Alternative Medicine: Under-Evaluated or Ineffective

Rehan Haider*, Zameer Ahmed**, Geetha Kumari Das***, Sambreen Zameer****
* Department of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
**, **** Department of Pathology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
*** OPJS University, Sadulpur, Rajasthan, India.
Periodicity:January - April'2025
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jls.4.1.22052

Abstract

Alternative medicine is getting more attention as an opportunity to enhance traditional medicine. Although some remedies, including acupuncture, traditional medicine, and conventional healing practices, have proven effective in certain cases, numerous possible alternatives remain underexplored or lack accurate experimental validation. The issue of complete cure is related to the extent to which these methods correlate with evidence-based treatment and adhere to strict standards. According to critics, several alternative medicines rely on informal evidence and lack systematic, objective testing, which raises concerns about effectiveness, safety, and repeatability. In contrast, supporters of traditional and integrative approaches highlight their potential for patient-centered care and their value in education. In addition, there is more attention, but the regulations governing medicine have shifted a lot, making it difficult to practice. The idea of integrated medicine which integrates traditional and alternative therapies, has emerged as a positive model that focuses on the patient and allows for future research. It is important to understand how alternative drugs relate to traditional methods and how various properties can be integrated into modern healthcare. This paper examines the current state of medicine and differentiates between techniques that are backed by research and those that lack substantial support. Additionally, it discusses the ethical issues that lead to its acceptance at every instant.

Keywords

Alternative Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Efficacy, Safety, Regulation, Traditional Healing.

How to Cite this Article?

Haider, R., Ahmed, Z., Das, G. K., and Zameer, S. (2025). Alternative Medicine: Under-Evaluated or Ineffective. i-manager’s Journal on Life Sciences, 4(1), 31-37. https://doi.org/10.26634/jls.4.1.22052

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