Evidence For Clinical Guidelines and Traditional Health

Traditional medicine has long been used to promote health and wellbeing, dating back thousands of years. While advances in biomedical sciences have made evidence-based medicine the focus of contemporary health care, traditional remedies remain valuable in certain settings. Evidence for clinical guidelines and traditional health practices are being increasingly produced and are being evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy. One example of evidence for traditional health practices is the use of herbs and dietary supplements. Laboratory and clinical studies are being conducted to identify the medicinal or nutritional value of commonly used herbs and supplements. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of certain herbs like ginger, garlic, and turmeric in the management of certain types of illnesses. Furthermore, due to their widespread use, some herbal supplements have been studied and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as over-the-counter medications. Another form of evidence for traditional health practices involves the lifestyle practices of healthy communities. Increasingly, research is being conducted to understand why certain populations have very low rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, despite their environment or lifestyle. For example, studies are looking at the roles that a healthy diet, exercise, and social networks contribute in preserving health. While knowledge of such practices alone may not be enough to promote health in other communities, understanding why these traditional health practices are effective may help to inform evidence-based strategies and interventions that promote health in other populations. In addition, many cultures have traditional healing methods that are being studied for their effectiveness. Acupuncture, massage, and meditation are just some of the traditional healing practices that are being evaluated for their efficacy in treating certain conditions. Clinical studies conducted in recent years have shown that these practices can be effective for the management of pain, stress, and other health conditions. Traditional medicine has a valuable place in promoting health and wellbeing in contemporary society. Evidence for the efficacy of traditional health practices is growing, and this evidence can be used to develop evidence-based strategies and interventions that are informed by traditional healing methods.