The different and most common types of alternative medicines are herbal medicines, chiropractic, acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage therapy. Herbal medicines entail the use of herbs to cure diseases such as diabetes, kidney problems, and heart disease; and at the same time aid in detoxification through the use of aloe Vera, tea and other detoxifying herbs. Herbal medicines have also claimed to help lose weight in a natural way. Another popular type of alternative medicine is chiropractic, which focuses on spine-related problems. It primarily involves in manipulating the spine and other soft tissues in the body. It revolves around the thought of the body being able to heal by itself. The third type of alternative medicine which is acupuncture involves the use of needles or needlelike objects to relieve stress, body pain and other body disorders. On the other hand, aromatherapy uses scent or essential oils to aid in detoxification and clear up the circulatory system and lymph nodes. This is commonly used side by side with massage therapy.

Despite the popularity that alternative medicine has gained and being widely used, it has raised a lot of controversies. The following has been the disadvantages that have been pointed out on alternative medicine.

• Safety and effectiveness

Since alternative medicine has not been regulated by the food and drug authorities, the issue of safety is always brought in question. A lot of medical practitioners insist on testing its efficacy as well. Different researches, have given various results in terms of its safety and efficacy. Others prove it to be effective while some find it aggravating.

• Side- effects

One main concern often pointed out on the use of alternative medicine is that its side-effects cannot usually be determined in a short time but may take some time for it to be manifested.

• Abuse in usage

In comparison to the most conventional medicine that requires a prescription; alternative medicine does not need any. Anyone can buy different amounts with no specific dosage being indicated. Anyone, with an addictive behavior can overuse this type of medicine.

• Components may cause allergic reactions.

Due to the lack of regulation being provided in alternative medicine, the ingredients in one medicine can be overlooked, which might cause allergic reactions if one is allergic to any component.

• Lack of Information Dissemination

It has been a common practice that alternative medicine is often used alongside with conventional medicine without the knowledge of the licensed physician. This can be very dangerous since some components in a certain medicine can be harmful when used with another medicine. The physician is often uninformed, which can detriment a patient’s medical condition.

However, different arguments have been brought up to support alternative medicine. The following has been reasoned out:

• Availability

Alternative medicine can be found everywhere without the hassle of a prescription. It can even be found in one’s backyard in terms of herbal medication.

• Cheaper alternative

Pharmaceutical companies levy huge prices on their medication which makes it less accessible and the lesser option.

• It’s the natural way.

It has been argued that alternative medicine is, in the least, harmful since it is harmonious to nature’s way of healing by using natural remedies.

• Holistic approach to medicine

One approach that has often been neglected by conventional medicine is that it does not encompass the mind, body and spirit in its treatment. This holistic approach is being used by alternative medicines, which make it more gratifying.

So who holds the cure? Well, both medicines offer diverse setbacks and benefits, which are mainly dependent on a consumer’s awareness and convenience.

This research and studies on new medicines cover the marine life under the ocean up to the wild herbal plants in the rainforest. Some other pharmaceutical laboratories such as Pfizer spend millions of dollars to invest on new technologies and creations of new medicines. That is why a government-funded survey shows that 90% of top-selling medicines are Pfizer-made. Today, there are over 2900 new medicines that are spread over FDA for review and undergoing clinical trials; although, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has not yet verified this information.

Based on the new released report by PhRMA, there are about 861 medicines to treat cancer patients that are under development. 122 of those are for lung cancer and 107 are for breast cancer; the rest is for other types of cancer. There are about 97 medicines and vaccines being tested today by pharmaceutical researchers for treatment of HIV/AIDS, as well as other related conditions. About 183 new medicines for diabetic patients are now also under study. There are 300 medicines for mental health disorder as well as 547 new neurological medicines in development to cure almost 60 million American adults with said disorders. Also, there are 219 medicines for children’s special healthcare needs and about 1000 medicines for a cure to diseases that only affect women. Some biotechnology researchers are also developing around 633 biotech medicines, which include 254 for cancer, about 162 for diseases that are infectious, about 34 for HIV/AIDS, about 25 for Heart and cardiovascular diseases, about 19 for diabetes, and autoimmune diseases with 59. And lastly, there are more or less 300 under development medicines for rare diseases.

However, before these new medicines will be released to the local pharmacy, there are still series of clinical trials to be conducted to the new medicines to determine if it could pass the standards and safe enough to be taken by patients. The research and development of new medicines undergoes a process to which the medical and pharmaceutical communities follow. This is being subdivided into phases:

Phase I: Trials with healthy volunteers

With this trial, the medicine is being studied for its safety and its interaction to a healthy body, considering the concentration and duration inside the body, particularly in the blood. It will be given at different dosages. This trial will show whether the medicine can cause an adverse effect to the body when other medicines are taken at the same time.

Phase II: Trials with a patient with the disease to treat

Using this trial, the researcher will be able to know if the medicine is effective or not and at what particular dosage it is best, in effect. This is also a phase where researchers observe whether the medicine can also cure other diseases.

Phase III: Large scale trial

In this trial, utmost safety and efficiency is needed. Most of the time, representatives from Food and Drug Authority (FDA) are present in the testing. When the testing is successful, the FDA agents may then approve that the medicine is good and can now be available to patients.

Phase IV: Trials for other uses

Even after the medicine is approved, the research can still continue to look for other uses of the medicine to other illnesses.

In our search for a seemingly perfect world, we will do everything to rid ourselves from suffering due to diseases and illnesses. The effort to develop the next generation of medicines will continue as long as these diseases will not be treated. Therefore, it is only up to us humans to, never stop exploring.