Traditional medicine and complementary alternative medicine

The use of traditional medicine (TM) com¬plementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased significantly over the past few years. In this context, it is necessary to develop information to meet the needs of consumers. Inequities in availability, accessibility and affordability of health care have increased, between as well as within populations the world over. In the recent past there has been a growing interest in Traditional medicine/Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) and their relevance to public health both in developed and developing countries. Diversity, flexibility, easy accessibility, broad continuing acceptance in developing countries and increasing popularity in developed countries, relative low cost, low levels of technological input, relative low side effects and growing economic importance are some of the positive features of traditional medicine (WHO 2002). According to WHO some of the major policy challenges include safety, efficacy, quality and rational use of traditional medicine. As a continuing effort, the current paper will give an overview on herbal medicines, which are the most influential traditional medicine systems to improve public health problems.