Use of Alternative Medicine has increased in Children

The use of alternative medicines, such as herbal products and nutraceuticals, among children has doubled among Pediatrics since 2003. Pediatric use of complementary and alternative medicine is common and increasing, particularly for the sickest children.Use of dietary supplements,complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies is increasing considerably in pediatric as well as adult populations, particularly among the affluent and educated of which herbal, non-vitamin alternative medicines are one type, remained high but otherwise stable, with approximately one-third of children using a dietary supplement.

Both alternative and complementary medicine might make you think of pungent herbal teas, chanting, or meditation. In fact, both herbal remedies and meditation, as well as dozens of other treatments, fall under the heading of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and make use the same kinds of remedies to treat health conditions. 

The difference is that alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medical treatments and therapies  CAM is frequently distinguished by its holistic methods, which means that the doctor or practitioner treats the "whole" person and not just the disease or condition. With CAM, many practitioners also address patients' emotional and spiritual needs.There is a widespread assertion that CAM practices are less expensive than mainstream medicine and that using such therapies will lower overall health care costs. Pediatric use of complementary and alternative medical therapies is common and increasing, particularly for the sickest children.