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Alternative remedies tend to fall into one of three categories: homeopathic medicine, herbal medicine and vitamin supplements. Here are the definitions of those alternative remedy classes, as well as some of the most common substances in each class.

Homeopathic Medicine

A class of drugs that are extremely diluted extracts of naturally occurring plant, animal or mineral substances. The homeopathic approach was devised two centuries ago by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann. Today, it’s a multimillion-dollar industry that is recognized and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Homeopathy is used to treat people with acute and chronic health problems, as well as for disease prevention. Recent clinical trials suggest that homeopathic medicines have a positive effect on allergic rhinitis, fibrositis and influenza.

Common homeopathic remedies:

Oscillococcinum A pill derived from a duck virus. Commonly used in very diluted form to treat symptoms of the flu virus. It is also prescribed to treat the symptoms of other viral conditions.

Arnica Treatment (available in pill or cream form) derived from a plant and said to stimulate healing responses in the body. It is commonly prescribed for open wounds, bruises and other trauma the body may incur during a fall, car accident or other traumatic incident.

Calms Forte An extraction of minerals derived from animal and vegetable products. Commonly prescribed as a sleep aid or relaxant.

Herbal Medicine

Originating in China thousands of years ago, this term refers to a set of techniques and methods used in combination with acupuncture, acupressure, qigong and oriental massage. The method focuses on diagnosing disturbances in “qi,” or vital energy, in a person’s body. The remedies are all natural herbs, none of which are synthesized like drugs used to treat patients in traditional Western medicine. There are about 500 herbs used in herbal medicine, and they can be dispensed in pill, tea or raw plant form. Extensive research on the effectiveness of herbal medicine has not been conducted in the United States, but institutes in China and Japan have studied its therapeutic value in treating chronic hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, AIDS and certain cancers.

Common herbal remedies:

Ginkgo Biloba Derived from an Asian ornamental tree, this herb is said to facilitate the flow of blood through the circulatory system. The drug is commonly used to treat memory loss in elderly patients.

Ginseng Actually a derivative of the root of the ginseng plant, it is used as a tonic to help the body’s system adapt to stress.

Garlic A versatile herb credited with being able to fight infection, aid in keeping high blood pressure under control, assist digestion, and perform other health benefits.

Kava Kava Derived from the root of the kava kava plant, it is said to calm people’s stress level. It is billed as a natural alternative to the drug Prozac.

Vitamin Supplements

High-dosage versions are regularly used in alternative medicine as part of a preventative care regimen. The potency of these megavitamin pills far exceeds the minimum daily allowances set by the Food and Drug Administration. There is no consensus as to what specific dosage constitutes a “megavitamin,” and wide potency variations exist between different brands.

Common vitamins:

Vitamin C Taken in pill form, it is used to prevent the common cold or to promote general health.

Vitamin E Taken in pill form or used topically to cure wounds and promote health. It also is commonly used as an antioxidant.

Calcium Taken in pill form, it is commonly used by women to prevent osteoporosis, a disease that leads to a loss of bone density.

Iron Taken in pill form, it is commonly used by women to promote health and alleviate anemia.

Compiled by Jessica Toledano