Statistics show that around 70% of people are using some kind of alternative medicine. But what is complementary and alternative medicine? And should you be taking such an approach to your health?

Today on The Good Doctors we are discussing the various aspects of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and also whether it is similar to Integrative Medicine. Joining us on the show is Dr. Lesley Braun, who discusses how integrative medicine brings the best of both worlds together. Lesley is the author of “Herbs and Natural Supplements – An evidence based Guide” clears the fear and apprehension around ‘alternative and complementary medicine’. From Lesley’s experience as a naturopath, she will discuss the positive and negative effects of integrative medicine.

Listen in as we examine how effective can these medicines be for your health; and how you need not shy away from the fact that you are using complementary medicine.

About Dr. Lesley Braun

Lesley Braun is the Director of the Blackmore’s Institute which is the research, education and advisory arm of Blackmore’s with activities in Australia but also internationally. She is an Honorary Associate Professor of Integrative Medicine within the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (University of Western Sydney), adjunct Senior Research Fellow within the Monash/Alfred Psychiatric Research centre and has held positions at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne as a research pharmacist and the Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery at Monash University as a Senior Research Fellow.

Lesley is the main author of the bestselling textbook ‘Herbs and Natural Supplements – an evidence based guide’ –published by Elsevier, founding editor-in-chief of a new international journal by Elsevier entitled ‘ Advances in Integrative Medicine’, a regular columnist for the Australian Journal of Pharmacy (AJP), lecturer at Monash University and RMIT and regularly presents at national and international conferences on various topics within the large field of integrative medicine, in addition to her own complementary medicine research projects.

One of her chief areas of expertise is investigating and working at the interface between complementary and conventional medicine (medicine, surgery and pharmacy) from multiple perspectives such as efficacy, safety, patient and physician perspectives, regulation and practice both within the community and hospital settings.

In this Episode

01:51       Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Integrative Medicine

05:04      How widespread is it?

05:58      Doctors’ perspective on Complementary and Alternative Medicine

08:45      How knowledgeable are medical people on Complementary and Alternative Medicine?

09:01      Barriers

12:23       Deaths from herbal and mineral vitamin supplements

19:00      Recap

22:00      Take home message

Upcoming Episodes

71: Heart Health: Garlic, Chocolate and Heart Health | Dr Karin Ried PhD

72: Vitamins: The Safety of Supplements and Vitamins | Dr Lesley Braun

73: Supplements:  A Supplement A Day Keeps The Doctor Away | Dr Peter Dingle

74: Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology in Food | Jeremy Tager