What is CAM?

While we look at the controversies surrounding the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), it may be worthwhile looking at what a well respected non-partisan organization like the World Health Organisation has to say about it. CAM is very much a relative term and WHO recognizes that the term CAM in a particular country is in relation to the dominant health care system of that country; health care practices which are not integrated into it and not in the tradition of that country are termed as CAM - complementary and alternative medicine.

There are varied health practices indigenous to different cultures, based on their own theories and experiences and traditionally they have been in use in maintenance of physical and mental health in that culture. These can be termed as Traditional Medicine. Such traditional medicine may get referred to as CAM in countries with a different cultural backdrop.

Traditional medicine

Traditional medicine systems have evolved long before the system of modern medicine and diagnostic practice came into being. Traditional medicine refers to health care practices utilizing medications based on plants, animals and minerals naturally occurring in that area or region and involving spiritual therapies, manipulative therapies, etc.; these therapies may be used separately or jointly for prevention, diagnosis or treatment of an illness.

These traditional medicine systems go under various names such as Ayurveda, Unani mediucine, Chinese/Tibetan medicine, etc. and have been widely prevalent in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America, etc. Traditional medicine has been popular in the developing countries and its use is spreading quite rapidly in industrialized countries where it is considered as CAM.
Safety and efficacy issues
World Health Organisation (WHO) finds that traditional medicine is used quite widely in many parts of the world.

Preliminary treatment for majority of children in large parts of Africa suffering from high malarial fever is herbal medicine; 75% of people living with HIV/AIDS in many parts of the industrialized world use traditional medicine (CAM, for them);

Over 50% of people in North America, Europe, Canada, Germany and other industrially advanced countries have used traditional medicine (CAM, for them) at least once;

In USA, over 150 million of adults use complementary medicine. In 2000, $17 million were spent on CAM in US; in UK, annually $230 million is spent on CAM ;

Globally the current market for herbal medicines is over $60 billion and it is still growing.

Is traditional medicine effective?

It is relevant to note that:

Acupuncture is found to be effective in many instances such as treating postoperative pain, dental pain, nausea caused by chemotherapy and during pregnancy with very less side effects. It also lessens panic disorders, anxiety and insomnia;

Asthma attacks are reduced by Yoga;

Artemisia annua which has been in use in China for over 2000 years is found to effectively treat resistant malaria; it could help prevent thousands of deaths annually from severe malaria;

25% of modern medicines are made from plants first used in traditional medicine system.

Traditionally the plant Sutherlandia Microphylla is used as tonic. In South Africa, studies are being conducted on its effectiveness in treating AIDS patients. This plant may help HIV patients by increasing their appetite, energy and body mass.

It is recognized that popularity of the traditional medicine systems in industrialized world is increasing. But inappropriate or unregulated use of the traditional medical practices or products could pose serious danger, or may produce negative effects. Many cases of such occurrences caused by over dosage or wrong species of plant being used have been known.

It is recognized, therefore, randomized clinical trials of the various traditional medical products and practices are necessary for proving their efficacy and safety. Some herbal medicines, some manual therapies and uses of acupuncture have been proven in this manner, but further research is necessary for many other traditional practices and plants.

Apart from the need of establishing efficacy and safety in the use of these traditional practices and products, it is also necessary to consider two other important issues:

1. Growing market for herbal products and their commercial benefits might endanger biodiversity and extinction of certain species;

2. Present patent laws may not be able to protect traditional knowledge and biodiversity.
In 2002 the World Health Organisation launched a comprehensive strategy in regard to traditional medicine and has been assisting many countries to evolve national policies for evaluation and regulation of traditional medicine, ensuring availability and affordability and sound use of traditional medicine.

S. Phadke is a retired professional.

He enjoys writing and has been writing articles on a variety of subjects such as Energy Conservation, Home Based Industries , Online Data Storage, Internet marketing, etc.

Presently he is preparing to write a series of articles on Health related issues and on CAM (Complimentary and Alternative Madicine)

He can be contacted at snphadke@gmail.com.