Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Modern Healthcare: A Comprehensive Review

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) continues to play a pivotal role in global healthcare, offering holistic, culturally relevant, and cost-effective interventions. This comprehensive review examines the integration of T&CM within modern medical systems, highlighting therapeutic modalities, clinical efficacy, safety, and regulatory frameworks. Various approaches—including herbal medicine, acupuncture, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and mind body therapies—are explored for their mechanisms of action, evidence-based outcomes, and patient-centered applications. The review also addresses the challenges of scientific validation, standardization, and quality control, alongside opportunities for synergistic integration with conventional medicine. By synthesizing preclinical studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews, the study emphasizes the potential benefits, limitations, and future directions for incorporating T&CM into contemporary healthcare practice, fostering a more holistic and patient-focused approach.