Alternative and Traditional Healing

Abstract

(from the chapter) Traditional medicine refers to a wide range of practices, from herbal treatments to spiritualism. The use of traditional medicine is a subject of controversy around the world, due to few promising results of the research in the area compared with the outcomes associated with the use of evidence-based medicine. This brings even more controversy in the context of diseases for which allopathic medicine has no cure, such as HIV/AIDS. According to the UNAIDS Global Report 2010, new HIV infections are declining (2.6 million people in 2009, comparing to 3.1 million people in 1999), due to antiretroviral therapy and to HIV prevention education. However, in low developed and poor countries like South Africa, the availability of antiretroviral therapy is low. In addition, the use of antiretroviral therapy is expensive and it requires an expensive medical infrastructure that not mainly countries can afford to implement. Antiretroviral therapy may have significant side effects such as diabetes, heart attack, and bone mass conditions and for some individuals does not produce a significant benefit. Some studies have found that traditional medicine has been helpful in treating some HIV-related conditions and in controlling side effects of the antiretroviral therapy, prompting some patients to turn to traditional medicine. Finally, cultural and traditional beliefs about the positive effects of traditional medicine may lead people to use it; studies have shown that almost 70-80% of people from South Africa utilize the services of a traditional healer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved)