Alternative Therapies

Introduction to Complementary and

Alternative Medicines

Mamoona Kokab
Lecturer (Pharmacy Practice), LPC
A Project of LMDC
 Learning Outcomes
• At the end of this lecture, Students will be able to
understand:
1. Complementary and alternative medicine History,
Background and Definition of Complementary and
alternative medicine.
2. Reason for use of complementary and alternative
therapies.
3. Perception, belief and attitude
4. Herbal medicine, homeopathy
5. Acupuncture, acupressure-Bach flower remedies,
Aromatherapy, Reflexology
Complementary and alternative medicines
(1) Background
• Complementary/ Alternative medicine (CAM)
originally referred to as fringe, holistic or
natural medicine, was known as alternative
medicine in 1970s and 1980s and today,
increasingly is called integrated or integrative
medicine. Generally It is referred to as
Complementary/alternative medicine,
although the term complementary medicine,
alternative medicine and complementary
therapies are used interchangeably.
• Complementary medicine is treatments that
are used along with standard medical
treatments but are not considered to be
standard treatments. One example is using
acupuncture to help lessen some side effects
of cancer treatment.
• Alternative medicine is treatments that are
used instead of standard medical treatments.
One example is using a special diet to treat
cancer instead of anticancer drugs that are
prescribed by an oncologist.
 (2) History
• Historically, CAM was the main form of medicine
available to the world’s population. In many parts of the
world it still is today.
• The term CAM originates from the fact that what we
now know as conventional or pharmaceutical medicine,
did not exist, hence the modern usage of the term.
• With the advent and expansion of discovery and
production of mainly synthetic medicines by
Pharmaceutical companies, usage of mainly plant based
traditional medicines declined. These medicines are
what we know refer to as CAM.
 (3) Definition of Complementary and
alternative medicine
• Complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM)
is a broad domain of healing resources that
encompasses all health systems, modalities and
practices and their accompanying theories and
beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the
politically dominant health system of a particular
society or culture in a given theoretical period.
• “CAM includes all such practices and ideas self
defined by their users as preventing or treating
illness or promoting health and well-being”
 (4) CAM is an umbrella term
• Collection of different approaches to prevention and treatment.
• Over 50 diverse complementary therapies have been listed,
some involving
• Use of medicinal substances.
• Use of range of therapeutic techniques.
• Examples:

 Homeopathy (Use of infinitely dilute preparations)

 Herbal medicines ( use of chemically rich plant material)
 Acupuncture ( insertion of needles into specific points on the
Body)
 Aromatherapy
• Available in recognizable Pharmaceutical
Formulation e.g Homeopathic, herbal
medicine, Essential oils.
• Prescribed by CAM Practitioners.
• Widely available for purchase for self
treatment as over the Counter.
 (5) Reason for use of complementary and
alternative therapies
• Use of Complementary and alternative medicine is increasing in
developed and underdeveloped countries.
• Used by Public and patients for general health maintenance and
for relief of minor, self limiting conditions.
• Herbal products to help relieve stress and sleep problems are
those most frequently requested by pharmacy customers.
• Use of CAM is not limited to OTC treatment.
• Use of CAM for serious chronic illnesses such as cancer, HIV,
AIDS, Rheumatoidal conditions, asthma, depression,
gastrointestinal disorders, skin conditions ansd so on.
• Use of CAM is usually to supplement conventional health care,
rather than to replace it.
(6) Perception, belief and attitude
• The perception, belief and attitude of people towards use
of CAM is:
• Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine in term of
effectiveness and safety.
• Satisfaction with CAM
• Perception that it is safe, have no side effects.
• Healthcare plurism, people use many treatment options,
such as taking advise from family and friends, consultation
with CAM Practitioners, consulting the pharmacist.
• Better compliance with CAM
 Traditional Medicines/Alternative
Threrapies
• Traditional medicine refers to health practices,
approaches, knowledge and beliefs
incorporating plant-, animal- and mineral-
based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual
techniques and exercises, applied singly or in
combination to treat, diagnose and prevent
illnesses or maintain well-being
 (1) Homeopathy
• The name homeopathy, coined by its originator, Samuel
Hahnemann, is derived from the Greek words for ‘similar
suffering’
• Hahnemann was born in Germany two hundred and fifty
years ago
• Homeopathic medicine is also known as homeopathy and
is often added to mainstream medicine, used as a
complementary/integrative approach.
• “Homeo” means “similar to” or “like.”
• Homeopathic medicine is considered to be the opposite of
allopathic medicine.
 Mechanism of Action
 According to the National Institute of Health,
homeopathic medicine is based on two
theories:
 Like cures like. This means that illness and
disease are treated with substances that cause
similar symptoms in healthy people.
 Law of minimum dose. A lower dose of
medication is thought to have a greater effect
than a higher dose.
 “Highly dilute substances to stimulate the body’s
own healing activity”
 Treatment is holistic-two patients with the same set
of symptoms may be given different remedies
depending on their personal characteristics, physical
appearance, mental and emotional state etc.
 Not yet a plausible explanation for the mechanism
of action of homeopathy.
 Rigorous clinical trials do not show an effect for
homeopathy over that placebo.
 Homeopathic Preparations
• Highly dilute preparations which may be of
plant animals, minerals, insect, biological,
chemical or other origin.
• Formulations include tablets, pilules, creams,
ointments, liquids and injections.
 Examples
• When a healthy person slices an onion, he or she typically
experiences clear burning tears and a clear runny nose that
stings the face; these symptoms improve with fresh air. A
person with mild hay fever symptoms experiences clear, but
irritating, runny eyes and nose that improve with fresh air.
Therefore, according to principles of homeopathic medicine, a
microdose of Allium cepa (onion) would help the body resolve
symptoms of hay fever. This is an example of how like cures
like.
• Nux Vomica
• Arnica
• Ginseng
 (2) Herbal medicine
• Herbal medicine is also called as botanical
medicine or phytomedicine.
• Herbalism is the traditional medicinal or folk
medicine practiced based on the use of a plant
seeds, berries, roots, bark, flowers or plant
extracts for medicinal purpose.
 History
• Plants had been used for medicinal purposed long
before recorded history.
• Ancient Chinese and Egyptians papyrus writings
describe uses for plants.
• In the early 19th century scientists began to extract
and modify the active ingredients from plants
• In the last 20th years in the united states there is
an increase in herbal medicine use.
• Recently who estimated 80% of the people
worldwide rely on herbal medicine for some part
of their primary health care.
 Philosophy of Herbalism
• The traditional herbalism had an historical basis,
partly based on the model of the four humors and
the belief that an excess of any of the humors lead
to disease.
• Today treatment is aimed at “restoring balance”
and strengthen bodily systems.
• Herbalist aim to treat patients in a holistic way by
selecting a herb or combination of herbs to treat a
particular person and his/her unique set of
symptoms
• One of the principal is that the whole plant
extract and not an isolated constituents is
responsible for the clinical effect.
• It is claimed that herbal constituents and even
combination of herbs work synergistically to
achieve benefits and reduce the possibility of
adverse effects
 Herbs

 Coriander
 Garlic
 Oats
 Fennel
 Green tea
 Drugs from plant sources
• Aspirin, codeine, cocaine, morphine,
quinidine, caffeine, Pilocarpine, Digoxin,
ergotamine,
• Different forms of herbal medicine in market:
tea, syrups, oils, liquid, pills, capsules
(3) Acupuncture
 Acupuncture
• This is the Therapy not using medicinal substance.
• It involves insertion of into a specific point or set of
points on the body for the treatment of specific
conditions.
• Some scientists believe that the needles cause the
body to release endorphins -- natural painkillers -
• Various forms exists, such as auriculoacupuncture
( Needling of specific points on the ear),
electroacupuncture (electrical stimulation of inserted
needles).
 Types
• Two main types:
(a) Western Medical acupuncture: Usually
practiced by doctors who have trained in a
acupuncture and who use the therapy alongside
conventional medicine. Insertion of needles is
given as far as possible according to the
principles of neurophysiology and anatomy ( i.e
directed as stimulating nerve endings)
(b) Traditional Chinese acupuncture:
• Part of the broader system of traditional
Chinese medicine (TCM).
• Traditional Chinese acupuncturists aim to
restore the balance of energy in the body by
‘Unblocking meridians’ (Pathways along which
life energy is believed to flow) by inserting
needles strategically in the specific points
along meridians.
 Uses of Acupuncture
• Low-Back Pain
• Headaches
• Arthritis Pain
• Dental Pain
• Other Pain
• Cancer Pain
(4) Batch Flower remedies
 Bach flower remedies
• Based on believe that Physical disease was the result
of being at odds with one’s spiritual purpose i.e
negative states of mind induce illness.
• Edward Bach in UK identified 38 negative
psychological states of mind (e.g jealousy, guilt,
hopelessness) and developed a remedy designated to
be used for each of these emotional states.

• His approach to health focused only on the mental

state of the patient.
• The batch Collection comprises 39 remedies of
which originate from flowers/trees and ‘Rescue
Remedy's combination of five of the other 38
remedies.
• Flower remedies are extreme dilute preparations
but are not homeopathic remedies.
• Many other countries have their own collection
of flower remedies/essences based on native
Plants/trees. e.g Australian bush essences.
(5) Acupressure
 Acupressure
Acupressure is based on the same principles as acupuncture to
promote relaxation and wellness and to treat disease.
Traditional Chinese medical theory describes meridians,
invisible channels in your body that carry energy called qi (ch'i).
They begin at your fingertips and connect to your brain and
then an organ or networks of organs to create a communication
system. When one of these meridians is blocked or out of
balance, you get sick.
Acupressure uses specific points along these meridians to help
restore balance.
Western practitioners may say results come from things like
reduced muscle tension, improved circulation, or the release of
endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
(6) Aromatherapy
 Aromatherapy
• The therapeutic use of Aromatic substances, largely
by essestial oils, which typically contain numerous
chemical constituents, are extracted from plants.
• Aromatherapist believe that essential oils can be used
not only for the prevention and treatment of disease,
but also for their effects on mood, emotions and well
being. Aromatherapy is claimed to be a holistic
therapy in that practitioners will select an essential oil
or combination of essential oils to suit each client’s
symptoms, personality and emotional state.
• The most common method used for
application of essential oils is massage using a
carrier oil ; other methods include the
addition of essential oils into baths and
footbaths, inhalations, compresses and use in
aromatherapy equipment e. g Burners and
vaporizers.
 How Aromatherapy works
• Experts think aromatherapy activates areas in your
nose called smell receptors, which send messages
through your nervous system to your brain.
• The oils may activate certain areas of your brain,
like your limbic system, which plays a role in your
emotions. They could also have an impact on your
hypothalamus, which may respond to the oil by
creating feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin.
 Uses of Aromatherapy
• Ease stress, anxiety, and depression
• Boost feelings of relaxation
• Improve sleep
• Help improve quality of life for people with long-term
health problems like dementia
• Ease certain types of pain, including pain from kidney
stones and osteoarthritis of the knee.
• Fight bacteria when you put them on your skin
• Ease some of the side effects of cancer treatment
like nausea and pain.
 (7) Reflexology (Reflex Therapy)
• A Form of treatment and diagnosis which
involves massage of specific points on the feet
(mainly on the soles but also on the tops and
sides-maps of the areas of the feet
corresponding to different areas/organs of the
body have been drawn up). It is based on the
belief that there are reflexes in the feet for all
parts of the body.
• Reflexologist claim to be able to identify sites
of tenderness and lumps or granules of
crystalline material, which, in refexology, are
taken to represent remote organ disease.
• Manual stimulation of the reflex point's is
believed to break down deposits so that they
can be eliminated, and to increase the flow of
‘healing energy’ through channels.
• At present these theories are unsubstantiated.
 References
• Pharmaceutical Practice by A J Winfield
• https://www.webmd.com/search/search_resu
lts/default.aspx?query=acupressure