WHO traditional medicine strategy - Relevance

Traditional medicine continues to play an important role in health care.
In many parts of the world, it is the preferred form of health care.  

Elsewhere, use of herbal medicines and so-called complementary and alternative therapies is increasing dramatically. 

There is no single determinant of popularity.

But cultural acceptability of traditional practices, along with perceptions of affordability, safety and efficacy, and questioning of the approaches of allopathic medicine, all play a role.
In view of this broad appeal, the general lack of research on the safety and efficacy of traditional medicines is therefore of great concern.