Traditional medicine and safety of traditional medicine

1. Traditional medicine

2. • What is traditional medicine?
• Traditional medicine boasts an extensive historical background,
encompassing a compilation of knowledge, skills, and practices
rooted in the theories, beliefs, and experiences unique to various
cultures. Whether scientifically explicable or not, it plays a crucial role
in maintaining health and addressing the aspects of prevention,
diagnosis, improvement, or treatment of both physical and mental
illnesses.

3. • Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) has enjoyed widespread usage
for centuries, becoming a fundamental healthcare resource within households
and communities. Across 170 countries, there is reported engagement with
traditional medicine, with acupuncture emerging as the predominant practice in
113 nations. Notably, numerous developed countries have acknowledged the
value of traditional medicine, incorporating it into their healthcare systems.
• Statistics from 2012 reveal a significant adoption of T&CM practices, with nearly
half of the population in various industrialized nations regularly utilizing these
approaches. Notable examples include the United States (42%), Australia (48%),
France (49%), and Canada (70%). Moreover, a considerable proportion of
populations in other countries, such as Chile (71%), Colombia (40%), and some
African nations (up to 80%), also embrace and incorporate traditional and
complementary medicine into their health practices.

4. • The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively engaged in addressing and collaborating on traditional medicine for several
reasons:
• Cultural Significance: Traditional, indigenous, and ancestral knowledge has played a vital role in healthcare for centuries,
contributing significantly to the well-being of households and communities. Recognizing the cultural significance of traditional
medicine, WHO aims to preserve and integrate these practices into broader healthcare frameworks.
• Global Utilization: With 170 out of 194 Member States reporting the use of herbal medicines, acupuncture, yoga, indigenous
therapies, and other traditional forms of medicine, there is a widespread global utilization of these practices. Acknowledging this
prevalence, WHO seeks to understand, support, and regulate traditional medicine to ensure safe and effective healthcare
practices.
• Integration into National Systems: Many countries have recognized the value of traditional medicine and have taken steps to
integrate it into their national healthcare systems. WHO collaborates with nations to facilitate this integration, ensuring that
traditional medicine is considered and utilized alongside conventional healthcare approaches.
• Diverse Healthcare Options: By promoting traditional medicine, WHO aims to provide diverse healthcare options to individuals
and communities. This inclusivity allows people to access a range of approaches for maintaining health and addressing illnesses,
catering to the diverse cultural and individual preferences worldwide.
• Public Health and Safety: With the widespread use of traditional medicine, there is a need to ensure the safety, efficacy, and
quality of these practices and products. WHO works to establish guidelines, standards, and regulations for traditional medicine to
protect public health and promote responsible and evidence-based use.
• In summary, WHO's involvement in traditional medicine reflects a commitment to recognizing, respecting, and integrating diverse
healthcare practices that have been integral to many cultures for generations. This approach aligns with the organization's goal of
promoting global health and ensuring that healthcare options are inclusive, safe, and effective.

5. • The global landscape of healthcare is witnessing a significant rise in the prominence of traditional
medicine, reflecting a growing demand from patients who seek greater control over their health
and well-being. This trend is fueled by a desire for more compassionate and personalized
healthcare experiences. Particularly in remote and rural areas, traditional medicine remains the
primary choice for millions, offering culturally acceptable, available, and affordable care.
• Recognizing the global importance of traditional medicine, the World Health Organization (WHO)
is actively involved in addressing this phenomenon. The demand for evidence and data from
countries has led to WHO's efforts in providing information to inform policies and practices
related to traditional medicine. The organization is also working on establishing global standards
and regulations to ensure the safety, quality, and equitable access to traditional healthcare.
• The 2018 Declaration of Astana on primary health care underscores the necessity of integrating
traditional medicine knowledge and technologies into the delivery of primary healthcare. This
acknowledgment recognizes traditional medicine as a valuable component of health systems,
aligning with the overarching goal of achieving health for all. By promoting the inclusion of
traditional medicine, WHO aims to create a healthcare environment that is not only
comprehensive and effective but also respects diverse cultural practices and addresses the
healthcare needs of all individuals, regardless of their geographic location.

6. • The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the diversity of traditional,
complementary, and integrative medicine (T&CM) practices worldwide and recognizes
their contributions to health, well-being, people-centered healthcare, and the pursuit of
universal health coverage. WHO's position emphasizes the potential benefits of
appropriately integrating T&CM into healthcare systems, particularly at the primary
health care level.
• The organization acknowledges that many countries have a rich history of traditional
medicine and practitioners who play a crucial role in providing care to populations. WHO
recognizes the valuable benefits that traditional, complementary, and alternative
medicine can offer to individuals and communities.
• By acknowledging the importance of traditional medicine, WHO aims to foster an
inclusive approach to healthcare that embraces the diversity of healing practices. This
recognition aligns with the organization's commitment to promoting health equity,
improving health outcomes, and supporting comprehensive healthcare services that
cater to the diverse needs and preferences of individuals and communities worldwide.

7. • The integration of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) into national health systems and
mainstream healthcare is a process that must be carried out with careful consideration, effectiveness, and
safety. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of this integration being based on
the latest scientific evidence to avoid patient harm and ensure safe, effective, and high-quality healthcare.
• WHO actively supports countries seeking to incorporate traditional medicine practices into their healthcare
systems, promoting a science-based approach. This approach is essential for establishing the efficacy and
safety of traditional medicines through rigorous clinical trials, despite their longstanding historical use and
natural origins. Rigorous clinical trials not only ensure the effectiveness and safety of treatments but also
provide the robust evidence necessary for the inclusion of traditional medicines in WHO guidelines.
• Challenges arise with non-medicinal therapies such as yoga and acupuncture, where wide variability in
practice makes performing randomly controlled trials difficult, if not impossible. In response to this
challenge, WHO advocates for the development of new methodologies that can generate credible and
robust evidence to support the use of these therapies for specific conditions. This commitment to evidence-
based practices underscores the organization's dedication to ensuring that recommendations for traditional
and complementary medicine are grounded in rigorous scientific scrutiny, providing a solid foundation for
their integration into healthcare systems.

8. • The safety of traditional medicine is a complex matter, and it is crucial to recognize that while
many traditional remedies and treatments are widely used, not all of them are inherently safe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) upholds the principle of "do no harm" in medicine, and
safety is a fundamental consideration in the provision of healthcare treatments and procedures,
including those derived from traditional medicine.
• WHO consistently advocates for the integration of traditional medicine practices and products
into national health systems only when they meet established standards of quality, safety, and
efficacy. While herbal remedies, acupuncture, and homeopathy are commonly used in traditional
medicine systems and may be perceived as natural and, therefore, safe, this is not always the
case.
• Contrary to popular belief, traditional medicine products are not inherently safe, and they may
have negative health consequences. Issues may arise, especially when these products are used in
combination with other medicines or when taken in high doses. It is essential for individuals to
exercise caution, seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals, and ensure that any
traditional medicine products they use meet recognized safety and quality standards.
Additionally, rigorous scientific research and clinical trials play a crucial role in establishing the
safety and efficacy of traditional medicine practices before their integration into healthcare
systems.