Homeopathy on the crossroads of traditional and integrative medicine in the Middle-East

Abstract

The Middle-East is characterized by a rich spectrum of complementary and traditional medicine therapies, which are used by patients in parallel with conventional medicine. Indigenous traditional medicine practices in the region focus mainly on herbal medicine and far less on the use of European-based complementary medicine modalities such as homeopathy. Little has been reported on the extent to which homeopathy is being used in the Middle-East, this despite an emerging body of basic science and clinical research on the subject from countries such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon. We compare the foundations of homeopathy with those of traditional Middle-Eastern medicine in the Middle-East, and explore the possibilities of collaborative research and clinical practice. In particular, qualitative research is warranted to explore patients' expectations regarding homeopathic consultation and feasibility of its integration into MiddleEastern health systems. Studying patient-homeopath communication patterns may be used to promote the clinical implementation of patient-centered care, based on a bio-psycho-social-spiritual health model.Keywords Homeopathy Á Integrative medicine Á Complementary and alternative medicine Á Middle-East Á Traditional medicine Prolog: Naomi experiencing integrative homeopathy and palliative care Naomi, a 70-year-old Jewish woman, married and living in a village in northern Israel, was admitted to the oncology service at the Lin Medical Center in Haifa with a diagnosis of metastatic endometrial cancer. She had begun palliative treatment with a regimen of carboplatin and paclitaxel, and was referred by her oncologist to an integrative physician (IP) working in the oncology service for consultation. The IP is a conventional physician (MD) with extensive training in complementary medicine (CM) and supportive cancer care who provides patients with information regarding the use of CM in conjunction with conventional care. Patients are then referred to a number of CM treatment modalities, with the goal of alleviating symptoms and improving quality-of-life (QOL)-related outcomes. The IP consultation and CM treatments are provided at the center without charge, and are part of an integrative oncology program provided to patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or palliative treatment.The issues raised during Naomi's IP consultation were related to her main concerns and symptoms, with the ultimate goal of improving QOL-related outcomes. She subsequently underwent ten CM treatment sessions, this in addition to a wide range of nutritional and dietary supplements which she had been taking upon her presentation

Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Herbal Remedies Used During Pregnancy and Lactation in West Bank Palestine

“…Due to the geographical location of Palestine in the Mediterranean region, it has many distinctive characteristics, including fertile soil and a moderate climate (Mendelssohn and Yom-Tov, 1999;Lev, 2006). In addition, Palestine was and still is a very important crossroad of trade between the East and the West, adding a special characteristic to the use of medicinal plants (Azaizeh et al, 2006;Azaizeh et al, 2010;Ben-Arye and Samuels, 2015), especially among pregnant and lactating women. Evidence of the ancient use of medicinal plants in the Mediterranean region was found in a cave from about 60,000 years ago (Saad et al, 2005).…”

Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the West Bank-Palestine

“…Varied zoogeographic, climatic, and phytogeographic zones cover Palestine hence generating great biological multi-diversity [ 1 ]. In addition to this, it has been an important international trade cross road since the ancient times, between the Eastern and Western worlds, further enriching its culture in herbal remedies and home uses [ 2 – 4 ].…”

Ethnopharmacological survey of herbal remedies used for treatment of various types of cancer and their methods of preparations in the West Bank-Palestine

“…Different zoogeographic, climatic, and phytogeographic zones covered Palestine, creating great biological multi-diversity [ 1 , 2 ]. In addition to that it was as an important international trade crossroad from ancient times, between North Africa, East Asia and West Europe; this added to its culture in herbal medicines [ 3 – 5 ].…”