However the fundamental difference between ACM and conventional medicine is treatment of the overall person, not the disease. For example, an 'allergy' is not a disease, but rather a symptom of a physiological imbalance which is treated from many different aspects included improving the immune system. Diseases of the skin are not just treated with topical agents, but are treated internally with 'detoxifying' or 'cleansing' agents for areas such as the liver and bowel. Specific herbs are used for treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome, however discussion of dietary and lifestyle factors is always included. Herbal medicines are primarily whole extracts of plant material rather than extracts of an isolated constituent as with orthodox drugs.
Most herbal medicines used by practitioners are in the form of liquid concentrated extracts.
Herbal practitioners in Australia can practice as prime contact therapists and can dispense their own medicines. Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM has existed in Australia since the influx of Chinese migrants to the gold fields over 100 years ago. Although some herbs are common to both TCM and western herbal practitioners, most are different and need to be imported from overseas. Most TCM herbs are dispersed as dried chopped herbs and need to be prepared by the patient. Ayurvedic Medicine Ayurveda is defined as the science of life.