TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND MODERN MEDICINE

Harmonizing
traditional medicines &

Modern medicines

Dayang Humaira 5 Hemah

Traditional Medicines

Refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and
beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based
medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and
exercises.

Traditional medicines are applied
singularly or in combination to
treat, diagnose and prevent
illnesses or maintain well-being.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional
medicine as the sum total of knowledge, skills and practices based
on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different
cultures that are used to maintain health, as well as to prevent,
diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses.

There’s so many type of
traditional medicine from all over
the world due to different types
of cultures. Let’s have a look!

Examples of traditional medicines

Bird’s nest - a true superfood for everyone!

Bird’s Nest or saliva of the swallow bird is well-
known for its tonic and herbal properties. It has
numerous amino acids, proteins and other
minerals found in it.

It protects the body from falling sick, thus
ensuring you enjoy your golden years of
retirement.

Bird’s Nest has many benefits when consuming it. According to Traditional

Chinese Medicine, bird’s nest soup

- imparts a youthful appearance

- raises the libido

- improves immune function

- increases mental focus It is also traditionally used to clear
- treats respiratory ailments phlegm, ease chronic dry coughs
- treats digestive problems. and relieve fatigue.

According to studies,
Various lung diseases related to lungs health
can be cured by consuming boiled or
steamed water of bird nests. Some of the
sicknesses are cough, asthma and swallowing
disorder.
Besides that, you may drink the boiled bird
nest, or sweep along the skin as mask to
maintain healthy skin and solve problems
such as aging and wrinkle.

Examples of traditional medicines

Honey -liquid gold and a miracle food!

Honey has been used for both food and a
medicine.
It is considered as a miracle food and one of the
healthiest and delicious natural ingredients on the
planet. Honey act as a natural sweeteners.

Honey has a low pH level. This works to
pull moisture away from bacteria, causing
the bacteria to get dehydrated and die off.

Commonly used in folk medicine to
- treat inflammation
- Cough
- Fever
- reducing asthma-related symptoms.

To use honey as an antibiotic, apply it
directly to the wound or infected area.
The honey can help kill off the bacteria
and aid in the healing process.

Honey is one of the oldest known
antibiotics, tracing back to ancient
times. Egyptians frequently used
honey as a natural antibiotic and
skin protectant.

Examples of traditional medicines

Ginseng - one of the most popular herbal medicines in the world!

- A medicinal plant whose roots are usually steeped to
make a tea or dried to make a powder.

Ginseng is frequently utilized in traditional
Chinese medicines to
- reduce inflammation
- boost immunity
- regulate blood sugar
- improve focus
- energy levels.

Ginseng contains 2 significant compounds: ginsenosides and
gintonin that complement one another to provide health benefits.

Ginseng has also been studied as a way to improve
mood and boost endurance as well as treat
- cancer
- heart disease,
- Fatigue
- hepatitis C
- high blood pressure
- menopausal symptoms.

While some of these uses are promising, the

evidence isn’t conclusive.

Examples of traditional medicines

Aloe Vera - described as ‘The Miracle Plant’

The oldest medicinal plant ever known and the
most applied medicinal plant worldwide.

Extracts of Aloe Vera is a proven skin healer.
Aloe Vera help to soothe skin injuries affected by
o burning, skin irritations,
o cuts and insect bites,
and its bactericidal properties relieve
o itching
o skin swellings

Aloe vera gel is used for consumption and relief of
digestive issues such as heart burn and irritable bowel
syndrome.

In cosmetics, Aloe Vera is also known to
- help slow down the appearance of wrinkles
- actively repair the damaged skin cells that cause the

visible signs of aging

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
o Helps digestion : Drinking aloe vera juice naturally allows the body to

cleanse the digestive system
o Increase energy levels : Aloe Vera juice ensures a greater feeling of

well-being, allowing energy levels to increase.
o Builds immunity : The polysaccharides in aloe vera juice stimulate

macrophages, the white blood cells that fight viruses.
o Detoxifies : Aloe Vera juice is a great natural aid detox. It is rich with

vitamins, minerals for our body.

Examples of traditional medicines

Coconut

Fruit is made up of its shell, kernel (meat) and water. Coconut can
provide almost all the daily-required essential minerals, vitamins and
energy a person needs.

Coconuts contain
- Lauric acid, important fatty acid that

increases good-HDL that helps regulate
cholesterol levels in blood
- Good source of potassium and electrolyte

Coconut can be consume in many ways.
Examples

1) Coconut oil
- Used to treat fever and headaches by

rubbing it over the temples.
- Good for dandruff

2) Coconut water
- Better for hydration as it is ‘cooling’

water.
- Alleviate food poisoning or digestive

problems

3) Coconut milk
- Antioxidant, neutralise harmful

substances
- Prevents heart disease as it increase the

levels of HDL cholesterol in body.

Modern Medicines

Is defined by tremendous advances in understanding of
human health and the ability to moderate the course of
chronic diseases, correct disabling physical conditions
and cure molecular deficiencies.

Modern medicine also known as allopathic is the most
advanced scientifically based and statically approved
therapeutic system and diagnostic methodology.

Allopathic - the treatment of disease by conventional
means with drugs having effects opposite to the
symptoms.

Therapeutic system – a method of delivering
medication into the bloodstream through the skin

Diagnostic methodology – a type of method or
test used to help diagnose or disease or condition.

Modern medicines has done so much in the fields of infectious
disease and emergencies to aid cure.

Let’s take a look at the different
types of modern medicines!

Examples of modern medicines

Analgesics

Analgesics, also called as painkillers, are medications that relieve
different types of pain from headaches to injuries to arthritis.
Also act as anticoagulants which prevent the clotting of blood and
reduce risk of heart attack.

Examples of analgesics
• Aspirin
• paracetamol
• Codeine

Antimicrobials

An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms or stop
their growth.
Antimicrobial medicines are grouped to antibiotics that is used
against bacteria and antifungals that are used against fungi.

Examples of antimicrobials
• Penicillin
• Streptomycin
• Terramycin

Antibiotics provided must be
finished to ensure that all of the
bacteria are killed or else they might
become resistant to the antibiotics.

Examples of modern medicines

Psychotropic drugs

Describes any drug that affects behaviour, mood, thoughts or
perception.

Examples of psychotropic drugs:
1) Stimulants help to manage unorganised behaviour
- Caffeine
- Amphetamine
2) Antidepressants are used to treat depression
- Tranquiliser
- Barbiturates
3) Antipsychotic help to treat severe psychiatric illnesses
- Chlorpromazine
- Haloperidol
- Lithium carbonate

Anti-allergies

Anti-allergies is relieving, controlling or preventing
allergic symptoms.

When there is allergic reaction, the body releases a
. substance called histamine.

Histamine causes allergy symptoms when it binds to
receptors.
One example of anti-allergy is antihistamines to
decrease the symptoms.

Example of anti-allergies Treat symptoms such as runny
- Cetirizine nose, sneezing, itching, nasal
- Chlorpheniramine swelling, hives, skin rashes, itchy
- Diphenhydramine and watery eyes

Examples of modern medicines

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid are mainly used to reduce inflammation in the
body and suppress the immune system.
It is used to treat diseases such as asthma, arthritis, lupus and
allergy.

It can be administered orally, inhaled or by injection.

Examples of corticosteroids:
- Aristocort
- Decadron
- Mometasone
- Cortisone

Side effects of traditional medicines

Traditional medicines have side effects when used incorrectly.

Medicines Side effects
Quinine Loss of hearing

Ginkgo biloba Bleeding

St. John’s Allergic reactions, photosensitivity,
wort gastrointestinal problems

Kava Oral and lingual dyskinesia.
Exacerbation of Parkinson’s disease.

Side effects of modern medicines

Modern medicines also have side effects when used incorrectly.

Medicines Side effects
Aspirin Stomach bleeding
Addiction, sleeplessness, aggressive behaviour
Amphetamines

Penicillin Allergic reactions

Streptomycin Nausea, dizziness, rashes, aggressive
Antidepressant behaviour.

Addiction, headache, loss of appetite

During this pandemic, there were cases of misused drug that had
claimed to treat COVID-19. The drug was animal Ivermectin.
Animal Ivermectin products are very different from those
approved for humans. Use of animal ivermectin for the
prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans is dangerous!

Myths of traditional and modern medicine

1) Traditional Chinese Medicine is exotic
We often think of foreign ingredients that are unapproachable or
unappealing but that is not the case. It focuses on the body and
energy and most herbal remedies are found in your own kitchen

2) Vaccines give people autism
No evidence states that vaccines give autism. Vaccinating prevent
illnesses.

Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human
life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to
public health, food systems and the world of work. - WHO
What is COVID-19?
Co stands for corona, Vi stands for virus, and D is disease.
Covid-19 is a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging
from the common cold to more severe diseases.

Signs and symptoms include respiratory symptoms and include:
- Fever
- cough
- shortness of breath.
In more severe cases, infection can cause:
- Pneumonia
- severe acute respiratory syndrome
- death

COVID-19 has affected everybody and we need to
put in effort in preventing the spread of this virus.
This virus has taken so many lives away and has
affect everyone regardless age, race and nationality.

Reduce risk of covid-19

infection

Clean your hands often with soap

Wear face mask around others

Avoid spending time in crowded places

Practice social distancing by staying at
least a metre away from people

Ways to prevent yourself from
being infected/reduce the symptoms

1) Lemon juice in warm water
Drinking lemon juice helps to build immunity to fight
covid. Lemons are rich in Vitamin C, a natural
antioxidant that improves the immune system. Lemon
juice can effectively help your body fight foreign
pathogens.

2) Citrus fruits for cells and healing
Eat citrus fruits. Vitamin C, also known as
ascorbic acid is a water-soluble nutrient found in
leafy greens and citrus especially fruits like
oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes and
clementines. Helps to boost immunity.

3) Vitamin C supplements
Besides the citrus fruits, eating supplements will
increase the vitamin C in the body. Able to get it
easily and consume regularly.

4) Eat paracetamol to reduce the symptoms
This drug is used for mild to moderate pain and
aches relief and fever reduction. Paracetamol can
provide relief but it is not a cure against Covid-19.