Practice of alternative medicine in Saudi Arabia got a boost on Monday with the Council of Ministers approving the setting up of a National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The Center will serve as a national referral authority on alternative and complementary medicine (ACM). It will be directly linked to the Minister of Health and it can seek the help of foreign ACM specialists, a Council statement said. The cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Sultan, also approved creation of a consultative committee of ACM specialists and representatives of ministries, public institutions and government organizations involved in health affairs, as well as the private sector. The center will lay down the principles, rules, criteria and conditions for practicing ACM and issue licenses. It will also draw up guidelines for documentation of ACM, especially regarding traditional Islamic and Arab medicine. Alternative medicine commonly includes naturopathy, chiropractic, herbalism, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, bodywork, homeopathy and diet
