KARACHI, Dec 21: Speakers at a seminar organised by Pulse, the health society of DA Degree College for Women on Thursday discussed alternative medicines and contemporary medical therapies in the light of biology, chemistry, computer studies, physic, maths and psychology.

Dr Tahira Arshad and Professor Mrs Aziz Fatima Hasnain highlighted the significance of aroma therapy and said the pure essence distilled from aromatic plants had been prized for their health giving qualities for thousands of years. By utilising the beneficial properties of oils, one can treat common ailments, promote good health and emotional well being in life.

Aisha Arfeen and Erum Akram enlightened the audience on hydrotherapy and said hydro or water therapy was probably the oldest form of medical treatment, which involved the use of water for soothing pain and treating diseases since ancient times.

Anushe Khan and Subia Shamim Skeikh said acupuncture was a 3000-year-old technique of traditional Chinese medicine where a number of needles are inserted along different points of the body to relieve pain. Mehrunnisa Wassam and Rubab Fatima reflected upon numerology and homeopathy.

Shumaila Ali said the public had increasingly turned toward “holistic” medicine for treatment of chronic medical conditions and as such there had been a sharp increase in the use of alternative medicines like acupuncture, herbal therapy, massage therapy.

The college principal Dr Tayyaba Mamoon distributed certificates and mementos.