Attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine from past to present

Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) are methods that are not intended to be proven by scientific methods like modern medicine practices and are adopted and applied by the general public based on experience, knowledge, and skill, which include various methods and practices that differ according to cultural differences and beliefs. The historical structuring of Darüşşifas in Anatolia, where T&CM methods are applied, started during the Seljuk period, and grew and developed during the Ottoman Empire. During the Ottoman Empire, many hospitals and pharmacies, leprosaria and asylums were established. During the Seljuk period, the science of medicine experienced its most spectacular period. The Seljuks also attached importance to hospitals and the structures supporting the hospitals such as pharmacies, leprosaria, asylums, medical madrasahs, thermal springs, hot springs and baths. Darüşşifas were institutions providing health services that functionally correspond to today's hospitals. In these places, therapeutic health services were provided to the local and non-local people in need. Apart from the name darüşşifa, the names "şifahane, maristan, bimaristan, darülsıha, darülafiye, darültıp" are also used. These names functionally correspond to darüşşifa. These institutions were public and foundation health service units, public and dynastic charitable organisations based on foundations. Darüşşifas were institutions that provide medical education as well as curative and preventive medicine services. The education here was an institution that trains students in the form of master-apprentice relationship. Those who received education here received "icazet" (diploma, professional document) from their teacher. During the reign of Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror, the functions of darüşşifa and medical academies developed at a very high level. Especially in this period, medical discussions were held in hospitals. During the reign of Fatih, the public was treated free of charge and medicines were distributed to the people in need without expecting anything in return. We understand from the baths next to the hospitals that cleanliness was very important during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Hospitals, baths and fountains were among the most important institutions they built in the places they conquered. Since these structures belonged to the foundation, the public could use them free of charge whether they are in need or not.