If you name something, you control its meaning
We often overlook the power of names and how they influence our very thoughts and feelings. This is why different cultures have differing names for same things, pointing to their history and often highlighting the characteristics most important to them. Through Etymology, we can track the history and evolution of a name over the years. Are new names, once chosen democratically through the public forum, now chosen and defined by dictionaries and encyclopaedias?
Great and terrible deeds can be done and undone with the stroke of a pen. What are now Native Americans were once Savages, what was once a Rebellion becomes a Liberation, and what was once Widespread becomes Alternative. While many changes certainly happen organically, I suggest there are often deliberate attempts to influence public opinion and perception. Perhaps a desire to undermine the Natural Medicines we have used for thousands of years in light of a new version driven not by altruism, but by profit.
In this article
What is Alternative Medicine?
Let’s start by asking the ultimate authority on all things known and unknown, Wikipedia, about Alternative Medicine.
As you can see, Alternative Medicine is the name given to the types of medicine used by humanity for 99.97% of its existence. Alternative… sure. As I said, there’s power in a name, so I’m going to immediately stop calling it Alternative Medicine and refer to this vast collection of healing modalities as Natural Medicines from here on in. For the sake of clarity, I’ll refer to the new pharmaceutical-based type of medicine as Profligate Medicines.
I know Wikipedia is an atrocious source, but I find the sentiments expressed here are echoed by so many people I talk to about Natural Medicines; therefore, I feel they should really be addressed.
Humanity is Amazing
I suggest we begin by taking hubris out of the question and stop assuming that humanity, as an entire species, for hundreds of thousands of years, failed to notice or even care whether their chosen healing methods were safe or effective. This kind of talk only furthers the god complex unflatteringly attributed to modern doctors, and belittles the abilities and achievements of our ancestors.
It makes it sound like we arrived at the 20th century through sheer dumb luck. Forget what you thought of human achievement, trial and error, adaptation, intuitive learning, and advanced development unique to our species.
The Birth of Modern Medicine
In the early 20th Century, John D. Rockefeller simultaneously attacked Natural Medicines and created modern pharmaceutical-based medicine as we know it today. Natural medicines were now expected to satisfy the criteria of the newly created system (the scientific method) in order to prove their efficacy and, unsurprisingly, they’re shown to be ‘lacking testability, repeatability, and effectiveness’.
The Age of Tests
Testing often appears to be misunderstood and underestimated in equal measure. When a test is conducted, there are limitations to what the test can show and you’ll therefore only ever find what the test is looking for. Many of us have this concept of simple lab tests or a single machine being able to accurately determine everything under the sun. We tend to think of science as infallible and capable of pinpoint accuracy, which it may very well be some of the time, but certainly not all of the time.
By using tests designed for an entirely different field of medicine and applying them to Natural Medicines, it seems rather like setting them up to fail. A great deal of harm can be done through a poorly designed test and so very much can be achieved with a cleverly designed one!
There’s also the giant repeatability elephant in the room of Profligate Medicines, as scientists are unable to recreate the results of studies in the majority of cases, thus making a mockery of the scientific method. Furthermore, these non-replicable studies are cited more frequently, leading to even more bad science down the line. So much for repeatability, scientific methods, and evidence-based medicine.
Obligatory Disclaimer Time
I'm not a doctor, this is not medical advice, and I must say I’m not 100% against Modern Medicines; I absolutely see its value in specific cases. For example, If I get a piece of glass in my eye, then I’m going to a hospital and not the local shaman. However, I see it as reactionary only, highly effective at controlling acute, traumatic injuries and illnesses. Profligate Medicines excel at keeping you from death’s door, and they're just as good at keeping you profitably close to it. Robert Mendelsohn sums it up pretty nicely.
Alternative Names
Alternative Medicines also go by other names, such as Complimentary and Unconventional Medicine, implying they’re either secondary or unusual. This is, unfortunately, the truth of the matter as it currently stands. Organisations like Wikipedia wilfully disseminate sub-standard information on Natural Medicines, and both national and global bodies continue to impose ever-tighter restrictions and regulations. Thankfully, this is not always the case, with some countries coming to recognise the value these ‘alternative’ medicines can offer.
A Return to Natural Ways
This is reflected by the growing number of people turning to Natural Medicines for treatment, many of them having been failed by the profligate medical establishment and now seek a solution elsewhere. It’s not hard to see why - over the past 100 years, we’ve invested trillions in research, alongside major advances in technology, medical science, and Profligate Medicines, only to watch a constant increase in cancers, cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, autoimmune disease etc.
It's no wonder people are becoming disillusioned with the pill-for-everything culture of Profligate Medicines and seek a more holistic approach. We harnessed nature by isolating ‘active’ compounds, which we’ve then used to create the vast majority of our drugs, but we’ve failed to notice what is lost in the isolation process. Now we’ve finally advanced to the level of our ancestors and are slowly adopting a systems approach to our work, daily life, and finally our health.
Nature Knows Best
With not a day going by without a new deadly disease spreading through the media, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a miracle we’re all still alive and still somehow growing in number.
One thing is for sure - Nature hasn’t been deceived by the Alternative name, with the same natural remedies continuing to work as well now as they did 10,000 years ago. What nature does seem to find Unconventional are the Profligate Medicine alternatives, which it promptly responds to by adapting and developing resistances. We’re seeing the same happen with our bodies - the more we try to ‘hack’ them, the more we seemingly suffer from autoimmune diseases; our bodies appear to be rejecting our attempts to artificially influence them.
There’s much insistence these days of being super progressive and forward-thinking, and this can be highly transformative, or unintentionally limiting. To be where we are now, we stand on the shoulders of giants, not idiots. History must be learned from, not just so we don’t repeat the same mistakes, but to grant us the ability to repeat what worked before. The way forward is not always linear, and sometimes we must go back in order to make progress.
The power of names has been used to alter our perception of Natural Medicines, and we must be awake to the use of names and labels to influence our thoughts and actions. Tradition can be both outdated and reliable, novel can be both exciting and unpredictable. By choosing our names and deciding upon our own definitions, we regain control of the words which shape our reality.
FAQs
10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best Alternative Medicines?
This depends on what type of treatment you require. In general, I would say food is the best Natural Medicine, though that may sound odd. We must understand that we consume on a daily basis shapes every aspect of our lives, be that food, drink, or media.
2. What does CAM stand for?
Complimentary & Alternative Medicines, namely the Natural Medicines used throughout Humanity's long history. Find out more about these types of medicines on the Natural Healing page.
3. Are Alternative Medicines safe?
There are simply too many Natural Medicines to answer this with a simple yes or no. It could be argued they are generally safer than Profligate Medicines and their associated laundry lists of side-effects. It really is a case-by-case basis, however, and due diligence and personal research is always encouraged. Take back responsibility for your health.
4. Why do people use Alternative Medicines?
They are often disillusioned with Profligate Medicines and seek more natural and holistic alternatives. People may believe Alternative Medicines, having been practiced for thousands of years, have something to offer them. Alternative Medicines are often viewed as safer and more natural options, as opposed to the harsh nature of Modern drugs and chemical cocktails.
5. Is Alternative Medicine effective?
This depends entirely on the type of medicine and the situation. Someone without asthma wouldn't benefit from an inhaler, but does that mean the inhaler isn't effective? An effective practitioner of Alternative Medicine will find the most effective treatment for the specific person and situation.
6. Do doctors use Alternative Medicines?
Less so in the West than the East, but there is an increase in doctors prescribing what are considered to be Alternative Medicines. Some of the more common types include acupuncture and thermal baths.
7. What are the benefits of Alternative Medicines?
Whilst Profligate Medicines are often strong, harsh, and uncompromising, Natural Medicines can be gentle, comforting, and work with the body rather than against it. For example, modern cough medicine is designed to stop you coughing, whereas a natural remedy will encourage you to cough. The former seeks to cure a symptom through inhibiting natural processes, the latter understands the body's needs and gives it tools to work with.
8. Examples of Alternative Medicines?
Reiki, Herbalism, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to name but a few. There are many types from all over the world using vastly different methods and materials. Find out more by visiting the Natural Healing page
9. Why do you refer to Modern Medicines as Profligate Medicines?
I believe the term Profligate Medicines better describes the consumeristic, reckless, and immoral attributes ingrained so deeply in Modern Medicines.
10. Can Natural Medicines be used incorrectly?
Absolutely, which is why you should conduct personal research and learn as much as you can about your own health and the healing modalities you're interested in. Unfortunately, many Natural Health practitioners operate in a similar way to Profligate Medical practitioners, focusing on curing symptoms and failing to address a person holistically. To find out more about healing holistically, visit the natural healing page or the holistic healing advice page.
Looking for nutrition and dietary advice?
Get in touch with Adam Pike
Nutrition, Herbalism, Ayurveda, Reiki
Holistic Healer & Health Consultant | Director of Spiritual England
100% couldn't agree more. Language use and choice can make all the difference in perception and experience.