Introduction to traditional medicines

The use of traditional medicines has become increasingly popular, and has spread from the originating countries in Asia, Africa and elsewhere to be used globally often by people who know little about its origins. It has been estimated that 80% of the population in developing countries are still dependent on traditional systems of medicine for primary health care. However in some developed countries, traditional medicine treatments, such as herbal medicines, acupuncture, massage therapy, are used as complementary health care, often alongside western orthodox medicine.

The most widely available traditional medicines in the UK are European/Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, though other traditions such as Tibetan medicine can also be found. Traditional medicines all have their own philosophy, method of diagnosis and treatments. A considerable number of plants have been reported to have medicinal properties – over 5,000 used in China, 2,500 in India, 800 in Africa, and 300 in European traditions. Medicinal herbs may be used singly, but more commonly are used as complex herbal combinations taken as teas, decoctions, extracts, tinctures, powers or pills.

Traditional herbal medicines are usually prescribed after a one-to-one consultation with a trained herbal practitioner. Relatively few are suitable for self-prescription. There are many highly qualified professional traditional herbal practitioners in the UK. However they are difficult to identify as there is no single registration scheme for herbal practitioners. A few of the professional organisations may be found under ‘Useful links’. Quality of care can vary as there are no minimum training requirements and practitioners do not have to demonstrate professional competence. The herbs and herbal products they supply are also unregulated.

These pages provide a simple introduction to Chinese, Ayurvedic and European herbal medicine and some guidelines to consider before consulting an herbal practitioner.