This book provides an overview of factors that have influenced and will continue to influence the development of "alternative" (traditional) medicine in the world. Traditionally, the lack of relevant good quality scientific research is often the reason why a large number of healthcare practices are labelled "alternative". However, nonscientific factors may be at least as important as the scientific ones. Among such factors are cultural, political, administrative and economic considerations. The aricles in this volume provide an international perspective on how such pervasive factors impact on...