Alternative vs Modern Medicine

The Usage of Alternative Medicine and the Effects of Modern Medicine in Developing and Modern Societies

Zeleiyah Barker

Global Studies and World Languages Academy at Tallwood High School

Gregory Falls

Abstract
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The scope of this research paper encompasses the comparison between Eastern and Western usage of

alternative medicine. This paper also discusses topics such as the harmful effects of modern medicine and the

origins of both alternative and modern medicine. The paper brings together the opposing view between a more

developed society and the developing society, while comparing which alternative medicines are commonly

used between them. This paper is very helpful and informative when it comes to becoming more aware of the

specific origins of different natural remedies and what they can be used for. The importance is to inform that

modern medicine is not imperative, and does not need to be relied on for illnesses that can be prevented by

alternative medicine. If different cultures can incorporate alternative medicine into their lifestyles, Americans

can also adapt to and become more aware of the alternative lifestyle, and use it in their lives.

Table of Contents

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………2
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.
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………..4

Limitations……………………………………………………………………………………...5

Literature Review……………………………………………………………………………….5

Discussion……………………………………………………………………………………….8

Place of Origin………………………………………………………………………………11

Across Cultures……………………………………………………………………………...13

Contrast Between Alternative and Modern Medicine…………………………………….....14

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………....16

Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………….17

Introduction
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Alternative medicine holds a major place in the everyday lives of citizenry around the world. Instead of

relying on antibiotics or cough medicines to treat the common cold,

individuals can use various teas and essential oils. In many other countries of the world, such as China, they

rely on herbs and spices for medicinal purposes. This lifestyle choice may be a source of healing for some, but

can also be a traditional and cultural way of living for others​.

​Merriam - Webster ​defines alternative medicine as “​any of various systems of healing or treating disease

(as homeopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, ayurveda, or faith healing) that are not included in the traditional

curricula taught in medical schools of the United States and Britain​.” The Western world has normalized the

use of antibiotics and prescription drugs rather than using natural remedies. Modern medicine is more of a

temporary solution to a problem, while alternative medicine is more of a prevention to a problem. Doctors

make money because patients continue to purchase medicinal drugs to ease their suffering. If medicinal drugs

cured illnesses, doctors would be out of work.

In many different countries, this form of medicine is practiced daily, but it not regarded as medicine

because it is the norm. Alternative medicine is influenced by different cultures, lifestyles and the availability

of resources.The effects of alternative medicine is dramatically better in comparison to modern medicine,

which can have a negative effect of the body, physically and mentally.

Limitations

Personal Bias: ​The author decided to focus the research on the benefits of alternative medicine in

comparison to western modern medicine because the author’s family and many other families rely on natural
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remedies in everyday life. Instead of using antibiotics and cough medicine to fight the common cold, the

author use natural remedies such as teas and essential oils. The author wanted to delve into how people from

many other countries, backgrounds and ethnicities and explore how alternative medicines are used in their

lives.

Geography: ​ Within the research, the author wanted to compare the effects of alternative medicine used in

different parts of the world, but will refer to more developed countries as the “west” and developing countries

and the “east”

Time​: Due to the required deadline, the author was not able to submit the paper on time. The author was not

able to produce the paper to the fullest extent for the Body/Conclusion deadline, but was able to for the whole

paper deadline.

​Literature Review

Many people rely on modern medicine when it comes to healing and daily life, as opposed to alternative

medicine, which has substantial benefits. The scope of my research focuses on the

different effects of modern and alternative medicine, and how alternative medicine carries better results.

Another point in my focus is how different cultures incorporate alternative medicine into their lifestyles and

can they compare to others. Different cultures also rely on the availability of resources because they do not

have access to healthcare, so they are forced into using natural remedies.

Alternative medicine has to have an origin, just like the development of modern medicine. It is hard to

trace exactly where it began because it varies between different perspectives, beliefs and values and access to

resources in the area. Eastern philosophy has a major impact on the different cultures.Chinese medicine is one

of the oldest forms of the usage of natural remedies. Their usage is based on Taoist and Buddhist principles,
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which say that the environment and the mind are linked. They also base their ideals on Yin and Yang, which

say that there needs to be a balance within the body, and without a balance, disease can occur and destroy the

body. Western philosophy has a different meaning and origin than eastern philosophy. Western medicine goes

back around 3000 years ago. In Rome, alternative medicine was widely influenced by herbalists and

physicians such as Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) He was known as the “Father of Medicine.” and he practiced

herbal medicine and shared it with civilians. Monks and folk healers also studied herbal medicine and grew

medicinal plants to aid with sickness and suffering. Herbal medicinal culture was passed down through word

of mouth. Before the development of modern medicine, near the 19th century, naturalist doctors, called

naturopaths would analyze patients’

lifestyles and suggest ways of improving it, such as a change of diet, environment, and herbal remedies.

(​History of Alternative Medicine​. n.d.. Retrieved November 07, 2017)

A big question that may cause a lot of controversy within my topic is which method is more practical and

which method is more widely used. It is hard to ask these questions because the opinion will be different

because of the different parts of the world. We, Americans might choose Modern medicine as a whole

because we have the opportunity to receive medical care, unlike

many other parts of the world. We do not have the same perspective because we are not in the the same

position or have the same status as people in other countries. In one country what is considered alternative

medicine may be a way of life in another in another. For example, Chinese medicine, which I discussed earlier

is an traditional way of life in China, but is an alternative way of life in America. Another example regarding

perspective is the American and European outlook on health. In France, they are healthier overall, and focus

more on health for the liver more than we do. In Germany, antibiotics have to be proven harmless, but they do
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not have to be proven effective, to be approved. This gives consumers a choice to see what they are getting

and what the antibiotics will cause damage before they take them.

(​ ​Health and Medicine Across Cultures.​ (2017, April 04). Retrieved October 18, 2017,)

In the article, ​Why Rejecting the Modern World is a Privileged Fantasy​, found on ​The Guardian​, author

Dean Burnett argues why author Mark Boyles stance that it is better to live an alternative life as opposed to

conforming to the modern world, is irrational because he has a privileged outlook. Boyle compares the effects

of modern medicine and alternative medicine and decided to take the extreme natural route, meaning no

money, technology, electricity etc. He

even relies on plant-based diets. Burnett’s argument lies in the fact that Boyle endures this lifestyle because he

comes from a privileged background, and that he can always go back to it. Burnett also states Boyles

hypocrisy. Burnett points out how Boyle would frequently shares his back-to-nature lifestyle spewing about it

via internet. Alternative medicine is a way of life for many people because it is what is available to them, and

even though it is better, it is forced upon

certain societies, while us Americans have the choice. (Burnett, D. 2017, September 22 ​Why rejecting the

modern world is a privileged fantasy​. )

There are many different natural remedies and alternative medicines that can improve daily life, and not just

for sicknesses and disease. Natural remedies can be used for depression, anxiety and many other issues that

people can face on a daily basis. There are also remedies that cater to specific genders, ages, or races. For

example, for children ages 4-12 eating carbohydrates helps to keep them active without the use of

supplements (Department of Health & Human Services. (2015, April 23). ​Healthy living​). Another example is

for women, in aiding to combat or prevent fibroids, instead of antibiotics, there are a variety of natural home
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remedies, such as consuming whole grains, fruits, and vegetables which can flush excess estrogen from the

body. (​Allergies​. (n.d.). Retrieved November 07, 2017)

The point of my research to to inform readers that using alternative medicine has healthier results than

using modern medicine and that society does not have to rely on modern medicine when natural remedies can

prevent some problems from occurring, but natural lifestyle is based on a cultural outlook and different

perspectives.

Discussion

Alternative medicine is a broad term that encompasses multiple lifestyle choices, chemical components, and

dietary practices. Therefore, it is difficult for one to pinpoint its date of origin. Moreover, methods of healing

depend upon the country being focused upon because it is their way of life, while it may be foreign to others.

Perspectives, beliefs, and values, and access to resources also influence the wide variety of alternative

medicine usage.

One way to delineate the differences is through geographic demarcation .The Eastern and Western

perspective regarding the use of modern and alternative medicine creates a major gap in the modern world.

While the West typically focus on dividing health from disease, the eastern approach mainly considers health

as a balanced state while disease is the unbalanced state. First, it is imperative to decipher what it means to

divide health from disease. While Merriam Webster defines health as “ being of sound mind, body, and

spirit,” humans have their own interpretations of what or who is healthy. Health may sometimes be held to a

standard of normal, or biological criteria, which is usually measured with statistics.

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Measurement actually varies depending upon what is being measured and what value is placed upon

that criteria. For example, what could be deemed as healthy in one location could be the average measure of

height, weight, blood pressure, body temperature, pulse and many other characteristics that are typically

measured. For another location, however, the amount of sleep one gets could be a standard of healthiness.

Another way of looking at this is based upon individual standards. A 16-17 year old female weighing

115-120 pounds would be seen as healthy according to medical professionals from the West. This begs the

question of whether one’s weight could lie outside of the numbered range and still be healthy. To really

understand the level of health one lives, a whole set of criteria need to be analyzed.

There is a large range of biological variation that does not fit the “normal” standard. There would not even

be the term normal if it was not for diversity in the population. For example, regarding body height, on a bell

shaped curve very short people would be at the very far left of the curve, while really tall people would be at

the far right. The average data taken in between the heights would be located in the middle of the curve.

Those who fall under or go over the median are considered not “normal,” but when coinciding normalcy with

health, does that mean that they are not healthy? An individual that falls under or over the normal spectrum

could still be in perfect health. Therefore, it it unethical to use the word normal when regarding health, in

some cases, due to the basis of biological variation. Abnormality must also be distinguished from disease.

What is considered abnormal, such as a really tall person, compared to a person of “average” height, does not

necessarily mean it is a disease, but being abnormally tall may increase the risk of disease.

When considering the Bell Curve regarding conditions such as obesity, seen often as a medical health

risk, is it possible that DNA comes into play with those struggling with weight issues? The more important

question for all of the abovementioned cases is what is the effect of the condition on overall health or disease.

One must look at the operational definition of disease to truly understand its impact.
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Disease is defined as “an impairment of the normal state of a human being that interrupts, or modifies, its

vital functions.” Many diseases are genetic while some may be contracted. Some diseases are caused by

mutations in the DNA. Diseases interrupts the natural body functions, and

can cause the body to not perform the way it was designed to. This essentially is how the West sees and

combats disease ( Robbins, J. H., Robbins, S. L., & Scarpelli, D. G. 2017)

The East, however, believes that having good health means that the body must be in a balanced state, and

disease is the unbalanced state. Being in this state means to be free of impurities, and that each part of the

body is working, and functioning normally. Traditional Chinese medicine or TCM as it is sometimes called is

an example of a collection of remedies that focus on having the body in a balanced state. The key to having a

balanced system is recognizing when there is an imbalance and treating it before it becomes a disease. TCM is

based on the belief that everything needed to maintain or restore health is found in nature and it is up to the

individual to find the remedy that suits them best, in order to create a balance using a proper diet, herbs,

acupuncture, and other TCM remedies instead of what is considered modern medicine ( Burke, Kaptchuk, &

Weber 2017)

Place of Origin

The place of origin between alternative medicine and modern medicine in the Eastern and Western countries

is another way to distinguish the two worlds. It is difficult to trace the exact origin of these two remedies

because they stem from a variety of cultures. However, one of the main reasons for the introduction of

alternative medicine in the Eastern countries is the basis of faith and spirituality, for example:

In India, the concept of alternative medicine came about because of the ancient writings of the vedas.

The vedas are a collection of Hindu scriptures that include hymns, philosophy, and guidance to vedic
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priests.Within the Vedas, consists a set of metrical passages called Atharva Veda, which talks about the

procedure for everyday life. The Atharva Veda passage dates back as

far as 2nd millennium B.C.E. From the Vedas and the Atharva Veda passage stems a type of medicine called

Ayurveda which was commonly used. According to a later writer, Ayurveda was received by a Dhanvantari, a

physician of the gods, and he was named the god of medicine

(​Origin of Ayurveda​ 2016)

In China, alternative medicine originated out of Taoist beliefs about 4,000 years ago. This type of

medicine is mostly based on the philosophy of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang came about by the observation of

nature. It is used to describe the opposing conditions of the body, and the belief that everything has two

opposing aspects, which are opposite and interdependent. The word Yin means the “sunny side” which is the

light side and Yang means the “shady side” or the dark side, which is represented in the Yin and Yang

symbol, the Taijitu. The concept of Yin and Yang is that even though they are different they are meant to be

together. The belief is that when the two halves of Yin and Yang are separated, it interrupts the equilibrium.

Both halves will continue to chase each other until they find a new balance of wholeness, correlating with the

need for the body to be in a balanced state (​ ​Grasp and Explore Yin and Yang More Deeply​ n.d. 2017,)

The introduction of Western modern medicine came about by the observation of the public in the 18th and

19th century, after the discovery of bacteria and diseases. This time in history was known for its great

economic activity. The human body was becoming more understood and there were tools developed to get a

closer look. Tools were developed due to the fact that

practices such as bloodletting and amputations without proper technology or anesthesia usually resulted in

death (Team, T. M.2016)​.

Across Cultures
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The use of alternative medicine is usually associated with developing countries, but there is a variety of

practices that Americans use as well. There are numerous alternative remedies that have proven beneficial to

the population of the country of origin and to Americans.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine or CAM is a group of healthcare systems, practices, and

products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. In December 2008 the National

Center for Health Statistics and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

released their findings about a National Health Interview Survey. The CAM section surveyed 29,393 adults

(18 years and older) and 9, 417 children (17 years and under) and discussed topics such as health and illness

related experiences. One of the goals was to try to discover a trend with the usage of CAM. Studies show that

people of all backgrounds use CAM but it is most common among women, and those with higher levels of

education and income. The common health conditions that prompt the use of CAM are head and chest colds

and musculoskeletal problems, such as back, neck, and joint pain. Common therapies used include: Diet-

based therapies, Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Meditation, Naturopathy, and many more. The most popular natural

products used are fish oil/ omega 3, glucosamine, echinacea, and flaxseed. ​Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin R.

CDC (​National Health Statistics ​Report#12)

It is interesting that while Many Americans appreciate natural based remedies and incorporate it into their

lives, even though it may not fit the “norm” or a privileged, and others refuse to live that way because it is not

the culture, but someone else's. Even so, the adoption of the natural remedies within American society creates

social ties and a sense of appreciation towards an opposing culture. There can be a comparison drawn between

cultures regarding the common therapies used with Americans and the place of origin.

Ayurveda is a perfect example. As discussed earlier, Ayurveda is a form of alternative healing derived

from India, but is commonly used in America as well. Ayurveda is a science of life and incorporates the
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belief that the mind body are connected, and strives to help people stay healthy and vibrant. The concept

consists of bringing awareness to oneself and freeing the mind through remedies such as meditation which

relieves stress and anxiety hormones such as cortisol and releases positive neurotransmitters that enhances

wellbeing, this includes serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, all without the use of modern

medicine (​Chopra, 2017).

Another divide between the use of alternative medicine between the east and the west is the access to

resources. Many Eastern countries do not have access to the proper health care that Americans have.

Therefore, they may be forced into living the alternative lifestyle because they have no other option. While

Americans believe that this lifestyle is foreign and new, it is the common way of life for other.

Contrast Between Alternative and Modern Medicine

The Author of this paper recently had an email interview with physician, Ivane Hanscom, who is also an

independent distributer for essential oils, various plant based oils that can be used for

medicinal purposes. When the question, what led you to be involved with essential oils,was posed, she

responded, “​ I'm a physician and have been reading a lot about alternative medicine and a better way of

treating diseases without the collateral effect of drugs. A few years ago I found this article in a Medical

Journal called PUBMED:​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17024588​ They used Frankincense as a

chemotherapy. I started to try essential oils myself and the results were impressive​.​”

She referred to the effects of drugs as collateral, in this case the effects of drugs are harmful and will come

inevitably. Medicines that are used to treat illnesses can cause more side effects than the individual had

initially. For example, penicillin can cause allergic reactions such as harmful skin reactions in around five

percent of the population.

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Modern medicine can also be very addictive and can cause an individual to become sicker. According to an

article in The Guardian, the topic discussed was the addiction of thousands of individuals in the U.K. to

codeine and tramadol. These medicines are supposed to be used for pain medication, but are being abused.

One of the main reasons for this is the thousands of reports of unnecessary prescription. Unnecessary

prescription occurs when doctors falsely prescribe medicinal drugs to treat an illness, when there is no need

for it. Drug abuse can result in internal bodily damage and death ​(Marsh, S. 2017,). ​However, with the

abundant purchases of these drugs comes increased wealth for doctors and other individuals in the

pharmaceutical industry. If medicine were not addictive, these individuals would be out of a job.

The second question asked to Mrs. Hanscom was, how do you feel about today’s modern medicine and the

health industry? She responded,​ “I will start saying that all drugs have collateral effects. Some drugs and

treatments are necessary but some other illnesses are treatable with natural ways by changing the lifestyle

and eating habits. Degenerative diseases are preventable and reversible with lifestyle changes and

commitment.'Some of the most common types of degenerative diseases are cancer, diabetes, heart and

circulatory problems, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. Millions of people

around the world are affected by these diseases. In fact, in most countries, certain types of degenerative

diseases are consistently among the top causes of mortality'. I like to combine lifestyle changes, eating plant

based meals, herbal teas, essential oils and exercise to a regular treatment. In a few months we will see the

body reacting positively to the changes and we can start to wean the drugs out of the patient regimen. All this

without collateral effect​.”

Question #3​:​ ​In your personal opinion, do you feel like alternative medicine is more beneficial than modern

medicine?​ “​Modern medicine is necessary for emergencies and for unpreventable illness. I like to use

alternative medicine for all the preventable problems like: diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems,
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cholesterol problems, some types and early stages of cancer, depression, anxiety, colds and flu, sinusitis... all

the degenerative diseases.

Question #4​: Do you use any other alternative/natural remedies in your home life? If so what are they? “​Yes, I

like to combine alternative medicine and regular medicines (when necessary) in

my house. We embraced plant based diet, we use herbal teas, essential oils, hydrotherapy, clay and charcoal

topically , supplements and exercise as part of treatment and prevention of illness.”

Alternative medicine is encourages the awareness of one's body and prompts better care and balance, since it

is more or a preventative medicine. It allows an individual to find a medical regimen that better suits them,

instead of relying on medicinal drugs that are used universally and does not specifically cater to one person.

Conclusion

Alternative medicine is influenced by many different cultures and lifestyles, but can be adopted and adapted

to fit the needs of a specific individual. A modern society does not consider natural remedies to be “orthodox”

or “normal”, but it still holds a place in the lives in many Americans and proves to have many benefits as

opposed to modern medicine. Reliance on modern medicine does not have to consume a culture if

preventative, alternative medicine, is used.

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