Trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


Sample Essay :
The term “alternative medicine”, in common parlance this refers to any health treatment not standard in modern medical practices. Beyond that, the alternative forms of medicine are very difficult to define as it is diverse largely. It includes the practices spanning exercise and diet, chiropractic adjustment, hypnosis, poking needles into one’s skin, and so on. Nowadays more and more people tend to lean on alternative medicine instead of conventional treatments. Some people, however, doubt its efficacy and contend that it is ineffective or dangerous at its worst part. In this instance, I firmly believe that it is not yet the time to doubt about the efficacy of alternative therapies, since many empirical evidences testify its success.

To begin with, the alternative forms of medicine have a rationale. While conventional medicine uses chemical compounds, the alternative medicines use herb, extracts, and even metal. Their success depends on how safely and appropriately these compounds are handled. For instance, at times asthmatic children are cured by steroid inhalers. Now many a children turn into natural treatments. Analyzing these medications, it is seen that they also contain steroids have sources from plant kingdom.

Similarly, acupressure also has rationale. The theory behind acupressure is that meridians are channels that circulate life energy throughout the body. The rationale holds that illness may occur when one of these meridians are clogged up; acupressure can streamline the blockage so that the energy can flow in normal pace restoring wellness.

Likewise, aromatherapies are becoming popular day by day. It uses essential oils extracted from leaves, seeds, roots, or blossoms of plants to promote healing. Many studies reveal that aromatherapy might calm anxiety, depression, and reduce pain.

Based on above discussion, it is not yet come to the point that the alternative medicine has little or no efficacy or in some cases, it is dangerous. I think alternative medicine might turn helplessness into hope. What I like to say is that many researches should be conducted to determine its uses and benefits.