The concept of Traditional and Complementary / Integrated / Alternative Medicine refers to all the medical doctrines such as acupuncture, ayurveda, homeopathy, etc.., generally defined in the international literature with the term “Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (CAM). The most widespread term, however, is Complementary Medicine (MC), given its frequent integration with healthcare practices of Conventional Medicine. Complementary Medicine is widespread in countries with low-middle income, in which it is used by about the 80% of the population. This percentage tends to rise even in industrialized countries, reaching also 65% in some States.
Acupuncture is now a widely practiced discipline and subject of master post degree in Medicine and Surgery, as well as of a large number of medical-scientific international experimental and academic publications which corroborates the validity in the treatment of painful, allergic symptoms or failure of the endocrine and immune systems. There is also a close relationship between Acupuncture and Neurology: about half of the points of acupuncture is in fact on the path of the peripheral nerves and the other half is closely linked to the arteries, veins and related vascular nerve plexus, not distancing ever more than five millimeters.
Even homeopathy and homotoxicology are widely spreading in Europe and in Italy: in fact, Italy appears to be in third place in Europe (preceded by France and Germany) for use of these therapeutic doctrines. The sale of homeopathic remedies has recorded an increase of 65% over the last 20 years, although for such remedies is granted neither the advertising nor reimbursement by the State. The average user of homeopathic remedies is, therefore, contrary to the Countries in which the Complementary Medicine is widespread, characterized by medium-high education and income. The use of homeopathic remedies is generally of complementary type and not alternative (i.e. It doesn’t completely substitute the drugs conventionally understood).
The Institute for Statistics Research and Analysis of Public Opinion (Doxa) stated that 9 million Italians usually make use of homeopathic remedies, while 14 million use it occasionally. It’s very interesting in this regard consult the document “Safety Issues in the preparation of homeopatic medicines” drafted by the World Health Organization in March 2010. In this paper, homeopathy is officially recognized as a therapeutic doctrine, with the same value and experimental and scientific relevance of practices that belong to conventional Medicine. Returning to the steady spread of Complementary Medicine in industrialized Countries and in Italy, consider that in 2003 the Lombardy Region and the World Health Organization collaborated on a 4-year cooperation plan for the development of guidelines and information techniques on Complementary Medicine. An emblematic case is also represented by the Tuscany Region: acts of health planning in this region has contained references to Complementary Medicine since 1996, and the last regional health plans include actions in favor of such therapies. Currently there are 60 public clinics in Tuscany which provide services of Complementary Medicine (mainly acupuncture, homeopathy, phytotherapy) at the local Health Authorities, with coverage of such benefits through the basic levels of regional assistance (Lea) and other projects.
State of the art of Traditional and Complementary / Alternative   Medicine
Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine is widely used in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of affections. Several factors have determined the  constant diffusion and the growing interest in the Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine, especially in the last 20 years.
In some regions Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine is more accessible; about a third of the world’s population and more than half of the poorest populations of Asia and Africa in fact do not have a regular access to essential medicines. However, the most common reasons given to support the use of Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine consist in the fact that this doctrine turns out to be more affordable and corresponding ideology of the patient, as well as less paternalistic than Conventional Medicine.
Regardless of the reasons for which an individual prefers it, Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine provides an important service of medical assistance to all people with or without geographic or financial access to Conventional Medicine. Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine has proven to be effective in areas such as psychological balance, prevention and treatment of diseases and improving the quality of life for the elderly and for people with chronic medical conditions. Although there is a steady need for further research, clinical trials and evaluations, Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine certainly showed a huge ability and potential for a wide spectrum of medical needs.
Recognition of the widespread use of Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine and the huge expansion of herbal products in international markets must be counterbalanced by some basic principles, equally valid for Conventional Medicine:

  • medical care provided by the Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine must be secure and reliable
  • standards for safety, efficacy and quality control of herbal products and therapies of Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine must be established and confirmed
  • therapists must be qualified to practice the profession

These issues have become important for both the public and the authorities in the health field (in this regard national policies play a key role).
Every year, the World Health Organization receives an increasing number of requests for standards, technical guidelines, information support from the Member States in order to develop national policies on Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine.
The World Health Organization encourages and supports Member States to integrate Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine in their National Health Systems and to establish a rationale for the use of this type of medical disciplines. Facilitating the exchange of information between Member States through regional conferences and publications, the World Health Organization assists Countries in sharing their experiences in order to establish National Policy on Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine and disseminate appropriate and innovative approaches for an Integrated Health System.
In 1998, the World Health Organization published the essay “Regulatory situation in Herbal Medicines: A Worldwide Review.” In spite of this publication deals with the regulation of herbal medicines, this document aroused the attention of not only the public but also the health authorities of the Member States of the World Health Organization.
Information about the regulation and registration of herbal medicines, therapies and therapists of Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine, is also contained in the document “Legal Status of Traditional Medicine and Complementary / Alternative Medicine: A Worldwide Review.” This publication appears to be a very comprehensive essay that treats in detail Member States’ laws, regulations, statistics, education and training as well as insurance systems. All this in order to facilitate the exchange of information between Countries, elaborating regulatory policies in the field of Traditional and Complementary / Alternative Medicine and developing integrated national health systems through which build mixed  therapeutic pathways (constituted by the integration of conventional and complementary practices) which can be a great opportunity to protect the health and wellness of the citizen.