alternative medicine

noun

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (such as chiropractic, homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in the traditional medical curricula of the U.S. and Britain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The spa also touts a blend of alternative medicine, such as ayurveda, techniques with technology, as demonstrated through treatments like electrostimulation and HydraFacial. —Byrachel King, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2023

She has been outspoken about her interest in alternative medicine. —Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2023

Each year Americans spend about $34 billion on alternative medicine, much of which fails to hold up under scientific scrutiny. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2016

To Gorski, the very idea of alternative medicine is a logical fallacy. —Matthew Hongoltz-hetling, The New Republic, 28 Feb. 2023

Amalaki has long been used as a natural remedy by practitioners of Ayurveda, an alternative medicine system that has its roots in ancient India. —Barbara Bolen, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2023

Sociologists say that in addition to an influential culture of alternative medicine, the vaccine resistance is fueled by a strong tradition of decentralized government that tends to feed distrust of rules imposed from the capital — and by a far-right ecosystem that knows how to exploit both. —New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021

Then and Now American historian Michael Willrich, author of Pox: An American History, says that many of those in the anti-vaccination movement toward the end of the 19th century were essentially doctors of alternative medicine. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2021

During a trip to Seattle, Katherine Avery (Debbie Allen) used alternative medicine to help treat her cancer while still trying to keep a secret from her husband Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.). —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

alternative medicine

noun

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as herbal medicine) involving approaches not customarily taught or practiced in the U.S.

Medical Definition

alternative medicine

noun

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as homeopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, Ayurveda, or faith healing) that are not included in the traditional curricula taught in medical schools of the United States and Britain