By Dr. Abayomi Obadélé Meeks

Americans spend more than $12 billion annually on natural medicines. These medicines can work when used properly, but there is misinformation regarding natural medicine within the African and Latino communities, particularly in Denver.
Natural medicine treatments afford the patient greater control over who the practitioner will be and the modality utilized. Natural medicine in its truest forms is holistic, and thus addresses at least three levels of healing: diminish the patients’ complaints and pain; understand the patients’ nature and lifestyle; and assist the patients in fulfilling their goals.
True healing empowers an individual to take responsibility for his or her own health and prosperity. Educating patients about a health and lifestyle methodology enhances their lives through consistent daily practices.
Natural forms of medicine are generally cost effective and easily accessed by low and middle income families. Natural medicine treatments range in price from $50 to $75 per treatment on average. Although paying out-of-pocket may be strenuous for some, it is still cheaper than other forms of medicine.
The best cure for any disease is prevention through early detection and medical intervention.  Natural medicine recognizes that no disease develops out of isolation – rather, it develops over many years based on the way we live or the way our family lived prior to our birth (genetic predisposition).
Naturalistic forms of medicine are far from being “voodoo” or “roots” medicine. They are valid, effective, scientific, and follow strict medical guidelines for treatments, sterilization and professional etiquette.
Natural medicine has been around since the birth of humankind, but over the past several centuries acupuncture/oriental medicine, homeopathy and ayurvedic medicine have risen in importance. All use differential diagnoses and all have been proven effective scientifically and medically. Acupuncture in particular has been the subject of numerous randomized, controlled trials and more than 35 systematic reviews. The National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization have evaluated the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and found it to be valuable in the treatment of numerous chronic and acute diseases.
Natural forms of medicine have become mainstream in America as they have been in other countries for decades. Traditional oriental and ayurvedic medicines have been around for more than 4,000 years. They have stood the test of time because they get results, at earlier stages of disease, without damaging side effects. In general, they may not work as quickly as pharmaceutical drugs, but they come with fewer side effects.
People who become practitioners of these forms of medicine attend graduate school programs and undergo strict academic courses of study. Acupuncturists must also pass a national board exam and be licensed and insured in the state where they practice.
Although naturalistic medicine does not use synthetic or pharmaceutical drugs, it does employ very powerful herbal and nutritional supplements, which are safe but effective weapons against disease. Laypeople, however, should remember that it is still best to seek a trained professional rather than attempting to self-treat without supervision.

Editor’s note: Dr. Abayomi Obadélé Meeks, B.S., D.Ac. L Ac. is a doctor of acupuncture and holistic medicine with more than 20 years experience. He is the first African American to be licensed to practice this medicine in Colorado. Meek is the founder of Moyo Healing and Cultural Arts Center Inc.