Traditional medicine covers medical aspects of traditional knowledge that developed over generations within the traditional beliefs of various societies in the past era before emergence of modern medicine. Traditional medicine is differentiated from scientific medicine. It is also known as indigenous medicine or folk medicine.
Traditional medicine indicates medical practices, approaches, knowledge and believes involving plant, animal and mineral based medicines, mind-body therapies, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent diseases and illnesses or maintain health and well-being.
Ethnomedicine is a practice of traditional medicine based on bioactive compounds obtained from plants and animals and is practiced by various cultural groups especially those with little access to modern medicines. The word ethno medicine is sometimes used interchangeably with traditional medicine.
Ethnomedical research applies the methods of ethnobotany and medical anthropology. The medicine traditions in ethnomedicine are often preserved merely by oral tradition.
The term Naturopathy covers most of the natural therapies. Naturopathy is concerned with treating the whole body, and seeking the underlying cause of any problems and symptoms, taking into consideration mental and social factors, rather than focusing on treating a patient’s particular illness. This complete focus is progressively finding more acceptances in conventional medicine.
Yoga is a set of physical exercises and mental and spiritual practices which initiated in ancient India likely in the Indus valley civilization around 3000 BCE. Yoga therapies date back to pre-vedic Indian traditions.
Yoga therapy consist mainly of postures called ‘asanas’, as a gentle form of exercise and relaxation applied particularly with the intention of improving health.
Yoga therapy is the applied to ease and cure physical and mental health conditions with the view of encouraging self-care and enhancing overall health and well-being. The practice of yoga in broad terms aims to cultivate the body and mind and has the potential for therapeutic effects, in yoga therapy specific yoga practices are used and their known benefits to help alleviate or improve mental and physical ailments.
The term Alternative medicine is used for medical products and practices that are not a part of standard care. Alternative medicine is used instead of conventional treatments or standard medical care.
Complementary medicine differs from alternative medicine. Complementary medical practices are used along with standard medical treatments whereas Alternative medicine is used in place of standard medical practices. Generally, Alternative medical practices are not recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches. Few examples of Alternative medical practices include massage therapy, special teas, mind therapies, dietary supplements, mega dose vitamins, herbal preparations, magnet therapy, and spiritual healing.
Herbal medicine plays a key role in complementary and alternative medicine. It is progressively gaining huge popularity across the world and is increasingly moving towards integration into the mainstream healthcare systems.
Herbal medicine refers to the study of source and the use of medicinal plants. Plants have been the foundation for medical treatments through most of human history. Herbal medicine is still widely practiced even in the modern era. Standard modern medicine uses many plants as the source for active ingredients for evidence-based modern medicine. The scope of herbalism is sometimes extended to include fungal and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.
Traditional medicines largely comprise of Biomolecules obtained from cells and living organisms. Biomolecular and clinical aspects of traditional medicine define their authenticity for their better acceptance. This involves in the composition, Biomolecular aspects and clinical aspects of Traditional medicine, Integrative medicine, complementary medicine and herbal medicines.
Holistic medicine is a complete healing that considers the body, mind, spirit, and emotions to promote health and wellness. It aims to improve health and wellness through the body, mind, and soul. Holistic medicine combines traditional medicine, complementary medicine and alternative medicine (CAM). Holistic medicine is based on the belief that the whole person is made up of mutually dependent parts and if one part is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected. Hence, if a person has physical, emotional, or spiritual imbalances in their lives, it can adversely affect his overall health.
Holistic medicine is also based on the belief that unconditional love and support is the most powerful healer and a person is eventually responsible for their own health and well-being.
Aromatic medicine is a therapy in which essential oils are used confidently and efficaciously in the most appropriate way for any illness. It uses the aromatic, volatile essential oils. It involves balancing the health condition with a detailed knowledge of essential oils. These essential oils work by either stimulating or depressing biochemical/physiological functions, as well as suppressing or destroying pathogens.
Diet refers to the food and drink a person consumes daily and the mental and physical situations connected to eating. Nutrition is about nourishment on every level. A healthy diet can improve or maintain ideal health. It is recommend maintaining a normal weight by limiting intake of sugar and energy-dense foods, consuming plant-based food, limiting ingestion of red and processed meat, and reducing alcohol intake.
In nutrition, diet refers to the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. The word diet often implies the use of precise intake of nutrition for health or weight-management reason. Complete nutrition requires ingestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids from protein and essential fatty acids from fat-containing food, also food energy in the form of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Food choices and habits play a key role in the quality of life, health and longevity.
Medicinal Plants
The plants that possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological effect on the human or animal body are called medicinal plants. Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesise hundreds of chemical compounds that can be used as fungicides, antibiotics, bactericides, insecticides etc. Numerous plant chemicals with potential therapeutic activity have been identified. Medicinal plants are extensively used in non-industrialized societies as they are readily available and are cheaper than modern medicines.
Translational research is the process of application of knowledge from basic biology and clinical trials to techniques and tools that present critical medical needs. It is specially designed to improve health outcomes. Translational research implements a scientific enquiry into a certain problem facing medical practices to overcome the problem which helps to raise aggregate health performance.
Inspite of receiving public acceptance and preference over modern medicine, traditional medicines are often not approved by standard medical associations and authorities as they lack clinical evaluation studies. However, contrary to this, traditional medicines have proven to be very effective in treatment of chronic illnesses and psychological problems especially in relieving stress and anxiety which are the root causes of various physiological and psychological health conditions.
Alternative medicines and traditional medicines have accomplished increased acceptance over the past few decades. Traditional medicines are available in various dosage forms which are gaining increased popularity across the global population for their health benefits with natural composition and lesser adverse effects. Traditional medicines have evolved with time with several advances and are capable of treating certain health conditions with cannot be cured using conventional medicines.
Ethnomedicine has seen rapid growth and development and innovative research findings in the past few decades and is gaining better acceptance across the world due to its cost effectiveness, better healing abilities, natural chemical free composition and reduced side effects.
Unani Medicine
Unani medicine is an alternative system of medicine also called as Unani tibb, Arabian medicine, or Islamic medicine that originated in ancient Greece but is now practiced primarily in Middle East and South Asia. It deals with the various states of health and disease. Unani medicine describes disease as a natural process and symptoms as the reactions of the body to ailment. Unani medicine involves the prevention and treatment of disease using herbal remedies, dietary practices, and alternative therapies. It utilizes herbs, minerals and animal extracts in treating diseases.
Siddha Medicine
Siddha medicine is believed to be one of the most ancient medical systems of India and the mother medicine of ancient Tamils of peninsular South India. The word Siddha is a Tamil word which means perfection. The Siddha Medicine is an alternative system of medicine that is based on a combination of ancient medicinal practices and spiritual disciplines besides alchemy and mysticism. It is believed to have emerged during the Indus civilization. Siddha medicine claims to revive and rejuvenate dysfunctional body organs that cause the disease.
Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is the traditional Hindu system of medicine which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yoga. It is an alternative system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent and is considered to be the oldest healing science. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which means “The Science of Life.” It stems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples.
Complementary Medicine
Complementary Medicine refers to a set of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that are used along with conventional medicine and does not replace standard medical practices. For example, acupuncture is used to help lessen some side effects of modern cancer treatment. Complementary medicine differs from Alternative medicine. Complementary medicine is when these therapies are used along with traditional Western medicine. Alternative medicine is when these methods are used instead of conventional medicine.
Allied Sciences
Allied health Science is a type of medical discipline that deals with all kind of diagnostic techniques which are being used in medical sector. For example: blood analysis, histopathology, pathological analysis, radiography. Allied health sciences are very vital for the treatment of the patients. With diagnosis depending on technology, the role of allied health staff has become crucial for delivering successful treatment.
Integrative Medicine is a healthcare approach that takes into consideration the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It highlights the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient and makes use of all suitable therapies. It is the practise of partially incorporating components of complementary and alternative medicine into comprehensive treatment plans alongside solidly conventional methods of diagnosis and treatment.
Compared to complementary medicine, Integrative medicine has a larger meaning and mission. It is focused mainly on health and healing rather than disease and treatment. It considers whole patients body including mind and spirit for diagnosis and treatment. It also considers patients and doctors working to maintain health by paying attention to factors related to lifestyle such as diet, exercise, quality of rest and sleep, and the nature of relationships.
Biofeedback is a technique that is used to control some of your body's involuntary functions, such as your heart rate, blood pressure etc. It is used to help relieve symptoms of conditions like high blood pressure, chronic stress, headaches, pain, and anxiety. During biofeedback, the patient is connected to electrical sensors to receive information about the body. The objective of this technique is to make subtle changes to the body that result in a desired effect. This might include relaxing certain muscles to slow the heart rate or reducing feelings of pain. According to Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, it can be defined as a process that allows people to alter their physiological activity in order to improve health or performance.