18 of 19

Write now Article Tools

I have a problem with the term "alternative therapies" primarily because they ARE a return to medicine's historical roots. Massage therapy has been around a lot longer than modern painkillers and muscle relaxants, so why is it considered to be "alternative?" The same goes for herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and other therapies that are often disregarded or even slandered by the medical profession.

The truth of the matter is that long before we had MDs and DOs, we had a whole range of therapies that worked. For some people, these remedies were the only alternative because there were no doctors available. Even in medieval times, most people relied on the local herb woman or midwife for remedies for colds, flu, infected wounds, headaches, childbirth, and many other "ailments." A doctor was considered to be a last resort.

Many of the traditional remedies have been capitalized upon by pharmaceutical companies, as well. They take an herbal remedy such as Willow Bark, which was often used for pain and fever, and they determine which ingredient seems to be the most effective. Then they distill that ingredient, or create it artificially in the laboratory, put a label on it, and sell it for far more than the original herb. In the case of willow bark, we now have aspirin in convenient pill form. It does go down easier than willow bark tea, which is extremely bitter, and it does take away pain and fever. But it also lacks many of the other substances that make willow bark a safe and effective remedy for thousands of years.

Learn more about this author, Roxianne Moore.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Today's alternative therapies: Returning to medicine's historical roots?
We want to hear your view. Write now!