the Everyday Kit from Flower Road Natural Therapies.

Action Tips ...

• Be sure to always use high quality, therapeutic grade essential oils.
• Use essential oils mixed with almond or other vegetable oil base if you are going to apply it directly to the skin.
• Enhance the atmosphere by putting a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a bowl of water and let it evaporate slowly.
  
• For jet lag, rub a few drops of lavender, basil and tangerine on your temples.
  
• Place a few drops of eucalyptus or rosemary in your bath water to clear your sinuses.
  
• Do your research. Using too much of an essential oil can sometimes have the reverse effect you desire.

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A Chinese man claims that he's been free of intestinal complaints for 40 years -- thanks to a diet of rats and live tree frogs. Apparently he started the regime in his mid-20s, when he was having frequent abdominal pains and coughing, and hasn't had any trouble ever since.

According to Beijing News, the man originally had trouble eating a "live, wriggling frog," but he not only got over his inhibition, he has since supplemented his regime with baby mice -- once eating as many as 20 in a single day.

I consider myself fairly open-minded when it comes to alternative medicine, but I'm afraid this story is a little tough to swallow.

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