Organotherapy
Organotherapy
Organotherapy (pronounced: or-gan-o-ther-a-py) is a form of medical treatment that involves the use of organs or tissues from animals to treat human diseases or disorders. The term is derived from the Greek words "organon" meaning tool or instrument, and "therapeia" meaning healing or treatment.
History
Organotherapy has its roots in ancient medicine, where it was believed that consuming the organs of a healthy animal could help to heal the same organ in a human. This practice was particularly prevalent in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine, where it is still used today.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, organotherapy became popular in Western medicine following the work of Emile-Charles Achard and Charles-Edouard Brown-Séquard. They pioneered the use of extracts from animal glands, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands, to treat conditions like hypothyroidism and Addison's disease.
Modern Use
Today, organotherapy is less commonly used in mainstream medicine, but it still has a place in certain treatments. For example, Desiccated Thyroid is a form of organotherapy used to treat hypothyroidism. It involves the use of dried and powdered animal thyroid glands.
Criticisms
Despite its historical use, organotherapy has been criticized for its lack of scientific evidence. Many modern medical practitioners argue that the benefits of organotherapy are largely placebo, and that the practice can lead to serious side effects, such as allergic reactions.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Organotherapy
- Wikipedia's article - Organotherapy
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