Traditional Medicine, Modern Medicine and Complementary Medicine

10.1 Traditional Medicine, Modern Medicine and Complementary Medicine
 
Type of medicine
 

 
Type of medicine Explanation Example
Traditional medicine A medical treatment that uses plants, animals and natural substances that are specifically applied or combined for diagnosis and treatment of disease
  • Effectivenness of the treatment is slow and takes time
  • Treatment using natural substances from plants and animals
  • Low treatment cost
  • Effectiveness proven with experience
  • Inherited and practised from generation to generation
Modern medicine The combination of the art of medicine in various field of science that relate to health science and biomedical
  • Treatment uses synthetic medicine
  • High treatment cost
  • Clinically test
  • Using modern methods such as surgery, laser treatment and radiotherapy
  • Treatment effective and fast
Complementary medicine

Various methods of health care that originates from many cultural background

  • Does not involve surgery and stitches on body
  • Considers the views of modern and traditional medical practitioners
  • Does not use medicine, drug and synthetic chemical substances
 
Example of the medicines
Traditional medicine
Medicine Uses
Aloe vera To reduce pain due to sunburn or exposure to hot objects
Ginseng To maintain good health
Ginger To relieves swelling, bodily pain and bloadtedness
Hibiscus plant To relieve headache and preventing hair loss
Quinine To make medicine for malaria

 

Modern medicine
Medicine Uses
Analgesic To relieves pain
Antibiotics To kill or inhibit the growth of infectious bacteria
Psychotherapeutic To treat psychiatric patients

 

Complementary medicine
Medicine Uses
Acupuncture To relieve pain
Chiropractic Effective for back and neck pain, joint pain, headaches and sport injuries
Traditional massage Soothes anxiety, pain, fatigue, muscle tension and nerve problems
Homeopathy To strengthen the body's immunity against infectious disease
Herbal theraphy To cure diseases
 
Man-made medicines and medicines from natural resources
Man-made medicines Medicines from natural resources
Made in the lab and commercialised for the use of consumers Derived from plants and animals
Must be taken regularly or stopped when the sickness has healed Must be taken or used continuously for a long time to be effective
Evidence of healing is based on clinical test Evidence of healing by trust and past experiences

There is risk of side effect if 

  • used without the advice of a doctor
  • the patient does not follow the correct dosage

There is a risk of side effect if

  • used without the advice of a doctor
  • the patient does not follow the correct dosage
Vitamin C as pills in pharmacies Vitamin C from fruits

 

The effect of misuse of medicine
  • Causes death
  • Causes the medication to be less effective 
  • Causes severe side effects
  • Cause addition

Traditional Medicine, Modern Medicine and Complementary Medicine

10.1 Traditional Medicine, Modern Medicine and Complementary Medicine
 
Type of medicine
 

 
Type of medicine Explanation Example
Traditional medicine A medical treatment that uses plants, animals and natural substances that are specifically applied or combined for diagnosis and treatment of disease
  • Effectivenness of the treatment is slow and takes time
  • Treatment using natural substances from plants and animals
  • Low treatment cost
  • Effectiveness proven with experience
  • Inherited and practised from generation to generation
Modern medicine The combination of the art of medicine in various field of science that relate to health science and biomedical
  • Treatment uses synthetic medicine
  • High treatment cost
  • Clinically test
  • Using modern methods such as surgery, laser treatment and radiotherapy
  • Treatment effective and fast
Complementary medicine

Various methods of health care that originates from many cultural background

  • Does not involve surgery and stitches on body
  • Considers the views of modern and traditional medical practitioners
  • Does not use medicine, drug and synthetic chemical substances
 
Example of the medicines
Traditional medicine
Medicine Uses
Aloe vera To reduce pain due to sunburn or exposure to hot objects
Ginseng To maintain good health
Ginger To relieves swelling, bodily pain and bloadtedness
Hibiscus plant To relieve headache and preventing hair loss
Quinine To make medicine for malaria

 

Modern medicine
Medicine Uses
Analgesic To relieves pain
Antibiotics To kill or inhibit the growth of infectious bacteria
Psychotherapeutic To treat psychiatric patients

 

Complementary medicine
Medicine Uses
Acupuncture To relieve pain
Chiropractic Effective for back and neck pain, joint pain, headaches and sport injuries
Traditional massage Soothes anxiety, pain, fatigue, muscle tension and nerve problems
Homeopathy To strengthen the body's immunity against infectious disease
Herbal theraphy To cure diseases
 
Man-made medicines and medicines from natural resources
Man-made medicines Medicines from natural resources
Made in the lab and commercialised for the use of consumers Derived from plants and animals
Must be taken regularly or stopped when the sickness has healed Must be taken or used continuously for a long time to be effective
Evidence of healing is based on clinical test Evidence of healing by trust and past experiences

There is risk of side effect if 

  • used without the advice of a doctor
  • the patient does not follow the correct dosage

There is a risk of side effect if

  • used without the advice of a doctor
  • the patient does not follow the correct dosage
Vitamin C as pills in pharmacies Vitamin C from fruits

 

The effect of misuse of medicine
  • Causes death
  • Causes the medication to be less effective 
  • Causes severe side effects
  • Cause addition