Complementary and Alternative Medicine's Place in Modern Medicine

This book discusses complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and explores the efficacy of herbalism in contemporary disease therapy. Our plant of particular interest is Brickellia cavanillesii (Asteraceae), cultivated and consumed for its relaxative and presumed remediative properties. Quantitative and qualitative characterization of bioactive components of lyophilized Brickellia cavanillesii (LBC) were determined using an array of gas chromatographic methods. In vitro ethnotoxicological techniques were employed in investigating proteomic and genomic expressions of human carcinoma liver (HepG2) cells exposed to varying concentrations of LBC. Results obtained suggest there is promise, and perhaps possible benefit, in the efficacy of LBC in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The author submits that CAM may be utilized as complimentary instruments, and may provide a veritable resource, in assuring the efficacious treatment of a panoply of health disorders and their comorbidities.