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Alternative medicine and dermatology
1New York Medical College, Valhalla, USA.
Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
|December 22, 1998
Summary
Practitioners should be open to alternative medicine, as patients may not disclose use, risking adverse effects and drug interactions. A review of popular herbal remedies and their dermatologic uses is provided.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Growing patient interest in nonconventional disease treatment and prevention, especially in Western countries.
- Potential for adverse effects and drug-herb interactions with alternative therapies.
- Need for open-mindedness among traditional Western medicine practitioners regarding CAM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss patient demographics and motivations for seeking alternative treatments.
- To review the scientific literature on herbal and physical modalities in medicine.
- To emphasize popular herbs and those used for dermatologic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific studies on herbal and physical modalities.
- Focus on currently popular herbs and those for dermatologic applications.
- Discussion of patient demographics and reasons for CAM use.
Main Results:
- Patients may withhold information about CAM use if they perceive physician disapproval.
- Alternative treatments carry risks, including adverse effects and drug-herb interactions.
- A review of popular and dermatologic-specific herbal remedies is presented.
Conclusions:
- Open-mindedness from Western medicine practitioners is crucial for patient safety.
- Understanding patient motivations for CAM use is important for integrated care.
- Evidence-based review of popular herbs informs clinical practice and patient counseling.