CAM, An Irish Solution to a Global Question?

CAM or natural healing has been part of public healthcare choices in Ireland from early monastic times, when cures were sought and used for a range of ailments. Natural healing predates biomedicine and has remained a popular choice down through the ages. This has been replicated on a global scale from the beginnings of traditional medicines to current use today of indigenous or folk medicines as healthcare choices. Often described as “alternative” to the more accepted, dominant, scientific biomedical systems used by most countries for their healthcare systems. both the EU and the WHO have sought to map, and recommend protection and recognition of non-dominant traditional medicines. This book is based on research which explores CAM communities across the globe, and uses Ireland as one example of the emergence of a vibrant CAM community. It explores lack of government recognition and inclusion of CAM in healthcare choices in most countries of the world, despite public demand. It discusses the growth of unsupported CAM private training and public service industries across the world, delivering lifelong learning and second chance education, creating employment to meet industry demand.