Authors : Himanshu; Dr. Swarup J. Chatterjee; Himanshu Jaiswal

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/36ucmde8

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/592vbere

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14564456

Abstract : There has been growing interest in alternative medicine (AM) use over the last few decades due to the widespread desire for holistic, individualized care and dissatisfaction with the conventional healthcare system. This literature review examines the prevalence, reasons for use, modalities, and potential benefits and risks of AM practices utilized by women. From various clinical trials, surveys, and ethnographic researches, this review will attempt to draw a comprehensive understanding of the integration of alternative therapies into the health care practice of women. In addition, this article discusses the effectiveness of herbal medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, and mind-body therapies by analyzing scientific evidence. The results indicate that although some AM practices are quite useful, issues of effectiveness, safety, and integration with conventional medicine remain.

Keywords : Alternative Medicine, Women's Health, Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Mind-Body Therapies.

References :

1. Eisenberg, D. M., et al. (1998). "Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990- 1997: results of a follow-up national survey." JAMA, 280(18), 1569-1575.
2. This article presents the statistics of alternative medicine use among the US population, specifically showing a high rate among women.
3. Fouladbakhsh, J. M., & Stommel, M. (2008). "Complementary and alternative medicine use among women with breast cancer." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(9), 1093-1098.
4. This article discusses complementary and alternative medicine use in women with breast cancer and includes motivation, benefits, and challenges.
5. MacLennan, A. H., Wilson, D. H., & Taylor, A. W. (2002). "Prevalence and cost of alternative medicine in Australia." The Lancet, 360(9335), 1067-1071. no This article reports on the prevalence of the use of alternative medicine in Australia and discusses the associated financial costs, particularly in the context of women.
6. Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Haller, H., Dobos, G., & Langhorst, J. (2013). "Acupuncture and herbal medicine in the treatment of women with menstrual disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(3), 195-206. A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture and herbal medicine in treating women’s menstrual disorders.
7. Ernst, E. (2009). "Complementary and alternative medicine: What is the evidence?" British Journal of Pain, 23(3), 129-136.
8. This is a review that covers a wide scope of evidence related to complementary and alternative therapies and their use in women's health.
9. Harris, P. E., Cooper, C. L., Relton, C., & Thomas, K. J. (2004). "Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use among cancer patients: A systematic review." British Journal of Cancer, 94(3), 307-314. A systematic review that provides insights into the prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients, with a focus on women undergoing cancer treatments.
10. Vickers, A. J., & Zollman, C. (2012). "Acupuncture: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(5), 426-437. This systematic review assesses the efficacy of acupuncture for a range of health conditions, including those that are primarily experienced by women, such as chronic pain and menstrual disorders.
11. Shang, A., Huwiler-Müntener, K., Nüesch, E., Trelle, S., Reichenbach, S., et al. (2005). "Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homeopathy and allopathy." The Lancet, 366(9487), 726-732. A meta-analysis that reviews the efficacy of homeopathy, giving evidence and discussion on its use in general health, including for conditions affecting women.
12. McKenna, S. A., Abrahams, S. S., & Lathrop, K. A. (2001). "Black cohosh and its effect on menopausal symptoms: A systematic review of the literature." Journal of Women's Health & Gender-Based Medicine, 10(9), 875-881. Review of studies that assessed the efficacy of black cohosh for alleviating menopausal symptoms, a herbal preparation that has been used widely by women.
13. NIH (National Institutes of Health). 2020. "Herbal Medicine." National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. A good information source on herbal medicine that highlights safety, quality control, and specific issues involving pregnancy, menopause, and chronic disease.
14. Van Tulder, M. W., Koes, B. W., & Bouter, L. M. (2000). "A systematic review of the effectiveness of complementary therapies for acute and chronic back pain." Spine, 25(17), 2339- 2348. This systematic review assesses whether alternative therapies such as chiropractic care and acupuncture could alleviate a very common complaint among women of back pain.
15. Berman, B. M., Swyers, J. P., & Wernz, M. (2009). "Mind-body interventions in women's health." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(8), 883-890. A review article presenting the efficacy of mind-body therapies like yoga, meditation, and biofeedback in women in dealing with stress, anxiety, and chronic disorders.
16. Culpepper, L., & O'Neil, M. (2011). "Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Women's Health." Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 13(4). An overview of a range of complementary and alternative therapies that women use, their benefits and risks in relation to common health problems including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
17. Tesch, E. D., & Binkley, A. R. (2005). "Use of complementary and alternative medicine in a women's health setting." Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 50(3), 258-264. This study explores the role of complementary and alternative therapies in women's health settings, particularly in midwifery and gynecological care.
18. Sarris, J., & Byrne, G. (2011). "Herbal medicine in the treatment of anxiety and depression in women: A review of clinical trials." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(7), 565-573. Review was based on the use of herbal medicine in treating anxiety and depression, a condition that strikes a considerable percentage of women, particularly during reproductive age.
19. Garfinkel, M. S., & Newberg, A. B. (2002). "Mind-Body Therapies and Women's Health: A Review of Current Research." Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 9(1), 51-59. A review article on the effects of mind-body therapies upon women's mental and physical conditions; especially stress-related ones

11.Berman B. M., & Lao, L. Acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain in women. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2008, 14(5), 681-6