Alternative Medicine - Maine

Personally I have never opted for any form of alternative medicine, simply because I didn't see the need nor the reason to try one. I suppose I have a medical background which made me quite sceptical to venture into therapies with little to  no evidence-based medical research.

However, I am not totally against alternative medicine but I do find it quite interesting in some unusual cases in Vanuatu. The most common alternative medicine in Vanuatu is called traditional herbal medicine. Usually, certain illnesses such as the cold, flu or high fever were treated by a "CLEFA" - referred to as a local doctor - skilled with the knowledge of herbal medicines that were practised for many years by their ancestors and were passed on to the next generation. A Clefa is typically common in remote islands where health care facilities are scarce. To some extent, spiritual belief and superstitions can also be part of this knowledge to become  a Clefa. In any case, a Clefa is similar to a "witch doctor" in some parts of Africa.

While some people say that getting treatment from a Clefa has helped them in one way, others have reported it as ineffective and dangerous. There were several cases of cancer patients seeking professional medical help at the last minute simply because their Clefa couldn't cure them and sadly, they passed on. I don't really blame them because they might have been living in area where health care is geographically inaccessible. But I do belief that they should understand and be aware of the consequences of not seeking appropriate health care in time.