alternative medicine

alternative medicine (countable and uncountable, plural alternative medicines)

1. Any of various medical methods and practices used in place of, or as well as, conventional (scientific) medicine.
   • 2011 May 19, “Think yourself better”, in The Economist‎, →ISSN:

     Unlike their conventional counterparts, practitioners of alternative medicine often excel at harnessing the placebo effect, says Dr Ernst.

   • 2012 May 5, Liz Gooch, “Australian Universities Defend Alternative-Medicine Teaching”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     “Such courses involve so-called 'complementary or alternative medicine' masquerading as, and sitting side-by-side with, evidence-based health-related science courses,” the letter said. It added that universities were risking their reputations by teaching courses like chiropractic, homeopathy, iridology and reflexology.