The Popularity of Natural Medicine

Two new studies have documented the opinions of doctors and patients on the popularity and future of natural medicine.

Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center suggested that natural products may provide a basis for new therapeutics.

The researchers explained that phytochemicals have potent antitumor properties and have provided multiple active compounds in the past. Although there is an increasing focus on 'designer' targeted anticancer agents, more research is needed.

The report stressed that the chemical diversity, structural complexity, affordability, lack of toxic effects and biologic activity of natural products makes them ideal candidates for new therapies. Some natural products may disrupt pathways leading to cancer, and may have additive effects with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The review authors focused on the mechanism of action of key natural products and promising preclinical data on their efficacy as anticancer agents, as single agents and in combination with standard therapies.

A related study examined patient preferences for natural medicine.

Researchers from the Marino Center for Progressive Health in Cambridge, MA explained that integrative medicine, a combination of conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), has become a popular source of medical care, yet little is known about its use.

The study investigated the motivations of people who choose integrative medicine for their primary care needs.

The study included six focus groups with a total of 37 regular users of integrative medicine. Focus group meetings were audiotaped and transcribed. They analyzed the information to determine the motivations for the use of integrative medicine.

The study found that participants' beliefs include the following: the combination of CAM and conventional medicine is better than either alone; health is a combination of physical, emotional and spiritual well being; nutrition and lifestyle play a role in wellness; and drugs should be avoided except as a last resort.

The study also found that participants suffer from health problems that are not well treated by conventional medicine; participants want to discuss CAM with physicians and obtain guidance on its use and participants want time with their providers, to feel listened to and to have the opportunity for shared decision-making.

The study concluded that much of what patients are seeking in integrative medical care is likely universally shared: a strong therapeutic relationship with providers who listen and provide time and knowledgeable advice. Users believe a combined approach of CAM and conventional medicine is better than either alone and want to be able to discuss CAM use with their providers.

For more information about integrative medicine, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements and Health & Wellness databases.

Comments

[Blair]

I am a supporter of CAM and holistic healing. I think it's important to focus on healing the mind and spirit, as well as the body.

It really surprises me that so little is known about CAM, even though it's been gaining so much popularity over the years. It's actually pretty scary, especially in terms of herbal therapy. I've found that many people think herbs can't cause serious side effects because they're natural. But in reality, many herbs can have serious drug-like effects.

[Missy]

It makes sense that more and more people with difficult-to-treat illnesses, such as cancer, are turning to CAM.

[Mike]

Do you think that more people are turning to CAM or that there are more reports about people turning to CAM? Is there REALLY an increase in users or are more people speaking up. It could be either one. It's really hard to tell from study reports because people may not always understand that a therapy they use is "alternative."

For instance, I have been gargling with salt water for many years at the onset of a sore throat. I wouldn't consider this CAM at all, but nasal irrigation and hydrotherapy are. I think something to note when discussing CAM is how people discuss these therapies and categorize them as CAM, integrative, folk remedies, Western medicine, conventional medicine, etc. No doubt, as we discuss these terms more and more, people will identify with them and the use will grow.

[Jesibel]

I appreciate the intensive and rigorous schooling that doctor's go through. However, I do think it's important that some knowledge of CAM is required to practice medicine because so many people, from all different backgrounds, are turning to CAM - whether it just be some vitamins or supplements they are taking for general health/increased immunity or more serious alternatives they are considering for life-threatening conditions. I think it's important that doctors take this feedback from patients seriously and that hospitals and health institutions start requiring that their doctors have some sort of training and practice in integrative medicine.

[Marin]

I am also in agreement that a combination of natural and conventional therapies are the best option for optimum health. However, I think that Blair has a good point; there is still a misconception that natural medicines are safer or less potent than conventional therapies. I feel as though a proper medicinal regimen should include a combination of both, but people need a better understanding of the safety and efficacy of CAM therapies.

[Joshua]

I agree with Jesibel. I think doctors should know more about CAM or maybe bring it up with their patients. Since doctors may not talk about CAM with patients, patients may leave out important information about supplements or therapies they are using. I think bringing together traditional medicine and CAM is the best way to go! It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

[Lara]

What's interesting to me is that a lot of very basic versions of CAM therapies and herbs were used effectively long before modern medicine practices came about, and it's taken so long for us to come full circle and accept and build on these ideas.

[Karen]

I agree with Lara. I think that modern medicine became a quick fix for health problems. Conventional medications and therapies are available to provide immediate relief from symptoms most of the time, while natural medicines do not necessarily work that way. I think people, including me, are just looking for a way to get over whatever is keeping them down and move on. Unfortunately, sometimes that prevents us from choosing the best healthcare options for ourselves in the long run.

[Passion fruit]

I wonder what the most popular therapies were. I bet acupuncture and chiropractic therapy were up there. When I was little, I used to go to a chiropractor, and I remember people thinking I was crazy. But today, it's so much more common. My health insurance even covers both of these therapies.

[Sarah]

This doesn't surprise me at all. Personally, if I have a minor ailment, I like to try and find a natural way to fix it before taking drugs. Sometimes it's tough though. Even though herbs/supplements are 'natural' they can interact with things, and it's hard to find a doctor or pharmacist who can help you make educated decisions.

I think it would be great if doctors were required to learn more about integrative therapies. However, it's important to note that researchers are learning more about therapies (particularly herbal therapies) every day. So, it's just like any other type of medicine - constantly evolving. Therefore, learning shouldn't stop at med school. Doctors have to stay up to date with the latest research and developments in integrative medicine, as well as conventional medicine.

[Pam]

So doctors don't learn about integrative medicine when they're in med school? That's a really scary thought. What if I decided to start taking herbal supplements? Is it likely that my doctor wouldn't know much about potential side effects and interactions?

[Pixie]

I feel like one of the most common uses of CAM is to treat obesity. Maybe it's just because there are so many dietary supplement commercials and advertisements, but I really see that as being a hot area right now.

[dani]

I think it's interesting how in America, we call natural medicine "alternative medicine," while in China, it's known as "central medicine." It makes sense why herbal therapies are more widely accepted in China, because the name doesn't suggest that it's weird or unconventional (think "alternative rock"). I think the term "complementary medicine" is favorable to "alternative medicine".

[Bert]

I agree with Dani. The word "alternative" really does have negative connotations. I guess that's why more and more people are using words like "integrative" and "holistic" instead.

[Mikah]

It's no surprise that CAM therapies are gaining popularity. Unfortunately, my doctor is resistant to these trends. He still does not regard integrative approaches with the same esteem as conventional therapies.

[Jacob]

It is great to hear that insurance companies are starting to cover integrative therapies like chiropractic therapy! I think this gives people more options in what treatment they seek. I see what Dani means with referring to complementary medicine as alternative. I have a friend in India who told me that many people only consult an herbal doctor and rarely go to a conventional one. Over there, this practice is not uncommon and complementary medicine is a trusted option for healthcare.

[Elizabeth]

So this article says that research on natural products has found that phytochemicals found in foods might help prevent growth of tumors, but recently there has been a lot of research on bioengineered plants that contain much higher levels of phytochemicals for health benefits. Would you still call these “natural products?" Where do you draw the line? Or should anyone bother?

[Lara]

Karen,

I think the biggest difference between what we call conventional medicine now and the versions of CAM therapies and herbs that were used years ago is that, while yes, we ARE about the quick-fix now, but natural and alternative practices are more about prevention, which, when you think about it, really makes a lot more sense!

[Mike]

Maybe Karen is right. Prevention would ideally be the smartest way to go about living a healthy life, but in today's world it's just not always practical or even possible. Recent ideas are right, it's the holistic, or "whole person," approach that really covers all the bases.

[Leo]

I agree that natural medicine is definitely gaining popularity. I recently had electroacupuncture and cupping done, and it was amazing. It surprises me that I'm so open-minded about different types of therapies. Years ago, I never would have tried them.

[lupe]

I thought this article was interesting, but it kind of demonstrates the predominant attitude toward alternative medicine in the United States:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/08/healthmag.travel.health/index.html

Traditional herbal medicine often gets a bad rap, but many drugs that we use today come from natural sources. For instance, consider antibiotics (penicillin comes from mold). Then there's the anticoagulant Coumadin, which is a synthetic derivative of the coumarins found in licorice (something I learned from the comments from the chitosan post, just before this post).

[RP]

Not to mention Aspirin, which probably everyone has used at some point. I learned a long time ago that the bark of the willow tree contains salicylates that are similar in structure and action to Aspirin.

[endostatin]

It makes me sad too that that CNN article seemed to paint traditional Chinese medicine in a bad light. Contrast that article with this one:

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2006/08/07/chinese_herb_may_yield_drug_for_aids/

In a nutshell, a Chinese herb may be the source of a new class of drugs used to treat HIV.

[Lisa]

Many, many drugs come from natural sources. Some that come to mind are the opiates (morphine, demerol, vicodin, oxycontin, heroin, etc.), which come from opium. Naturally derived substances have very real effects; I guess the point here is that even though they may be "natural" they still have to be taken seriously.

[Liza]

One of my relatives got me a gift certificate to see an acupuncturist. I'm excited because it's something I've been thinking about trying for quite a while. Should I expect to see results immediately after my session, or will I need several sessions for my back pain to go away?

[mary]

Liza:

How fast you feel relief by trying acupuncture really depends on a lot of variables: how often you go; the severity of the condition for which you use acupuncture; the cause of your condition; etc. Acupuncture visits typically start out as weekly. Your symptoms may go away for a limited period after just one or two treatments. Usually, once you start to experience prolonged relief of symptoms, you can go less frequently. Again, a lot of this will depend on your individual situation and the approach and expert opinion of your acupuncture therapist.

[Carnivherb]

One reason I think people are started to become to fascinated with complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of common illnesses is because of the almost exotic idea of products that have been "used for centuries," are "a staple of ancient Eastern healing practices," are "extracted from the depths of the tropical rainforests of such-and-such faraway lands," etc.

Now, I'm not downplaying the effectiveness of such a form of therapy. On the contrary, I would prefer natural treatment over conventional drugs any day. Rather, my point is that I feel that it's almost becoming a cultural trend, such that using natural medicines is now the "cool" thing to do, and many people pay less attention to the actual benefits/harms of using these medicines than they do to the psychological factor of trying something new and different.

[Sofie]

I think a lot of people are turning to integrative therapies because so many people don't have health insurance. If you can buy a bottle of St. John's wort for $10 at CVS, it's much cheaper than paying for a doctor's visit plus $100-bottle of prescription antidepressants. The problem though, is that many people aren't counseled about safety issues and potential interactions.