Complementary and
Alternative Therapies
Asma Ghulam Mustafa
Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Lahore
Introduction
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to a variety of
medical treatments and healing practices that are different from
conventional medicine.
• These approaches focus on natural healing, the body's self-repair
abilities, and holistic well-being.
• CAM is a broad domain of healing resources that includes various
health systems, modalities, and practices, along with their underlying
theories and beliefs.
Philosophy of CAM
CAM is based on several key principles that differentiate it from conventional medicine:
(i) Holistic Approach
• Treats the whole person: mind, body, and spirit: rather than just symptoms or diseases.
• Focuses on lifestyle, mental well-being, and emotional health.
(ii) Natural Healing & Self-Healing
• Believes that the body has the ability to heal itself when given the right conditions.
• Uses natural remedies, such as herbs, essential oils, and acupuncture, to stimulate healing.
(iii) Individualized Treatment
• Each person is unique, and treatment should be tailored to their specific needs and health conditions.
• Unlike conventional medicine, which often follows standardized treatment protocols, CAM considers factors
like diet, stress levels, and personal preferences.
(iv) Prevention Over Treatment
• Focuses on maintaining good health and preventing diseases rather than just treating them after they occur.
• Encourages healthy diets, meditation, yoga, and stress management as preventive measures.
(v) Energy Balance & Harmony
• Many CAM therapies (e.g., acupuncture, Reiki, Ayurveda) believe in the concept of energy flow in the body.
• Imbalance in energy (Qi, Prana, or Life Force) is thought to cause disease, so therapies aim to restore
Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine
Herbalism
The practice of using plants and their extracts for medicinal purposes.
Many modern drugs originated from medicinal plants, such as:
• Morphine (Opium poppy): Pain relief
• Digitoxin (Foxglove): Heart diseases
• Quinine (Cinchona tree): Malaria treatment
• Taxol (Pacific yew): Cancer treatment
• Antibiotics (e.g., Penicillin from fungi)
The Chinese Herbal Formula System
Chinese herbalists rarely use single herbs; they create formulas with
specific roles:
• Chief Herb – Main therapeutic action
• Deputy Herb – Assists the chief herb
• Assistant Herb – Balances and supports the main ingredients
• Envoy Herb – Harmonizes and enhances overall effectiveness
Homeopathy
Homeopathy
Principles of homeopathy
Homeopathy is a distinct system of medicine based on two key principles:
• Law of Similars ("Like Cures Like") – A substance that produces symptoms in
a healthy person can be used to treat similar symptoms in an ill person.
• Law of Infinitesimals – The more a substance is diluted, the more potent it
becomes. Homeopaths use highly diluted substances from botanical, animal,
and mineral sources, believing they stimulate the body's natural healing
process.
How Dilution Levels Are Written?
Homeopathy uses labels like:
• "X" scale (Decimal scale): 1 part substance + 9 parts water/alcohol = 1X
• "C" scale (Centesimal scale): 1 part substance + 99 parts water/alcohol = 1C
• "M" scale: much higher dilutions (like 1000C)
Examples:
• 6X = diluted 6 times, each time 1 part in 9
• 30C = diluted 30 times, each time 1 part in 99
Homeopathy
Common Uses
Homeopathy is often used for chronic conditions such as allergies,
arthritis, asthma, colitis, headaches, and hormonal imbalances. However,
practitioners acknowledge the role of conventional medicine for severe
infections and emergencies.
Examples of Homeopathic Remedies
• Arnica montana – Used for bruises, muscle pain, and sports injuries.
• Allium cepa (Red Onion) – Treats colds, allergies, and hay fever.
• Apis (Bee-derived) – Used for inflammation, insect bites, and tonsillitis.
• Arsenicum album (White Arsenic) – Helps with diarrhea and food
poisoning.
• Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) – Used for fevers and
throbbing headaches.
• Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy) – Treats sprains, strains, and arthritis
pain.
• Urtica urens (Stinging Nettle) – Used for hives and itching.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
• It is based on the idea that health is maintained through balance and harmony in
the body.
Yin and Yang Harmony
• Yin and Yang represent opposing but complementary forces in nature (e.g.,
cold/hot, passive/active).
• Health is achieved when Yin and Yang are balanced.
Five Elements (Phases) Theory
• In Traditional Chinese Medicine, people believe that everything in nature
including our body is made up of five basic elements, and each element is
connected to different organs, emotions, seasons, and senses :
⚪Fire(Heart & Small Intestine) 🌍 Earth (Spleen & Stomach) ⚪ Metal (Lungs &
Large Intestine) 💧 Water (Kidneys & Bladder) 🌳 Wood (Liver & Gallbladder)
Five Vital Substances
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the body needs five important substances to stay
alive, healthy, and strong.
• Qi (energy/life force): Flows through meridians (energy channels) to maintain
health.
• Jing (essence): Determines growth, development, and longevity.
• Shen (spirit/mind): Controls emotions and mental health.
• Blood: Nourishes the body and supports Qi.
Acupuncture
Diagnosis in Acupuncture
Acupuncturists use a combination of Western and Eastern diagnostic methods, including:
• Pulse Diagnosis: Feeling the pulse in both wrists to assess energy flow.
• Tongue Examination: Checking color, coating, and shape for signs of imbalance.
• Abdominal & Acupoint Palpation: Pressing specific areas to detect energy blockages.
Therapeutic Goal and Techniques of Acupuncture
The main goal of acupuncture is to regulate Qi (energy flow) in the body by
stimulating specific points along meridian pathways. Each meridian is linked to a particular
organ system, and its stimulation helps restore balance and health.
Methods of Stimulation
1. Needles: Inserted at acupoints to influence Qi flow.
2. Cupping: Creates suction using glass cups to stimulate circulation.
3. Moxibustion: Burns dried mugwort leaves (MOXA) on or near acupoints to generate
warmth.
4. Massage: Includes T’ui-na (Chinese Push, pull, knead) and Shiatsu (Japanese Finger
pressure) techniques.
5. Laser Light: Non-invasive stimulation of acupoints.
6. Electrical Stimulation: Applied to needles or directly on acupoints for enhanced
therapeutic effects.
Acupuncture
Needle Characteristics
• Size: Very fine, with a diameter of 0.12–0.34 mm.
• Insertion: Usually 0.1–0.4 inches deep, depending on the condition
and acupuncture style.
• Number of Needles: Typically 5–15 per session.
Needle Materials & Modern Use
• Traditionally made from bronze, gold, silver, copper, tin, or bamboo.
• Today, most are sterile, single-use stainless-steel needles, ensuring
safety.
Risk Prevention
• Properly trained practitioners minimize risks.
• Using sterile disposable needles prevents infections.
• Mishandling could cause organ puncture, infections, spinal cord injury,
or hematoma, but these are very rare.
Cupping
Moxibustion
Electrical Stimulation
Acupressure
Acupressure is a traditional healing technique based on the same
principles as acupuncture but uses manual pressure instead of needles
to stimulate specific points on the body. It is rooted in Traditional
Chinese Medicine and aims to balance the body's energy flow, known as
Qi (Chi), through meridian pathways connected to various organs.
Principles & Mechanism
• Meridian Theory: The body has 12 primary meridians that correspond
to organ systems, and acupressure points along these meridians help
regulate energy flow.
• Yin-Yang Balance: Health is maintained by balancing opposing forces
(Yin and Yang); blockages in Qi can cause illness.
• Five Elements Theory: The body's energy aligns with fire, earth, metal,
water, and wood, influencing organ health and emotional well-being.
Techniques of Acupressure
• Finger Pressure: Applying firm but gentle pressure using fingers,
palms, elbows, or special tools.
• Massage: Rhythmic pressing and kneading to stimulate circulation.
Acupressure points
LI-4 (Hegu): Large PC-6 (Neiguan) : ST-36 (Zusanli): LV-3 (Taichong): Liver 3 GV-20 (Baihui):
Intestine 4 Pericardium 6 Stomach 36 Location: Between the Governing Vessel 20
Location: Between the Location: Three finger- Location: Four finger- first and second toes, Location: Top of the
thumb and index finger. widths below the wrist, widths below the two finger-widths head, at the center of
Uses: Relieves between the two kneecap, one finger- above where they an imaginary line
headaches, stress, facial tendons. width to the outside of meet. connecting the ears.
pain, toothache, and Uses: Helps with the shinbone. Uses: Relieves stress, Uses: Enhances mental
sinus congestion; nausea, motion Uses: Improves anger, headaches, high clarity, relieves
boosts immunity. sickness, anxiety, heart digestion, energy levels, blood pressure, and headaches, stress,
🚨 Avoid in pregnancy palpitations, and immunity, and relieves digestive issues. dizziness, and improves
(may induce labor). insomnia. fatigue and stress. focus.
Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Flower Remedies
The 38 Original Remedies
• They are grouped into 7 emotional categories:
Emotional Category Examples of Remedies
Fear Mimulus (known fears), Rock Rose
(panic)
Uncertainty Cerato (self-doubt), Scleranthus
(indecision)
Insufficient interest in present Clematis (daydreaming), Mustard
(deep gloom)
Loneliness Impatiens, Heather
Oversensitivity to influence Centaury, Walnut
Despondency & despair Larch (lack of confidence), Pine (guilt)
Over-care for others Vervain, Chicory
Bach Flower Remedies
Most Popular: Rescue Remedy
• A blend of 5 flowers (Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis,
Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum)
• Used for emergencies, shock, panic, and stress
• Available in drops, sprays, pastilles, creams
How Remedies Are Used
• Usually taken as drops under the tongue or diluted in
water
• Can be applied on the skin, added to bathwater, or
sprayed in rooms
• Custom mixes can be made (up to 7 remedies
combined) to fit an individual’s emotional state
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
Mechanism of Action
• The sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than other senses.
• Inhaled essential oils activate receptors in the nasal cavity.
• Signals travel via the olfactory bulb to the limbic system, which controls Memory,
Emotions, Sexual arousal.
Therapeutic Uses of Essential Oils
• Respiratory Relief: Inhaled volatile oils of Pine, thyme, peppermint, eucalyptus for
bronchitis & sinusitis.
• First-Aid: Lavender for burns, tea tree for infections.
• Muscle Relaxation: Rosemary, sage for massage therapy.
• Pain Relief: Topically applied Wintergreen oil (contains Methyl Salicylate, an aspirin-
like analgesic).
Safety Precautions
• Use only in low doses: Essential oils are highly concentrated and contain potent
chemical compounds (terpenes, aldehydes, ketones, esters).
• Never ingest concentrated essential oils, as they can be toxic.
• Only use diluted forms in topical applications or inhalation.
Reflexology
Reflexology
• Law of Reflex Zone Correspondence
This principle states that each reflex point on the feet, hands, or
ears has a precise correspondence with a specific organ or body
system; applying pressure to that point influences the health of the
corresponding area.
• Law of Energy Balance
Reflexology posits that unblocked, harmonious energy flow through
the reflex zones underpins health; disruptions manifest as pain,
tension, or dysfunction, which reflexology seeks to clear.
• Law of Zone Therapy
Also known as zone therapy, this law organizes the body into ten
longitudinal zones; pressure applied within a zone affects all
structures within that zone, reinforcing the concept of systemic
interconnectedness.
• Law of Stimulation for Homeostasis
By stimulating reflex points, reflexology provokes a nervous system
response that triggers the release of endorphins and other
regulatory chemicals, guiding the body back to homeostasis.
References
• Remington, J. P. (2006). Remington: the science and practice of
pharmacy (Vol. 1). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Winfield, A. J., Rees, J., & Smith, I. (Eds.). (2009). Pharmaceutical
practice e-book. Elsevier health sciences.
