JEDDAH – Alternative medicine has a longstanding tradition that dates back thousands of years. Its popularity is growing even in this age of modern medicine and scientific advancement. Many people prefer alternative medicine especially in the wake of recurring medical errors involving modern medicine. They are attracted to this type of treatment because of the common perception that it results neither in any health complications nor side effects. Even patients in Western countries who have long been averse to this form of medicine are now becoming more receptive to trying alternative practices for treatment. Even though the term “alternative medicine” may raise exotic perceptions in the minds of people, most of these therapies are in fact more harmonious with everyday lifestyles. Just like listening to music after a long day can help one unwind, practicing certain simple methods of natural treatment gives the body and mind a reason to loosen up and relax. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, a number of Saudis said that they prefer alternative or complementary medicine to modern or conventional medicine. Muna Jaber, who is in her 50s, said that this type of treatment is not simply an alternative one but a basic one. “I came to know about modern medicine only in the recent past. Earlier, we used to take herbal cures and other alternative medicines,” she said while attributing this mainly to the influence of her grandfather who was a specialist in herbal medicine. “I gained from my grandfather a lot of information about this type of treatment, which was very popular during his time. We cannot belittle the importance of this treatment, as it is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an,” she said, while drawing attention to the fact that this type of treatment was very popular in many Asian and Arab countries since ancient times. “I see that side effects from this medicine are very low compared to modern medicine, which relies mainly on chemical compounds. I prescribe it to my children and grandson when they get sick. Whenever my grandson gets a sore throat, he prefers taking herbal medicine mixed with honey and lemon to over the counter medicine.” Echoing the same view, 30-year-old Ghazal Al-Zahrain said that there are several advantages of alternative medicine. “One day I had a sudden pain in my stomach. I moved from hospital to hospital consulting various specialists and internists but there was no relief from that pain, which persisted for more than one year. When I tried out herbal medicine, my stomach pain finally went away,” she said. “It was a nightmarish experience for me when I took modern medicine that most often caused me to either stay up all night or oversleep. On the other hand, alternative medicine gave me much relief from pain sans any side effects,” she said, while recommending herbal mixtures for the beauty of skin and body. “Doctors and cosmetic specialists recommend this as they are both natural and economical,” she said. Women were not alone in praising the benefits of alternative medicine. Fahd Al-Johani is a 27-year-old who has been relying on complementary medicine since his childhood. “My love of herbal medicine is mainly attributed to my fear of needles. So, I take herbal medicine and I only go to the hospital as a last resort,” he said, adding that he was scared of going to the hospital after reading numerous reports of medical errors. Dr. Andrew Weil, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the College of Medicine at University of Arizona in Tucson, underscored the significance of preventive natural medicine. “There has been a real transition in the mindset of people about their health habits at present. At the same time, they know that modern medicine is overpriced, disastrous on certain occasions and is not always effective.” Dr. Weil, an internationally recognized expert on alternative medicine, promotes integrative medicine, which is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative. In the case of Ayurveda medicine, a form of traditional medicine common in India, practitioners treat patients after taking into account their physical and mental features. They believe that real treatment depends on achieving a balance between physical, mental and emotional effects. The treatment relies on flower extracts, herbs, grass and other natural remedies as they help get rid of the emotional imbalances that therapists believe is the basis for most physical problems. Depending on the growing research about the link between food and health, naturopathy doctors recommend eating whole grains, fruit and vegetables as a way to prevent disease. These doctors also use foods such as yoghurt that contain useful bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus, which lives naturally in the intestines to help regulate digestion and maintain a healthy intestinal tract. Herbal medicine also helps compensate for these bacteria to maintain overall health, something that can be used as preventive and curative medicine for many diseases.
