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What Are the Dangers of Holistic Medicine?

Holistic medicine is practiced throughout the world, from the most primitive societies of the jungles to New York high-rise buildings. Some medical doctors consider holistic medical treatment to be more of a placebo than a cure. Other treatments, like chiropractic manipulation, are accepted as standard treatment by some medical doctors. There are some aspects of holistic medicine that some claim border on witchcraft. Others, like crystals or iridology, have no scientific basis.

  1. Exploitation

    • A particular danger of holistic medicine is the inherent possibility of the exploitation of those who don't trust or are not able to afford traditional medical care, as well as people who may be from countries where holistic medicine is a common practice. An economically disadvantaged individual may find it easier to pay a little money for a potential cure than to pay to see a doctor and then pay more for prescription medication.

    Lack of Regulation

    • While some holistic practitioners have formed groups that set up guidelines on treatment and a code of ethics, not every practitioner is required to adhere to such guidelines. The federal government does not oversee holistic practitioners, and it can be difficult for a person inexperienced with holistic medicine to judge a practitioner's knowledge and skill.

    Lack of Education

    • While many holistic practitioners are also traditional medical doctors who use holistic medicine as adjunct treatment, a person does not need a medical degree to practice most forms of holistic medicine. Thus, a patient faces the risk of putting his health into the hands of an untrained, unlicensed person.

    Lack of Standardization

    • In holistic medicine, many practitioners mix their own herbal formulas and buy their own ingredients. Dangers to the patient include not knowing the quality or strength of the ingredients, whether they've been tainted by pesticides or other dangerous substances, or even if the formula contains the correct herb, as there are many look-alike plants that can be toxic to humans.

    Interaction

    • Some holistic medicines should not be taken with traditional medicines because of the dangers of interaction. Untrained practitioners could also mix two or more incompatible substances together, with potentially dire consequences for the patient.

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