Alternative medicines

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Alternative Medicines

Alternative medicines (pronunciation: /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv ˈmɛdɪsɪnz/) are a range of medical therapies that are not regarded as orthodox by the medical profession, such as herbalism, homeopathy, and acupuncture.

Etymology

The term "alternative medicine" is derived from the Latin word "alternativus", meaning "one after the other", and the Greek word "medicus", meaning "pertaining to healing". It was first used in the late 20th century to describe medical practices that were not part of mainstream medicine.

Types of Alternative Medicines

  • Herbalism - The study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants, now especially as a form of alternative medicine.
  • Homeopathy - A system of alternative medicine created in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann, based on his doctrine of like cures like.
  • Acupuncture - A form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body.

Related Terms

  • Complementary medicine - A group of diagnostic and therapeutic disciplines that are used together with conventional medicine.
  • Integrative medicine - Healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle.
  • Traditional medicine - The sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures.

See Also

External links

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