Herbal medicines are mixtures of more than one active ingredient. The multitude
of pharmacologically active compounds obviously increases the likelihood of
interactions taking place. Hence, the likelihood of herb–drug interactions is
theoretically higher than drug–drug interactions, if only because synthetic drugs

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published and unpublished research
investigating the prevalence of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TMCAM) use in the general
population. Results found that use of a traditional and/or faith healer seemed to have decreased over the past 13 years

T
Key points:
WHO Traditional Medicine
Strategy 2002–2005
raditional, complementary and alternative
medicine attract the full spectrum of
reactions — from uncritical enthusiasm to
uninformed scepticism. Yet use of traditional
medicine (TM) remains widespread in
developing countries, while use of complementary

Traditional medicine (TM) is an important and often underestimated part of
health services. In some countries, traditional medicine or non-conventional
medicine may be termed complementary medicine (CM). TM has a long
history of use in health maintenance and in disease prevention and treatment,
particularly for chronic disease.

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published and unpublished research investigating the prevalence of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TMCAM) use in the general population. Results found that use of a traditional and/or faith healer seemed to have decreased over the past 13 years (from a range of 3.6- 12.7% to 0.1%).