ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

In 1996, The National Library of Medicine and the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) Term Working Group, Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health classifies alternative medicine as an unrelated group of non-orthodox therapeutic practices, often with explanatory systems that do not follow conventional biomedical explanations.

The National Library of Medicine's previous classification was non-orthodox therapeutic systems which have no satisfactory scientific explanation for their effectiveness.    Others define it as medical interventions not taught at United States medical schools or not available at United States hospitals.

Alternative therapies include, but are not limited to the following disciplines: folk medicine, herbal medicine, diet fads, homeopathy, faith healing, new age healing, chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy, massage, and music therapy.

The following articles deal with alternative medicine:

American Use of Alternative Medicine
Gives demographics of the use of alternative medicine - from The Landmark Report on Public Perceptions of Alternative Care.

When Plants Upstage Pharmaceuticals
From an article by Mary Granfield , American Health March 1998

Fighting Colds Naturally
Drug Companies, Retailers Respond to Demand for Natural Remedies - from ABCNEWS.com.

A Buyers Guide to the Best Herb Choice
Say goodbye to the guesswork when you buy herbal supplements.

Herbal Remedies: Adverse Effects and Drug Interactions
Article about adverse effects of herbal remedies, written for American Family Physician

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