Effects of Traditional and Modern Medicines

Running head: EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINES
EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINES
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1EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINES
Introduction:
In the recent era, the majority of the developed countries have accepted modern
medicine has cultural and social norms. However, since modern medicines have undergone
various test laboratories before coming into the market, traditional medicines are also used as
alternative medicines to cure a range of disease. In the United States, 36% of adults use
alternative medicines or traditional medicines and the rest of the population use modern
medicines. However, in the modern era, traditional medicines tend to have high side effects
compared to modern medicines due to lack of laboratory test (Healthclaps, 2020). On the other
hand, modern medicines and herbal medicines both have their side effects that may have life-
threatening consequences. This paper aims to provide an in-depth discussion regarding the
relationship between Disease and medicine, the difference with herbal and modern medicines,
side effects of traditional medicine and how ancient remedies are changing modern medicine in
following paragraphs.
Discussion:
Disease and medicine:
Medicines are considered as chemical products that can cure the disease. The
consumption of medicines leads to absorption in the blood and it further circulated throughout
the body to work in the targeted position (Healthclaps, 2020). However, drug use can have a long
term health outcome on the human body where the throat, lungs and liver, pancreas and nervous
system are mostly affected. Medicine can negatively impact autoimmune system by decreasing
or increasing the metabolism of the body which include weight, age and total body weight.
Healing through Modern medicines:

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One of the major problems in the recent era of the modern medical system is that human
being now relies too often on modern medicine for healing disease. The environmental of the
body that facilitate the development of the disease and infection is what distinguishes between
healthy and sick individuals. When the body is unable to eliminate the disease, it slowly becomes
diseases. However, since western medicine refused to acknowledge this fact, many diseases
cannot be cured (Nagel, 2020). The human disease can be cured by nutritious food. Therefore, in
order to experience, one must make a wise decision regarding the food choices that will
contribute to complete healing (Nagel, 2020).
The benefit of traditional and modern medicine:
The history of modern medicine suggested that use of drugs usually able to cure disease.
The benefit of modern medicine is that it typically works effectively, quickly and can reduce a
range of health issues such as high blood pressure, pain and infection. Moreover, as it is a
difficult procedure, the treatment with modern medicine is considered as safer compared to
traditional medicine (Shah, 2020). Moreover, modern medicines are commonly tested repeatedly
in a range of different ways before it is marked as a market product. Therefore, the laboratory
tests enable researchers to ensure that those tested medicines are safe and without side effects
(Automated Future, 2018). However, the drawback of modern medicine is that overconsumption
can lead to serious health issues and it can create resistant bacteria.
On the other hand, the benefit of traditional medicine is that unlike modern medicine
focused on prevention. Moreover, it uses a tried and tested formula to observe the effectiveness.
However, since no laboratory test is used to assess the effectiveness, the proper amount that can
prevent the disease is difficult to gain (Leaves That Heal, 2017). Moreover, due to the word of
mouth knowledge, two individuals may have widely different knowledge regarding the same

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treatment that can lead to side effects such as allergic reaction (Automated Future, 2018). A
range of medicinal plants contains alkaloids which potentially exhibit toxicity to the liver.
Alkaloids are usually found in plants and hence, in order to reduce the side effects, it is crucial to
limit the plants containing alkaloids. The
Side effects of traditional medicine:
Since the majority of the traditional medicines are tried and tested from the ancient era
and no laboratory test was conducted to assess the effectiveness, traditional medicine can lead to
a range of negative side effects. The common side effects of herbal medicines include allergic
reactions, rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (Automated Future, 2018). Moreover, herbal
medicines may interact with other prescribed medicines and induce such negative impact. The
common reason behind such an allergic reaction is that the immune system recognizes these
herbal medicines as an antigen or allergen that resulted in IgE mediated type I hypersensitivity.
Dealing with the side effects of traditional medicine:
In order to deal with the side effects of traditional medicine, it is crucial to assess the
health status of the patients. Before prescribing traditional medicine, it is crucial to provide an
accurate amount of medicine. The skilled practitioner is required to consult in this case and
modern medicine are required to provide for managing allergy and rashes.
Difference between herbal and modern medicines:
Herbal medicine is different from the synthetically made counterpart and use plant
derivatives to treat and prevent the disease of the individuals. The herbal medicine is also
called phytomedicine which is mostly applicable for the patients with chronic diseases such as
diabetes, asthma and end-stage kidney disease (Leaves That Heal, 2017). However, the use of
specific herbal plants that are based on multiple factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, education

4EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINES
and social class. The common examples of the herbal medicines include herbal teas, feverfew,
garlic, ginkgo, ginger and ginseng. The herbal medicines are being used by ancient Sumerians
and ancient Egyptians also used herbal medicines as a fundamental part of healing. The most
widely used herbal medicinal practice is called Ayurveda and all cultures such as Muslims,
Chinese and greeks all used Ayurveda as an effective traditional medicinal practice.
The traditional medicinal practice is different from modern practice due to a different
approach to health. In case of modern medicinal practice, the practitioners usually focus on the
reduction of the symptoms rather than prevention of the symptoms (Leaves That Heal, 2017).
Moreover, modern medicines usually consider the physical health of the individuals for reducing
the symptoms of the individuals. In this context, traditional medicine considers illness in a
different light compared to modern medicine. Unlike modern medicine, traditional medicine
considers the spiritual, social and psychological aspect of the individuals who are experiencing
illness such as chronic disease and infection (Leaves That Heal, 2017). Consequently,
considering all aspect while applying for medicine usually empower individuals with the disease
and improve adherence to traditional medicines.
Ancient remedies are changing modern medicine:
Ancient medicines include herbs and therapeutic techniques such as acupressure,
acupuncture, massages and cupping. The physicians usually aim to relieve pain and offer the best
treatment. However, in the case of chronic conditions, it usually becomes difficult and
complicated as there is no cure. In this context, ancient remedies are changing modern medicine
by integrating the practice with it. The traditional medicine remained the primary form of health
care in china due to the fact to heal the patient, Chinese traditional practice are most effective
one which cannot be healed by modern medicines (Gwin, 2020). Chinese traditional practices

5EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINES
such as acupuncture has the potential to lower the cost of the health care system and provide the
best possible healing to the population. In the recent era, Chinese physicians are trained and
licensed according to the state of the art medical practice for incorporating Chinese traditional
practice into modern practice. On the other hand, American populations gradually are integrating
the traditional treatments into modern practice, notably acupuncture which is now covered by the
health insurance schemes. Many American athletes use cupping as muscle therapy to improve
performance in sports (Gwin, 2020). The studies suggested that some of the traditional Chinese
remedies contain omega three fatty acids which can reduce cholesterol level, improve cognition
and reduce inflammation amongst the population. However, the negative impact of such changes
is that extinction of species where one of the prominent instances is existing of rhino due to rhino
horn sales. Therefore, while ancient remedies are changing modern medicine, it is also
negatively impacting the organism as a whole.
Conclusion:
On a concluding note, it can be said that in the era of modernization, modern and
traditional medicinal practice integrated to improve healing and prevention of disease.
However, modern medicines and herbal medicines both have their own side effects that may
have life-threatening consequences. The advantage of modern medicine is that due to a
laboratory test, it is usually safe. However, overdose can lead to premature death. On the other
hand, unlike modern medicine, traditional medicine consider the spiritual, social and
psychological aspect of the individuals who are experiencing illness such as chronic disease and
infection. The common side effects of traditional practice include allergic reaction, rash and
asthma due to type 1 hypersensitive reaction. Therefore, it is crucial to consult doctors to reduce
such sides. Ancient medicines such as herbs and therapeutic techniques are recently integrated in

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the modern medical practice as it is cost-effective and innovative. Therefore, for receiving a
holistic outcome, both medicinal practice is crucial.

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References:
Automated Future. (2018). Modern Medicine vs. Traditional Medicine (A Breakdown) -
Automated Future. Retrieved 29 February 2020, from
https://theautomatedfuture.com/modern-medicine-vs-traditional-medicine-a-breakdown/
Gwin, P. (2020). How ancient remedies are changing modern medicine. Retrieved 29 February
2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2019/01/ancient-chines-
remedies-changing-modern-medicine/
Healthclaps. (2020). How Medicines can Affect Human Body System?. Retrieved 29 February
2020, from https://healthclaps.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/how-medicines-can-affect-
human-body-system/
Leaves That Heal. (2017). Modern Medicine versus Traditional Medicine: What’s the
Difference. Retrieved 29 February 2020, from https://leavesthatheal.com/modern-
medicine-versus-traditional-medicine-whats-difference/
Nagel, R. (2020). Healing Our Children: Natural Health for home birth, attachment parenting
and Pregnancy. Retrieved 29 February 2020, from http://www.healingourchildren.net/
Shah, A. (2020). Choosing between Traditional and Modern Medicine. Retrieved 29 February
2020, from http://www.biologydiscussion.com/medicine-2/choosing-between-traditional-
and-modern-medicine/25132