why traditional medicine is better

The result is humans have longer life spans and improved quality of life. Modern Medicine Helps us Live Longer. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. According to her, pile is better treated traditionally, saying that most hospitals prefer to treat pile through surgery, which comes with a lot of side effects. Our culture has allowed the health care industry to become so powerful and disproportionately lucrative that it is now in the business of illness rather than health. Another resident of Lafia, Shola Babs, said some people patronise local bone setters instead of visiting the modern orthopaedic hospital because of the high cost charged there. Some pharmaceutical medications are based on a single active ingredient derived from a plant source. A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, found that patients use roots and herbs, believing that it is the best to treat their conditions. Alternative Medicine 902 Words | 4 Pages. Another user, Boniface Kper, claims that traditional bone setters can treat broken bones better than the modern hospitals. Therefore, in critical circumstances, traditional avenues are a preferred option. Mr Kogi, a journalist, said “my family is knowledgeable in herbs and roots, and the people of my village adopted the culture of locally sourcing for herbs to treat various health challenges because it had been yielding positive results. “I believed her because she gave me testimonies of the people treated and cured. It can also be referred to as contemporary medicine or the western medicine. It concentrates on factors causing the disease, its prevention, remedies, and deals with the abnormality as an independent entity. Conventional Vs Alternative Medicine Explained. So, when I got there, she said that one old woman in her mother in-law’s village is a specialist in that. He also cautioned people using herbs that some of the substances could affect the kidney, especially when taken in excess. TEXT AD: To advertise here . A judicious mix of both can be a good way forward. Those processes, including Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and chiropractic, have been around for much longer than modern medicine, and have been tested over hundreds and hundre… While the history of modern medicine is based in scientific research, traditional medicine uses a tried-and-tested formula to see what works and what doesn’t. The purpose of both types of medicine is to have a healthy, strong, and fit body. “Some of the leaves used for the treatment can be roasted and the powder taken with palm oil to treat cough, as well,” he said. That’s why virtually every culture in the world have embraced herbs and spices to enhance the digestibility of our food. While experts differ in their view on this subject, it is important to deduce the pros and cons of both the branches of medicine. Thus, alternative system rates over traditional medicine in the eradication of simple maladies. Americans spend an astounding thirty-four billion dollars on alternative medicine annually. Pile, which is another term for haemorrhoids, is a collection of inflamed tissues in the anal canal, containing blood vessels, support tissue, muscle, and elastic fibres. An important point to understand is that both the systems share the same objective - a healthy and safe body. He noted that some people also go for herbal medicines because of the waiting time for test results and further diagnosis before treatment. The cost that is put into developing the medicine also makes most people favor the use of alternative methods. ☛ A simple case in point is the treatment of the most common ailment prevalent the world over – headache. But this is not always true. The person affected, the environment, or the circumstances under which the disease occurred is insignificant in this system. He added that “in my village, we do not go to dispensary to treat cough; we simply go to the bush to get palm tree, scrap the back, boil it and drink. My first child had pile and we took him to the hospital and the doctors immediately recommended surgery. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Traditional Medicine recogises the importance of digestion. It is not so extreme in differences as it is grasping the reasons behind it. 2. ✔ Today, in developed countries, more than half of the population is suffering from chronic ailments. by Dr Linda Page, ND . You can sit on your couch and watch TV and see commercials for new medications at an alarming pace – and these new medications have reduced our death rates for stroke, heart disease, and cancer. “We did not have the money to foot the bills of the operation. > Why Acupuncture Is Better Than Pain Medication. Mr Abubakar explained that “the good thing about herbs and roots is that a lot of them are found free of charge around the community and are effective. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Why "natural" isn't necessarily better. Traditional medicine presents a number of advantages in comparison to modern medicine. Traditional therapy is granted a legal and valid status by responsible authorities, such as the local governments or medical associations of a country. Homeopathy is a good answer for this as many having been trying it out of late and found it … Therefore, in critical circumstances, traditional avenues are a preferred option. Founder and currently Executive Editor of Science-Based Medicine Steven Novella, MD is an academic clinical neurologist at the Yale University School of Medicine. Some concerns include: 1. The chairman noted that the board, when established, would handle training, regulations, recruitment of staff and advocacy. The great majority of Americans know only of the techno-model of medicine for three generations now. An important point to understand is that both the systems share the same objective – a healthy and safe body. He explained that “generally, herbal treatment of health challenges is cheaper, accessible and effective. To learn more about some attributes of each system, read on. Aristotle. In addition, our knowledge of the human body has improved with modern medicine. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Similarly, Yerima Abubakar, a resident of Takum, said even though he patronises orthodox medicines, he has more confidence in traditional medicines used by his forefathers before the advent of the healthcare centres. Prescription medicines and advances in medical treatment have helped people avoid disability and death caused by disease, lowered overall treatment costs, and has lowered death rates for heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other deadly diseases for several decades. Posted Saturday, January 9th, 2016 by ABA. var adx_adsvr_adspace_id="3985"; ✔ On the other hand, a simple massage therapy, meditation session, yoga, or practice of ‘tai chi’ can permanently cure headache. Traditional methods like using herbal medicine will be cheaper since they are naturally found in the environment. Mrs Joseph said she used ‘agbo’, a mixture of different roots and plants such as guava, pawpaw, lemon grass to cure several ailments, including malaria fever, pile, diabetes without any serious side effects. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. As a part of the hectic culture, we have resigned to the belief in instant results. We expect a quick relief for our suffering, without realizing the hazards of over medication. The healing of a system amounts to the alleviation of the particular disease. They listed the diseases to include Akpiti (Arthritis) and Usu, a sensation of fire inside the body that defies drugs for treatment of malaria fever and typhoid fever. var adx_custom=""; He said that the board would also ensure that the consumption of herbal medicines did not lead to health complications. The use of drugs and surgical procedures rarely helps in such cases and may adversely affect the other parts and organs. Examples of non-mainstream medicine include yoga , chiropractic medicine, meditation , and massage therapy . In Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, a user of herbs and roots, Titi Joseph, said “I prefer the local substances because they are potent, easily accessible and cheaper than the orthodox medicines sold in hospitals and pharmacies.”. He explained that “people use herbal medicines because of out-of-pocket expenses. It was in the morning, and before evening, the boy was healed. Mr Kogi also said he has the skill to set fractured bones locally, saying that “30 days is enough to heal a fractured bone, especially if it is not at the joint. The active ingredients of many herbal preparations are as yet unknown. “Neem and mahogany leaves, as well as the roots are used for the treatment of malaria and typhoid fever.”, Nyieyima Orvande, another herbal practitioner in Makurdi, said “there are various herbs that provide cure for sundry ailments. We hope you enjoy this website. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. Some complementary and alternative therapies have been reported to cause serious problems or even deaths. In Benue, a cross-section of users and practitioners of traditional medicines which include herbal and root concoctions, say they treat most of the ailments unknown to orthodox medicines with herbs and roots. These medications contain only a few instances of unintended consequences, and this emerges as the best and safer drugs to use. Its products are used in treating various ailments ranging from high blood pressure, ulcer, typhoid fever and others. Herbal medicines contain active ingredients. Some of these therapies promise wellness using a method that sounds simple, wholesome, and without harmful side effects. A cup or dosage can be sold for as low as N50; it is good and effective and works for me and my family.”. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He added that the bill would also facilitate the establishment of a Traditional Medicine Board which would help in regulating the sector to ensure that the substances used were hygienically produced, with appropriate dosage. How are integrative and traditional medicines different? ✔ However, both the systems have certain advantages over each other. According to her, the use of such herbs has been tested over the years and proven to be highly effective by those who handed down the practice to them. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Comparing traditional and alternative medicine is a subject of great scrutiny and speculation. var adx_adsvr_adspace_vAppRoot="https://ads.dochase.com/adx-dir-d/"; Traditional Medicine used to tell the story. Akodi Hoku, who lives in Jalingo, said: “herbs and roots are my options anytime any day.”. It is cheaper for people to go for herbal treatment than the orthodox one; and also, some people believe in myths.”. “If the broken bones are on the leg, the affected leg becomes shorter than the other leg, and if it is on the hand, it will not get back to normal. Whether you are looking for alternative or complimentary treatments to those offered by mainstream medical providers or are considering a career in in holistic health, it helps to understand some of the differences in Chinese medicine vs Western medicine. “If I have malaria or typhoid of sorts, I do not go to the hospital, I go and harvest some few combination of four leaves and take it for three days to get the required relief. Traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, or homeopathy are some of the practices that come under this category. This approach may adversely affect the other parts during the course of healing. Dozens upon dozens of different afflictions that would have been fatal just over a century ago are now curable. “Moringa is a wonder plant. He said “guava, pawpaw, orange and mango leaves are used for the treatment of ulcer and ‘Jedijedi’. Terngu Shom, a Makurdi resident, said he patronises traditional health practitioners because of the efficacy and cost of the drugs. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Blog. Traditional medicines are generally believed to be better than the modern medicine when it comes to cost effectiveness. Herbalism is the use of plants for medicinal purposes in order to offer individuals relief from a number of illnesses. Integrative medicine is when doctors use CAM along with traditional medicine. “She then asked me to take the child to her. A traditional medicine practitioner in Makurdi, Tyonongo Asue, said herbs and roots are very effective in treating ailments unknown to orthodox medicine. Therefore, it focuses on cleansing the entire system rather than eliminating the immediate cause of concern. Depending on the type of ailment, she said certain roots and herbs were put together for the purpose of extracting a unique liquid from the combination to cure the ailment in question. These include lifestyle changes, counseling, medication, physical therapy or surgery. She said “for instance, the popular agbo jedi is made by herbal drink hawkers and sold cheap and used for washing away excess sugar in the body. Although prescription drugs may make one feel better, the effects are short lived and fail to resolve the issue. Traditional Vs. She listed them as “Kumenduur, neer, Ikyura, Mtemben, Toho Gire, Hulugh, Kungulaku, Nornor Gbaaye, and Kpar”, among others. Call Willie +2347088095401... if (screen && screen.width > 1024){var script=document.createElement('script'); script.src='//served-by.pixfuture.com/www/delivery/headerbid.js'; script.setAttribute("slotId","20018x300x600x3423x_ADSLOT9"); script.setAttribute("refreshInterval",30); script.setAttribute("refreshTime",5); document.getElementById("20018x300x600x3423x_ADSLOT9").appendChild(script);}. Certain aspects of modern medicine are undeniably beneficial when it comes to the treatment and prevention of certain diseases. [CREDIT: Wikipedia]. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... ✔ The alternative approach is an ancient concept and varies according to person and place. Traditional healing makes use of the healing properties of many medicines found in and on the land and water to help people suffering from physical ailments, along … In fact, some of the medicines prescribed for headache have been banned in certain countries because of its harmful effects on the other organs of the body. Similarly, some of the users in Plateau said they resorted to herbal medicine to treat ailments such as typhoid fever, malaria fever and diarrhea because of their efficacy. In Taraba, many residents also say that the use of herbs is rooted in their culture, and that they usually find it readily available, affordable and effective. Delaying surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other traditional treatment by using an alternative therapy can allow the cancer to grow and spread to other parts of the body. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! ✔ Even though alternative medicine is hugely popular and practiced in large numbers, there are no regulatory bodies monitoring the system. Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Western or traditional medicine typically uses conventional therapies to help prevent and treat disease. ☛ Traditional approach focuses on the cause of the ailment. He, therefore, stressed the need for synergy to ensure that the components of the herbs were not harmful in treating different patients of the same ailments. Why Traditional Medicine Matters. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. He said “herbs also have different effects on individuals even if they have similar ailments. It comprises a wide range of procedures native to different cultures around the world. These are things freely given to us by our creator.”. Choosing between Traditional and Modern Medicine! “I am speaking based on experience. Car Manufacturing: Nigeria to build industrial parks in three states, NSCDS recovers power cables worth N5M from miscreants in Bauchi, National Arts Theatre to create over 25,000 jobs – Official, Police arrest three suspected kidnappers in Delta, Bank loses $500 million it mistakenly transferred, Protesters in Myanmar stage ‘largest rallies’ yet against junta, COVID-19: Nigeria records 869 new cases, eight more deaths, Senate moves to repeal 96-year-old Quarantine Act, Three dead as fire razes 600 homes in Borno IDP camp, Police arrest protesters for allegedly violating COVID-19 regulations, Nigeria, U.S. to lead global coalition against ISIS – ONSA, #EtiquetteWithEti: How to eat decently with others, Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005. Alternative medicine is when these approaches are used instead of traditional medicine. ☛ Another very important point of contention is the validity of the systems. Health Issues. Many patients in the North Central part of the country have turned to traditional medicines to cure the various ailments afflicting them, attributing it to high cost of orthodox medicines and their belief that orthodox medicines are inefficient. She, therefore, advised the government to sponsor more research into the use of traditional roots and herbs to increase their effectiveness for the good of mankind. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Modern medicine has prescribed hundreds of drugs for its cure. Hence, it focuses on the background, environmental, and social conditions and of course, the part affected. It considers a disease as an upset of balance between a body and its surroundings. It is entirely concerned with the organ affected and its treatment. ☛ Alternative practices consider a disease as a deviation from the normal functions of the entire system that is affected. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Traditional medicine, as we commonly know, includes modern health science, medical technology, surgery, and associated practices. Mr Tikon said “the healthcare centres are not enough to carter for the growing population and even the few ones available are not being managed well to enable them to render effective services to communities.”. Certain vitamins and minerals can increase the ri… Disclaimer: This HolisticZine article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Medical training, educational qualifications of the doctors, or the healing authority are never considered in an alternative system. The solution is long-lasting and does not incur any side effect. Herbal medicinehas been around for thousands of years, with countries from around the world discovering their own remedies, some of which are still used today. Why we prefer traditional medicine when sick – Respondents A NAN survey found that patients use roots and herbs, believing that it is the best to treat their conditions. 3. Utilising a range of natural ingredients, such as Echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginseng, and dong guai, herbalists and naturopathslook to assist those suffering from s… One of the users, Dorcas Mnguter, said that some sicknesses cannot be effectively treated using orthodox medicines. Copyright © Holisticzine & Buzzle.com, Inc. Traditional medicine involved herbs and plants which were not always effective since people still died of simple illnesses such as chickenpox or even the common cold. I do not know their English names but I know their names in Tiv language.”. Others, the survey revealed, turn to herbal remedy because of their inability to afford the “expensive” modern diagnosis and treatment. Comparing traditional and alternative medicine is a subject of great scrutiny and speculation. The facts about medicine aside, people often turn to supplements because they’re perceived as more natural than drugs, and can have fewer side effects and generally cost less. Pros: The rate at which modern medicine is advancing is astonishing. More and more, people use practices like these from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to not only fight disease, but also prevent it. Integrate techno-model with traditional medicine. Stress-related disorders, allergies, addictions, or ‘modern’ ailments, such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia have a better cure with the unconventional systems. Modern Medicine has extended our lifespan and we can now treat disease and illness with more ease. Food Matters. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. So, for example, if food is cooked, we lose some of the nutrition, but the nutrition left is … June 22, 2011. Ms Mnguter believes that once the anus is operated on, it cannot control faeces any longer and will continue to flow ceaselessly, “but such condition can easily be treated using traditional medicines at less cost. Some of them also explained that they use herbs and roots to treat certain ailments whose cure cannot be found in orthodox medicine. On the other hand, illness due to psychological factors have a better healing course in the alternative system. ☛ The biggest irony of modern times is that the number of medical discoveries or drugs are increasing at the same rate as the number of ailments. “But all these challenges are tackled with ease by traditional bone setters.”. He also said that he had been treating himself and other people for malaria fever and typhoid fever with herbs, and that the remedy had been effective. In fact, the entire system gets rejuvenated and refreshed. According to Mr Hoku, common health issues such as malaria fever and typhoid fever are difficult to cure through orthodox medicines. Out of desperation, I put a call across to my sister in-law and explained the situation to her. Aspirin can cause the lining of the stomach to bleed, b… This science is a combination of all the unconventional practices that are used to prevent, diagnose, improve, and treat any form of illness. Novella agreed that a caring, bonding practitioner … Most types of traditional medicine are spread by word of mouth within families or communities. Mr Daniel said that the bill, if signed into law, would enhance coordination, regulation and control of TCAM practice and its products. Acupuncture, which is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been in use for the past three thousand years. Whereas traditional medicine treats symptoms and problems of a certain given area, alternative medicine focuses on cause and prevention, overall health, and non-traditional, often natural treatments. When you have a fracture, you spend about six months using Plaster Of Paris (POP) in hospital, but using traditional bone setter, the fracture can be healed in one month,” he said. Traditional Chinese medicine “is seen as holistic, and when you take a certain kind of medicine you are told specifically what behavior to engage in,” she notes. Mr Asue listed some of the herbs and roots to include mahogany, banana leaves and stems, moringa leaves and seeds. Would you like to write for us? The topic over alternative medicines vs. conventional medicines is very controversial yet sheds light on new ideas that the medical field could possibly value. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. One always prefers to get the best form of medical treatment and is on the lookout for medical treatment that will cure them quickly without too many side-effects. Meanwhile, Nanbol Daniel, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Plateau House of Assembly, disclosed that a bill for Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) had already passed second reading at the state assembly. It is limited to the scientific study of an anomaly and ways to remove it. Most are ignorant of any other means of taking care of themselves except chemical medicines, but the expenses and painful outcomes are causing a slow-stirring revolt. There is no question that physicians who spend more time with patients and listen more carefully will see benefits. ☛ Alternative systems require time and may not be suitable in situations demanding immediate results. Vasant Lad, M.A.Sc. And the disappointing part is that the antibiotics are associated with a plethora of side effects. Why Acupuncture Is Better Than Pain Medication. In traditional medicine, problems associated with side effects due to the usage of pharmaceutical drugs do not arise. Practitioners of herbal medicine believe that an active ingredient can lose its impact or become less safe if used in isolation from the rest of the plant. In the orthodox medicine, these checks are done before drugs are administered, so, synergy is required to investigate the components of the herbs before they are given.”. ✔ Traditional medicine, as we commonly know, does not consider other processes while treating a disease. For example, in case of an emergency, such as a severe accident or where an urgent surgical procedure is required, conventional systems prove to be far more superior. Others are Dagi, a deep wound around the foot, believed to be a mystical infection that is not easily cured by modern drugs. “This happened at a little cost because I spent less than N1,000; till today, the boy has not experienced any pain again.”. A pragmatic and realistic view has to be taken of the place and position of TMs for the healthcare of the community by drawing a proper balance between the use of traditional medicines vs the modern drugs in specific situations. “It is cost-effective and affordable. This is what I have been using for 20 years; I do not spend money on orthodox drugs,” he said. One of them, Aminu Kogi, said he had been using herbal medicines for more than 20 years because he found them reliable, and had passed the culture onto his children. Until this day, there isn’t a satisfactory remedy for headache. “Apart from that, some people strongly believe that local bone setters are the best for the job,” Babs said. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The healer’s job, in this case, is to remove the disharmony prevailing and not the elimination of the actual ailment. ☛ The underlying principle of these systems is the same, i.e., considering the ailment as a dynamic entity of the system and ways to uproot its foundation. For instance, salicylic acid is found in the plant meadowsweet and is used to make aspirin. The main difference between traditional medicine and alternative medicine is the approach. This post is part of our forum on David H. Freedman's July/August story, "The Triumph of New Age Medicine." Some complementary approaches may not neatly fit into either of these groups—for example, the practices of traditional healers, Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, and functional medicine. Another theory in traditional Chinese medicine is that vital energy (called "qi" or "chi") flows throughout the body via certain pathways (or "meridians"). Mr Kper said “treatment of fractured bones in the hospital has some negative effects; it takes longer time and leaves some people with deformity. Another resident, Ashumate Tikon, also said traditional roots and herbs are highly curative if used properly. These cookies do not store any personal information. “When we took the boy to her, she commenced treatment immediately. var adx_size="300x250"; We must remind ourselves that a pill for every ailment is not a solution to our health problems. Alternative medicine is the collection of all the knowledge, skills, and practices based on age-old theories or experiences. Development in modern medicine has not ensured a healthy lifestyle. The focus is not on finding a cure but on suppressing the symptoms. To get a better understanding of why the African witch doctor still dominates and thrives in Tanzania and other parts of Africa, you have to understand the differences between what they do and what Western medicine does. According to this theory, disease and other emotional, mental, and physical health problems develop when the flow of … Visit our. ✔ On the other hand, illness due to psychological factors have a better healing course in the alternative system. Today many individuals live healthy a… var adx_nid="13"; All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria, Our website uses cookies. The most successful medical philosophies make no such division -- Okinawans, the world's longest-lived people, believe that the food they eat is "nuchi gusui" which roughly translates as "medicine for life." She gave me some leaves to be rubbing on it. Nowadays, medicine cannot always cure us, but it can lessen the effectiveness of our symptoms and improve our condition.

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