Compare and Contrast Herbal medicine and Nutritional therapy Essay

Compare and Contrast Herbal medicine and Nutritional therapy - Essay Example In addition, complementary medicine incorporates alternative medicine applied for curative and therapeutic purposes, instead of the western medicine (Robson, 2003). Other important component of complementary medicine according to Robson, (2003) includes indigenous practices and medicines traditionally used for medical intervention in addition to integrative medicine, which involves using both western medicine and complementary medicine to cure diseases. In view of these dimensions, Robson (2003) argues that complementary medicine is an inclusive term, incorporating both complementary medicines and therapies. In health care, Mark and Brown (2007) note that the major concerns of complementary medicine are maintenance of health and curing diseases. Therefore, different medicines and therapies not regarded by mainstream medical practice are included in the practice. These include herbal medicine, acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy, nutritional therapy, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, homeopathy, osteopathy among others (Mark, & Brown, 2007). According to Blackman, et al. (2009), many health care professionals are increasingly applying both complementary and conventional medicine and therapy in their practices and this has resulted to high incidents of overlap between the two. In this regard, Fass (2001) formulated four domains of complementary medicine considering the existence of some intersections while applying medical practices. These domains include mind and body medicine, practices based on biological applications, energy medicine, and body based (manipulative) practices (Fass, 2001). Mind - body medicine in complementary medicine involves the application of diverse methods intended to improve the power of the mind to affect the functions of the body and symptoms (Damery, et al. 2009). Examples of mind-body