Question:
In many cases they're an ideal alternative, since they have lower risks (but not zero risks) ofadverse effects and they save the NHS a load of money. In other casesthey're taking on patients that were better off being referred elsewhere.Professional alternative therapists are told that any client/patient oftheir's ought to clear it with their GP first. The term "complementary"rather then "alternative" medicine is preferred over here.

Answer: Complementary is just something that hitches a ride on orthodox. I preferalternative---a real alternative. I agree about seeing a GP first for adiagnosis, but taking the drugs isn't a smart move in over 90% ofcases---arthritis, heart disease, cancer, alzheimer's etc

Why do you think they made it illegal for anyone but a MD to treat cancer?

The money. People would flock to naturopathic herbalists, naturopathichomeopaths, natural healers like Kelley, and so on.