Alternative medicine refers to treatments that are promoted as actual cures e.g. cancer cures. They are unproven because they have not been scientifically tested and some may actually not be effective or even harmful.

Complimentary medicine is more useful at this time. Examples  include meditation to reduce stress, peppermint tea for nausea, and acupuncture for chronic back pain. Complementary methods are not given to cure disease, rather they may prevent or help control symptoms. Some of the methods, such as massage therapy, yoga, and meditation, that are categorized as complementary medicine. 

• aromatherapy

• art therapy

• biofeedback

• massage therapy

• meditation

•  music therapy

• prayer, spiritual practices

• t’ai chi

•  yoga

• Acupunture

other links

Acupunture and efficacy by BMA http://web.bma.org.uk/public/science.nsf/sciencedocsvw/ReportAcupuncture

Spiritual health - Faith and Healing

Spirituality and Cancer

 

Other Links

Herb and Other Food Supplement Sites

American Botanical Council: www.herbalgram.org

Medical Herbalism: A Journal for the Clinical Practitioner: www.medherb.com

US Pharmacopoeia Consumer Information (Botanicals): www.usp.org/infofor/patient1.htm

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): altmed.od.nih.gov

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/health/2000/cancer/default.stm  Cancer the facts – BBC site

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/medical_notes/newsid_101000/101526.stm  Complementary medicine – Acupunture, Herbal, Homeopathy, Shiatsu, Reflexology etc

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