Medicine, in general, is the practice of diagnosis, treatment, and the prevention of disease. The popularity of traditional medicine often blends with the world of Western medicine. Although people still prefer Western medicine over alternative treatments, they are sometimes blended by patients looking to heal using both.

Western medicine is the standard practice of medicine, but many patients are foregoing standard drug treatments and other remedies in favor of traditional alternatives, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and homeopathy. It’s important to consider the effects of combining these treatments to ensure your personal health and safety.

Talk to Your Doctor

Western medicine can also be referred to as conventional medicine. Your ear, nose, and throat doctor is an example of a Western medicine doctor. Your primary care physician, surgeon, physical therapist, and psychologist also fall into this category. If your conventional doctor has discovered an illness or disease, it’s important to talk to him about all your options, including any alternative healing you’re considering.

In most cases, conventional doctors won’t prescribe alternative therapies or medicines, but they may be able to advise how these alternative treatments will interact with your conventional medicines. It’s important to consult with your primary care doctor on everything, including any traditional remedies or diet changes you’re considering. If you don’t have a primary care physician, you can find one who is open-minded by reading Solutionreach patient reviews, which are written by patients and detail the strengths and weaknesses of a physician. 

Conventional medicine is developed using the principles of scientific research, but the mass production of pharmaceuticals has darkened its reputation. If you’re considering blending conventional medicine with alternative medicine, you’ll want to seek out a doctor who is open-minded and who isn’t prescription-trigger-happy. A doctor who prefers to prescribe pharmaceuticals will be less open-minded about the all-natural remedies you’re considering.

Research Interactions

Although homeopathy is very prevalent in traditional medicine, it may not go so great with conventional prescription drugs. Homeopathy simply means like with like, or natural healing by strengthening the body’s natural immunities with food and alternative medicines, such as herbs and teas. It’s important to understand that homeopathy’s effectiveness may be corrupted by prescriptions of other conventional medicines, and if the two counteract the results could potentially be dangerous to your health.

Before using any form of medication, whether traditional or conventional, it’s important to research. Seek the counsel of qualified medical practitioners and homeopathy experts. Every individual is different; therefore, the healing process is different from one person to the next. Just because someone else had a good experience blending alternative and conventional medicines doesn’t mean you will, which is why examining the most suitable medical approach is critical to your health.

The combination of two medicines, regardless if they’re organic or not, can be somewhat dangerous; however, when done correctly, two types of medication can mutually benefit the patient. For example, there are alternatives to antibiotics. Because the overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, it may be helpful to forgo antibiotics in favor of your body’s natural healing when you’re dealing with a cold.

An example of traditional and conventional not working together is ketogenic diets and chemotherapy (two things you should not use in tandem); however, cancer patients not undergoing chemo actually benefit from ketogenic diets. People receiving chemo are urged to use ginger to help with chemo-related nausea and avoid all the foods their doctors tell them to. 

The most important thing is that your doctor is aware of any drugs, herbs, supplements, or other healing alternatives you’re taking for the treatment of illness (or, simply to maintain everyday good health). Conventional doctors shouldn’t shy away from homeopathic medication, but be prepared to explain your reasons for choosing traditional medicines over non-traditional ones.