Growing up in an Indian household, herbal remedies always brought forth a sense of comfort. Every culture has their version of chicken noodle soup, and mine was a soupy lentil rice with a bit of salt, sugar and lemon. If I ever had a cold, I would go back to the age-old remedy of turmeric mixed into milk with a little bit of honey.
Beyond nostalgia and a sense of comfort, however, there is little credibility to these methods. WebMD mentions how turmeric is commonly used to treat pain and inflammation, with little effect on cholesterol levels and cold-like symptoms. This is far from the cure-all that could be expected from a treatment backed by generations. The warmth and the honey in the turmeric milk may help soothe an already irritated throat, but it would likely do little virus-killing. Time, rest, plenty of fluids and, perhaps, a visit to the doctor’s office allow our immune system to do the job. Before I continue, let me make some terms clear. Conventional medicine, also known as allopathic or “Western” medicine, describes medical practices conducted by medical professionals which may involve drugs or surgery. Complementary medicine is the use of alternate therapies in tandem with conventional medicinal treatments. Alternative medicine is used as a replacement for conventional medicinal treatments. These alternate therapies may include meditation, yoga, vitamins, natural supplements, acupuncture or homeopathy. It’s important to note that many lack a statistically significant outcome, so it is unclear if they can actually treat an illness.
With little proven effectiveness, can these therapies truly replace conventional treatments? How much faith can we really place in their outcomes?
Take the example of homeopathic medicine, which started over 200 years ago based on the belief that diseases can be cured by substances which elicit the same symptoms in healthy people (toxins, such as belladonna, poison ivy, mercury and lead) and the belief that a lower dose results in a greater effectiveness. Some prepared medicines are so diluted that the proposed active ingredient cannot be detected anymore, which brings into question if the treatment is even interacting with the patient at all. These dilutions are custom-made to fit the patient, yet homeopathic medications can also readily be acquired over the counter, with the extent of the dilution unknown. It treats the healing process, rather than any specific disease.
It is also important to consider the fact that many of these treatments tend to be self-prescribed. Small fractions of those receiving homeopathic treatments saw a homeopathic practitioner, the self-administration leading to the risk of exposure beyond what would be in the toxins used in homeopathic medicines. No homeopathic medication is approved by the FDA, which means that their safety and effectiveness have not been regulated or examined to the same extent as conventional medicine. It fails in clinical trials when administered alongside a placebo.
Yet, many turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as homeopathic medications, perhaps frustrated by conventional medicine, or eager to do as much as possible to heal themselves. Cancer patients may resort to CAM, even if the treatment has little effect on their symptoms. It’s alluring to have a less invasive treatment plan instead of surgery or medications with severe side effects, an easy fix over a harder cure. However, behind this ease is a treatment that is not effective and will not treat the disease beyond potentially its symptoms.
It’s clear that CAM needs to be used responsibly, with the understanding that completely replacing conventional medicine will not entirely address or cure a disease. Complementary medicine can be helpful with treatment side effects to mitigate the pain and improve general quality of life—or at the very least, lift spirits so a patient can continue to fight and heal. More invasive treatment plans, such as surgery or even chemotherapy, take a great physical toll on the patient and greatly test one’s willpower and strength. Thus treatments such as yoga, herbal remedies or chiropractic therapy can serve as a support during the healing process. Belief in the power of a treatment, no matter its effectiveness, also improves morale when dealing with illness.
It would also be remiss to mention the fact that not all individuals want to deal with these mental and physical tolls and merely wish to live comfortably and peacefully with the time they have left. Many of these intense treatments have little chance of success and a much greater chance of further pain—the risk outweighs the reward. Use of CAM may make life much more comfortable, as well as give a greater sense of control over one’s own treatment. Mental health is just as important as physical health for individuals fighting various battles.
With the significant population of pre-health students at Case Western Reserve University, it is important to not only be well informed about and accepting of different perspectives on treatment plans, but also to encourage greater medical literacy for those around us. Information is the power that allows a person to make informed decisions about their own health, beyond what may seem the simplest or what is sold to them as the best option.