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The idea that western medicine may in fact not be the one and only solution to all health issues is one that has resonated with me. Western medicine, and the drugs that come along with it, is a relative newcomer in the grand scheme of things. While there have undoubtedly been some drastic improvements in treatments, as evidenced by the increased lifespan of many populations, this does not mean that some of the older, more traditional medications were not useful. In fact, if you go into any grocery store, pharmacy, or vitamin store, you will see hundreds of different vitamins, oils, and who knows what else neatly packaged into pills for convenience, many of which are only refined versions of some alternative medicines. Many doctors will even suggest to their patients that they take certain supplements, for whatever reason. While there have been some definite changes, mainly the packaging of everything into pills, there is little difference between these pills, and their less refined, but still useful precursors that are still used today in non-western medicine. I guess my question really is, are all of these supplements really all that much better, just because they come neatly packaged, and are sold in franchised stores? Is the only reason that western medicine has become so widely accepted, and alternative medicines so criticized, the fact that it comes nicely packaged, tied with a pretty bow? As a society, can we afford to remain so apathetic, or is it our duty to question what we’ve been told, if only to reaffirm that the current healthcare system is truly the best one for society as a whole?