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is simplistic and erroneous. The chemical properties of herbal medicines are equivalent to those of pharmaceutical drugs. The fact that they are not synthetically manufactured does not guarantee their safety. Pharmaceutical medicines are synthetically manufactured, but the chemical formulas they use are based on the natural properties of plants and herbs.

It is important not to confuse Homeopathy with Herbal Medicine. Homeopathic remedy ingredients are mostly herbal in origin, but they may also include mineral (calcium, phosphorous, arsenic) and animal substances. Homeopathy prescribes remedies based on the 'Law of Similars', while herbal remedies are prescribed according to the predictable effects of an herb's chemical constituents on a specific condition. In this respect, Herbal Medicine is much more like conventional, allopathic medicine. Homeopathy prescribes remedies to treat individual cases - not specific conditions. (Homeopaths believe that two individuals with the same condition may very well need different treatment). The manufacturing processes for homeopathic and herbal medicines are also completely different, even when the exact same herbs are used. Homeopathic preparations are diluted according to a very specific and complex process, while herbal preparations are usually concentrated into powders, pills or tinctures.

The FDA classifies herbal remedies as dietary supplements, and they are marketed in the U.S. without first being proven effective or safe. The same herbal remedy sold by two different companies may not be identical, and what is printed on the label may not reflect what is in the bottle. Depending on the manufacturing process used, various chemicals and/or preservatives may be present too.

Acupuncture is another popular holistic system of medicine. It is a branch of Chinese medicine, which views mind and body as one entity. Over 4000 years ago, Chinese medicine identified an intricate network of 12 major 'channels', or Meridians, that are believed to explain how organs are related to both physical and mental symptoms. Specific pressure points (over 2000) were identified along these Meridians (acupoints), which when stimulated unblock the circulation of energy (qi) and restore the body's natural balance thus curing the disease. In acupuncture, these points are stimulated by inserting hair-thin needles into designated locations according to the condition being treated. Acupuncture aims at restoring the body's energy balance, thereby treating

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