The alternative and complementary medicine
industry in Australia is growing at a rapid rate. It is currently
estimated that the market is worth over one billion dollars, with
more than 20% of that market being herbal medicine and related products.
In Australia, as well as overseas, this market appears to be growing
at about 30% per year.
The rapid growth is largely due to a growing demand from the public,
with reportedly more than 50% of Australians using herbal or complementary
medicines. One reason for this growth is a strong desire from people
to take greater control of their own health and well being. This
can be achieved through consultation with an appropriately trained
practitioner and through methods such as improving nutrition, or
changes in lifestyle techniques such as increasing exercise and
reducing stress. Another reason is the perceived or real need to
avoid the unwanted side effects of conventional medical drugs.
What is alternative and complementary medicine?
Many terms have been used for this growing field of medicine.
Natural therapies, holistic medicine, naturopathy, complementary
medicine and alternative therapies are some of the terms
which have been used to describe the broad range of modalities incorporated
in this field, the more prominent of which are herbal medicine,
nutrition, massage and homeopathy. Within each of these fields there
are further different forms. For example with herbal medicine there
is western herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda,
each with its own particular philosophy and treatment regime. Forms
of massage include reflexology, shiatsu, Reiki and the Bowen and
Alexander techniques. Other forms of treatment include acupuncture,
iridology, Bach flowers, aromatherapy and gem therapy.
The term alternative and complementary medicine (ACM) has
been picked up by some of the newer institutions, and is looked
upon more favorably by the more conventional scientific and medical
profession.
Western Herbal Medicine
In Australia, western herbal medicine is one of the most popular
forms of ACM. There are many colleges throughout Australia teaching
comprehensive courses in western herbal medicine. The National Herbalists
Association of Australia (NHAA) was founded in 1920 and is the national
body for practising herbalists. The NHAA has a minimum required
standard for full practising members and accredits only those courses
which meet those minimum requirements. There are currently twelve
colleges in Australia with fully accredited courses. Another four
are presently under review.
An accredited course in herbal medicine requires a minimum of 700
hours of study in herbal medicine and medical sciences. Many courses
also require additional study in areas such as nutrition, counselling,
iridology and massage.
The majority of courses in herbal medicine are currently conducted
through private colleges although recently, degree courses have
been implemented in several of the universities in Australia.
Western herbal medicine incorporates a relatively traditional philosophy
of treatment, maintaining scientific and medical terms consistent
with conventional western medical practice. However the fundamental
difference between ACM and conventional medicine is treatment of
the overall person, not the disease. For example, an ‘allergy’
is not a disease, but rather a symptom of a physiological imbalance
which is treated from many different aspects included improving
the immune system. Diseases of the skin are not just treated with
topical agents, but are treated internally with ‘detoxifying’
or ‘cleansing’ agents for areas such as the liver and
bowel. Specific herbs are used for treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome,
however discussion of dietary and lifestyle factors is always included.
Herbal medicines are primarily whole extracts of plant material
rather than extracts of an isolated constituent as with orthodox
drugs. The additional constituents in the plant temper the action
of some of the stronger isolates (such as alkaloids or glycosides),
avoiding unwanted side effects within the body while not detracting
from their efficiency.
Most herbal medicines used by practitioners are in the form of
liquid concentrated extracts. Herbal practitioners in Australia
can practice as prime contact therapists and can dispense their
own medicines.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM has existed in Australia since the influx of Chinese migrants
to the gold fields over 100 years ago. Although some herbs are common
to both TCM and western herbal practitioners, most are different
and need to be imported from overseas.
TCM philosophy is based on the yin/yang principle of balancing
and harmonising conditions within the body. Most TCM herbs are dispersed
as dried chopped herbs and need to be prepared by the patient.
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurveda is defined as the science of life. The word is derived
from Sanskrit roots, ayus meaning life, and veda meaning
knowledge or sciences. Its teachings date back to at least 5000
BC. Today the system is very much alive in India and its influence
has spread to the rest of the world. Ayurvedic herbs and foods are
categorised according to energetic qualities, which in turn can
be matched to each individual’s constitution.
Although there are few purely Ayurvedic practitioners in Australia,
many herbal practitioners incorporate some Ayurvedic principles
and herbs into their practice.
The success of Herbal Medicine
The complex and individual nature of each person’s health,
or lack of health, and the need for very personalised and individual
forms of treatment, is one of the reasons for the efficacy of the
practice of herbal medicine. A recent conference for General Practitioners
in Australia reflected an awareness by the medical professions of
the increasing popularity of ACM. The conference was titled Emerging
medicine strategies for integrating orthodox and complementary health
care. Their promotional material stated:
"…patients are now more concerned with health management
and an orientation towards wellness. How will this affect your business?
GPs need to acquaint themselves with other therapeutic approaches
and integrate various ethical non-pharmaceutical modalities into
their clinical practice."
The Future of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in
Australia
The growing trend towards this form of medicine in Australia has
led to many positive changes over the last few years, particularly
in the field of herbal medicine.
Quality and Safety
To ensure the quality and safety of medicines in Australia, the
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of the Government has established
a Complementary Medicines Evaluation Committee (CMEC) to make recommendations
a safety, quality and efficacy of herbal substances which are required
to be listed or registered with the TGA. Herbal remedies are considered
by the TGA to be ‘reasonably safe with less adverse reactions
than conventional pharmaceutical treatments’.
Research
There are many institutions world-wide carrying out research into
the use of herbal medicines. In Australia investigations are being
made into the use of traditional medicines, including Australian
aboriginal medicine, as a source of new pharmaceuticals. Sydney
University has established the Herbal Medicines Research and Education
Centre (HMREC) to ‘promote high quality scholarship and research
excellence in herbal medicines through teaching, research and international
linkages’.
Australia is one of the leading countries in the world in regard
to practice and teaching of alternative and complementary medicine.
The standard of education and practice of ACM is as high as any
in the world. Australia is at the forefront of continuing to raise
these standards to a professional and academic level recognised
and respected by the Australian public, the scientific and medical
community, and by the world at large.
Author: Anne Cowper DBM MNHAA, Secretary, National Herbalists
Association of Australia
This article first appeared in TransWorld Education
