Vol. 2, Issue 8, Part L (2016)

Abstract
Since the later half of the 20th century there has been increasing public discontentment with conventional treatment, i.e., biomedicine or allopathic medicine. Instead of relying solely on biomedicine, citizens are increasingly seeking for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), thus the interest in Alternative Medicine is continually escalating. In simple terms, Alternative Medicine refers to a group of diverse medical systems, practices and products that is not considered to be a part of conventional medicine. The trend is observable worldwide. Various studies confirm this trend. The reasons for this changing scenario are manifold. To depict this changing scenario this article attempts to provide an understanding of the increasing use of CAM therapy. Firstly, the paper attempts to define Complementary and Alternative medicine; Secondly, various features of Alternative Medicine are discussed to provide an understanding of its growing popularity; Thirdly, key differences between Complementary Medicine and Alternative Medicine are summarized; Fourthly, a range of Alternative Medical therapy is provided to acquaint us with various healing methods availed by the people; Fifthly, reasons for this changing scenario is highlighted; Sixthly, areas of ongoing controversy are discussed and finally the article projects the future scenario of CAM.