Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Alternative medicine

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Thanks. — Headbomb {^ταλκ_{κοντριβς} – WP Physics} 08:46, 15 March, 2009 (UTC)

Request for input in discussion forum

Given the closely linked subjects of the various religion, mythology, and philosophy groups, it seems to me that we might benefit from having some sort of regular topical discussion forum to discuss the relevant content. I have put together the beginnings of an outline for such discussion at Wikipedia:WikiProject Religion/2011 meeting, and would very much appreciate the input of any interested editors. I am thinking that it might run over two months, the first of which would be to bring forward and discuss the current state of the content, and the second for perhaps some more focused discussion on what, if any, specific efforts might be taken in the near future. Any and all input is more than welcome. John Carter (talk)

_{Automated message by Project Messenger Bot from John Carter at 15:44, 5 April 2011}

Request for Feedback for a new article on Herpes Nosodes

The article [1] is getting badgered and deleted by those who do not believe in homeopathy, even though there is evidence to support nosodes and links to relevant studies provided. Please support the article as the studies for herpes nosodes bear significant promise for those suffering from herpes. Wikipedia is meant to be an objective source, however I am finding a serious amount of opposition to any article posted for natural treatments on the site. Support from Alternative Medicine contributors will be greatly appreciated on [2]. NatureisScience2 —Preceding undated comment added 16:06, 25 October 2012 (UTC)

Integrative Medicine Instead of Alternative or Complimentary?

I'm relatively new to health research (my background is both academic and business, but I've developed a personal interest in health research due to my own health issues). Nonetheless, I am finding very little support for the terms "alternative medicine" and "complementary medicine" though they have traditionally been the terms used to describe the gamut of healthy practices and healing arts that fall outside of the scope of the medical doctor. More and more I'm finding people using the term "Integrative Medicine", and it appears to be much more accepted than either alternative or complimentary because it doesn't appear to set up a dichotomy with western medicine, but rather seeks to integrate western medical practices with both newer (and sometimes much older) healing arts and practices. What would you all think about either adding another WIKIproject for Integrative medicine, or adding Integrative to this topic (as in "Integrative and/or Alternative Medicine")? CJ (talk) 03:00, 1 December 2012 (UTC)

It's just another bullshit euphemism. It should be added to the alternative medicine article if you can give us sources. If it is found to be substantially different from alternative medicine, it should get it's own article. But let's start small. TippyGoomba (talk) 04:00, 1 December 2012 (UTC)

CJ Answers

Do you mind if I ask what you mean by bullshit euphemism? Do you have a problem with any health practices like exercise, nutrition, physical therapy, massage therapy, yoga, tai chi, aerobics, acupunction, chiropraticy etc. - just because they fall outside of the strict definition of western medicine? I am talking about practices that have sound scientific evidence that they improve health and wellness - not faith healings or magnets. Another term that might be applied is Mind-Body Medicine. I can provide thousands of sources from medical journals, NIH studies, and pubmed. But again - I wouldn't consider any of these ALTERNATIVE or COMPLIMENTARY practices. I consider them integrative practices. Or even just Wellness.

I'm happy to start a new project using one of these terms - but only if there is no great objection from those who have been working on the Alternative Medicine project. While I'm willing to start small, I'm afraid the topic is large, and getting larger considering the amount of research that is being conducted on it now. CJ (talk) 19:48, 27 January 2013 (UTC)

Sub-project: botanical pharmacognosy?

What about a sub-project that deals with pharmacognosy and ethnopharmacology. Would that fit better under project medicine instead, since pharmacognosy is about modern scientific studies too? This is to make it easier to document traditional medicines (Ayurveda, Amazonian, etc) that are passed down verbally and not written down. - Sidelight12 ^Talk 00:39, 31 January 2013 (UTC)

botanical pharmacognosy - 00:51, 31 January 2013 (UTC)

Alternapedia

Alternapedia describes itself as "the online encyclopedia where researchers, educators and practitioners in naturopathic and other forms of integrative medicine edit and create the encyclopedia entries." I am not suggesting this as a source for Wikipedia articles, but its information might give editors ideas for improving Wikipedia's coverage of some topics.
—Wavelength (talk) 21:48, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

It talks about bias in Wikipedia articles, which in some cases happens. Why not remove the bias here, as well? If there is a publication on pubmed giving evidence, that should be enough to keep it here, whether or not it is low impact. Aside from that, Alternapedia would have to have a different protocol on references to have much more information. I wonder where there are good sources to find out about alternative medicines that are in use but not widely published. They didn't come from thin air, and they are taught and mentioned in books. Many must be theories that haven't been put through the complete scientific process. Discounting something without practical evidence in many cases is also unscientific. Sidelight12 ^Talk 00:47, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

One avenue of research is Open Directory - Health: Alternative.

—Wavelength (talk) 01:32, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

Requested move: Alternative medicine → Complementary and alternative medicine

Requested page move from Alternative medicine to Complementary and alternative medicine initiated. Relevant talk page discussion can be found here. FiachraByrne (talk) 02:25, 6 March 2013 (UTC)