History of Alternative Medicine

The history of alternative medicine dates back more than 6,000 years and encompasses many cultures and practices. Alternative medicine is usually attributed to eastern cultures, originating in China and India. When discussing the evolution of alternative medicine, it's easiest to organize the methods by those popular in eastern and western cultures.

The East seems to be the original focal point when it comes to the history of alternative medicine. Traditional medicine in India is called Ayurveda. This name is a combination of the Sanskrit words for life and science. In Ayurveda, the aim is to balance the mind, body, and soul. Practitioners heal individuals through the use of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and natural minerals. Chinese traditional medicine encompasses various practices including acupuncture, massage, and the administration of various herbs.

The history of traditional medicine in the West includes its uses in both Europe and America.  Naturopathy and hydrotherapy originated in Europe. Naturopathy, a combination of proper nutrition and rest, is also supplemented with herbs. Hydrotherapy, as its name suggests, uses water to treat various illnesses. Herbalism, although used in many other countries for thousands of years, became popular in America at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Similar to other practices, herbalism uses natural plants to treat various illnesses.

Today, there is a noticeable increase in the number of people seeking alternative forms of medicine. Herbal treatments, acupuncture, massage, and yoga are all popular in the modern world. What is appealing about traditional medicine is its holistic approach. Throughout the history of alternative medicine, people have sought to treat the entire body, as well as the mind. In doing this, alternative medicine hopes to prevent many illnesses by keeping the individual physically and mentally healthy. From aromatherapy gift baskets to lavender neck wraps, it seems as if people today are returning to a more natural form of medicine.