Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approaches. Examples of whole medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional traditional Chinese medicine.
Definition from NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the US) website. For more information, please read the NCCAM Summary.
