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Epidaurus · Treatment Guide · Alternative & Complementary Medicine

Going abroad for —

Other Traditional Medicine

Other systems including Tibetan, Korean, Thai traditional medicine

The country comparison

Which countries are best for other traditional medicine

The destinations ranked high→low under this lens — each with the reasoning behind its score, the cited evidence one click down, and its full report. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

19 / 19 Countries ranked

Researched and assessed by the Epidaurus editorial pipeline against our published scale. A country below the rule is not yet assessed enough — never ranked last.

  1. 1 South Korea KR 5.0/5 Good South Korea operates one of the world's most sophisticated traditional medicine systems through Korean Traditional Medicine (KTM), meeting and exceeding all Score 5 criteria. The country has 12 accredited universities... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • 12 accredited universities producing 750 certified Korean medicine doctors annually with 4-7 year rigorous curriculum
    • 22,074 licensed clinicians with 2,474 clinical specialists in eight departments demonstrating exceptional practitioner base
    • 581 dedicated Korean medicine hospitals plus 14,736 clinics providing comprehensive infrastructure
    • National Health Insurance coverage of Korean medicine since 1987—the first time an entire traditional medicine system was covered by national insurance worldwide
    • World-first accreditation system for herbal medicine quality control introduced by Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2018 with Korea Good Manufacturing Practice (KGMP) standards
    • 33,000 foreign medical tourists in 2024 representing 85% year-over-year growth with 90.2% satisfaction rate
    • Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine conducting extensive research with 51.9% of clinical trials funded by Ministry of Health and Welfare
    • Dual healthcare system with formal government regulation through Ministry of Health and Welfare and Institute of Korean Medicine Education and Evaluation
    • Unique Korean innovations including Chuna manual therapy adopted by UC Irvine School of Medicine and Sasang constitutional medicine
    • Integration with modern diagnostics including MRI and CT scanners at major facilities like Jaseng Hospital treating 250,000 patients annually

    Read the full South Korea report →

  2. 2 Japan JP 5.0/5 Good Japan demonstrates exceptional traditional medicine infrastructure centered on Kampo medicine, with comprehensive government integration through National Health Insurance coverage since 1967, mandatory inclusion in al... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • Kampo medicines covered by National Health Insurance as prescription pharmaceuticals since 1967; 148 formulas currently reimbursed
    • All 80 Japanese medical schools include mandatory Kampo curricula since 2001; 78 of 80 university hospitals maintain Kampo outpatient clinics
    • 191,653 licensed acupuncturists and 190,450 licensed moxibustionists registered as of 2023; approximately 32,100 dedicated clinics
    • Pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing under GMP standards (law 1987) with PMDA inspection, JADER national adverse event reporting, and standardization of marker compounds
    • 488 RCTs and 5 meta-analyses catalogued for Kampo formulations; 5 designated 'Kampo Best RCTs' in June 2024; specific evidence for post-surgical recovery and chemotherapy side effects
    • Kitasato University designated WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine in 1986; Kampo diagnostic patterns included in WHO ICD-11 effective January 2022
    • Strong professional organizations including JSOM (8,000+ physician members with specialist board certification), JKMA (industry GMP guidelines), JSAM, and MHLW regulatory oversight
    • International medical tourism infrastructure at major universities (Keio, Kyoto, Tohoku, Chiba) with multilingual coordination; Otsuka Kampo Clinic with full English-language services
    • Strategic expansion plan through JKMA's 'Future Vision for Kampo Medicines 2040' targeting domestic crude-drug cultivation and international expansion
    • Demonstrated real-world reliability through deployment in 2011 Tōhoku earthquake relief and COVID-19 pandemic response contexts

    Read the full Japan report →

  3. 3 Thailand TH 5.0/5 Good Thailand demonstrates exceptional development in Thai Traditional Medicine with comprehensive government recognition (National Institute established 1993, DTAM 2002), 21 universities offering bachelor's degrees and 5 ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • 21 universities offering accredited 4-year bachelor's degrees in Thai traditional medicine and 5 institutions offering master's degrees in TCAM, far exceeding the 3+ requirement
    • Over 47,000 licensed practitioners as of 2009: 17,001 in Thai traditional medicine, 23,409 in Thai traditional pharmacy, 5,735 in Thai traditional midwifery, 332 in Thai massage, and 660 Applied TTM practitioners
    • National Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine created in 1993 with Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine established in 2002, demonstrating formal government recognition and integration
    • 6,000 hospitals equipped with clinics having licensed TTM practitioners and 10,692 public health service facilities providing TTM services, including 95 regional/general hospitals, 733 community hospitals, and 9,864 tambon health promotion hospitals
    • Thailand has 60-63 JCI-accredited hospitals (highest in Southeast Asia, fifth globally), many incorporating TTM services, supporting medical tourism infrastructure requirement
    • Wat Pho Thai Massage School operates with UNESCO-recognized medical inscriptions, international accreditation, visa support, accommodation assistance, and documented course pricing ($200-$2,500 USD), exemplifying medical tourism accessibility
    • Published research evidence including studies showing traditional Thai massage achieving 25-80% pain reduction for chronic pain, RCT demonstrating efficacy of Thai herbal medicines for insomnia, and clinical practice guidelines for post-COVID-19 treatment
    • Siriraj Center of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine designated as WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, internationally recognized for advancing education, clinical service, and research integrating TTM with modern biomedicine
    • 2019 UNESCO recognition of Thai traditional massage as intangible cultural heritage, conferring global cultural heritage status
    • Almost 1 million people used traditional therapy under universal health scheme in fiscal year 2013, demonstrating integration into mainstream national healthcare with government subsidization

    Read the full Thailand report →

  4. 4 Turkey TR 4.0/5 Good Turkey demonstrates strong traditional medicine infrastructure through its formally recognized GETAT (Traditional and Complementary Medicine) framework established in 2014, with 23,712 certified practitioners operatin... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • 23,712 certified GETAT health professionals across 14 recognized practice categories with 6,378 specifically certified in hacamat (wet cupping) [Cupping, Leeching and Other Ancient Healing Methods - Al-Monitor - September 2025 - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/09/cupping-leeching-and-other-ancient-healing-methods-welcomed-turkish-hospitals]
    • GETAT regulation (October 27, 2014) officially recognizes 14-15 traditional practices; 15 standardized clinical guidelines published June 2025 [Türkiye Expands Traditional Medicine Access Under New Regulation - Daily Sabah - April 2026 - https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/turkiye-expands-traditional-medicine-access-under-new-regulation/news]
    • 1,540 GETAT units with Ministry of Health approval operating in 66 of 81 provinces with approximately 5,800 certified physicians [Cupping, Leeching and Other Ancient Healing Methods - Al-Monitor - September 2025]
    • Multiple university GETAT centers including Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University offering training across all 14 practice categories and Medipol University operating the first Ministry-approved Apitherapy Center [GETAT Application Center - Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University - accessed 2026 - https://aybu.edu.tr/getat/en/sayfa/1902]
    • Strong herbal medicine quality control through 2010 Regulation on Herbal Medicinal Products with Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK) oversight and GMP compliance enforcement [Healthcare Regulation 2024 in Turkey - Gün + Partners - 2024 - https://gun.av.tr/insights/guides/healthcare-regulation-2024-in-turkey]
    • Active academic research base including Journal of Apitherapy and Nature published in Turkey and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical studies in Frontiers in Pharmacology and Journal of Ethnopharmacology [An Overview of Turkish Folk Medicine - Yeşilada - Current Drug Delivery - 2013 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22998039/]
    • Deep indigenous botanical heritage with approximately 12,975 plant taxa including 4,157 endemic species forming basis for documented phytotherapy tradition [An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Taşköprü - Frontiers in Pharmacology/PMC - 2022 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9630845/]
    • Integration within JCI-accredited hospital infrastructure including Acibadem (4 Istanbul campuses), Biruni Hospital, and public university teaching hospitals with international patient services [Medical Tourism in Turkey: JCI-Accredited Hospitals - Medwise Health - accessed 2026 - https://medwisehealth.com/medical-tourism-in-turkey-safe-treatment-in-jci-accredited-hospitals/]
    • Anatolian-Ottoman medical heritage documented from Seljuk era (1113 CE) with established practice of hacamat and hirudotherapy in Anatolian and Islamic medical traditions [History of Islamic Medical Schools in Turkey's Territory - PMC/Balkan Medical Journal - 2020 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7590537/]
    • Cultural resonance for Muslim-majority patient populations seeking Islamic-heritage healing modalities in clinically safe, hospital-based settings [Cupping, Leeching and Other Ancient Healing Methods - Al-Monitor - September 2025]

    Read the full Turkey report →

  5. 5 India IN 4.0/5 Good India's traditional medicine systems (Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa) are exceptionally developed with 263-264 dedicated hospitals, 57-12 degree-granting colleges, and 52,000+ registered practitioners under government AYUS... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 8 cited points
    • Scale: 263 Unani hospitals with 4,686 beds, 264 Siddha hospitals, 57 Unani colleges and 12 Siddha colleges offering 5.5-year degree programs [Ministry of Ayush Annual Report 2024; Unani Medicine - Wikipedia]
    • Regulatory framework: Ministry of AYUSH oversees CCIM (Central Council of Indian Medicine), TNSMC (Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical Council), and CCRUM (Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine) with 22 institutes [Ministry of Ayush - Main Portal]
    • Practitioner base: Approximately 52,000 registered Unani practitioners; 1,000 Sowa-Rigpa practitioners concentrated in Himalayan regions [Unani Medicine - Wikipedia; National Institute for Sowa Rigpa - Drishti IAS]
    • Research infrastructure: CCRUM completed 130+ randomized clinical trials for Unani; India leads world in Siddha research output with peer-reviewed publications [India boosts Unani medicine research - NewKerala.com]
    • Quality assurance: Mandatory GMP compliance under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules; 1,229 Unani and 399 Siddha formulations standardized in pharmacopoeias; NABH accreditation at NIUM Bengaluru and NIS Chennai [GMP Requirements - QCI India; AYUSH Guidelines - Food Research Lab]
    • Medical tourism framework: AYUSH Visa introduced July 2023 (valid up to 5 years); only 344 visas issued in first 18 months indicating nascent infrastructure [Ayush 2024 - DD News]
    • International patient capacity: Approximately 5-6 major facilities with dedicated international services (NIUM, NIS, Men-Tsee-Khang Dharamsala, Majeedia Unani Hospital); most other hospitals serve predominantly domestic patients without English-language services [Medical Tourism Implications section]
    • Global reference institution: Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamsala functions as world headquarters for Tibetan medicine with 57 branch clinics and 3 wellness centers across India; documents international patient testimonials [Men-Tsee-Khang - Wikipedia; Men-Tsee-Khang Clinic Addresses]

    Read the full India report →

  6. 6 Malaysia MY 4.0/5 Good Malaysia demonstrates strong, officially recognized traditional medicine infrastructure matching the Score 4 exemplar the rubric explicitly names. The country has comprehensive statutory regulation (T&CM Act 2016), 16... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 9 cited points
    • Seven T&CM systems formally recognized under Act 775 (2016) with mandatory registration enforced April 1, 2024
    • 16 public hospitals integrate T&CM services including Urut Melayu, Varmam therapy, Shirodhara, and External Basti
    • 6,888+ registered T&CM practitioners across all systems; Traditional Malay Medicine and Islamic Medical Practice each represent substantial portions
    • Diploma Perubatan Tradisional Melayu (TMM) at Kolej Space UTM received full MQA accreditation in January 2026—first accredited program globally for this system
    • Peer-reviewed clinical evidence: 16 of 17 post-stroke patients showed significant improvement in Malaysian hospital T&CM units
    • World's first T&CM research guideline launched April 2023; NPRA maintains GMP inspection regime and pharmacovigilance system
    • Medical tourism infrastructure: 1.84 million international healthcare visitors in 2025 (RM3.35 billion); MYMT 2026 explicitly positions T&CM as strategic component
    • Strong regulatory framework with T&CM Council enforcing mandatory registration, but Siddha practitioners number fewer than 100
    • Adulteration risk documented: 11% of seized THM products (2008–2014) confirmed adulterated, predominantly from gray market imports

    Read the full Malaysia report →

  7. 7 Brazil BR 3.5/5 Moderate Brazil possesses extraordinary traditional medicine heritage spanning 391 indigenous ethnicities, Afro-Brazilian systems, and folk medicine, with official government integration into the SUS (9+ million Brazilians ser... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 9 cited points
    • Brazil home to 1.69 million indigenous people from 391 ethnicities with living traditional medicine systems including pajelança, medicinal plants, Ayahuasca, and Kambo
    • Official government recognition through PNPIC (2006), PNPMF (2006), and CNS Resolution 726/2023 mandating indigenous medicine integration into SUS health worker training
    • 21,000 primary care SUS facilities offering integrative practices; 800+ Farmácia Viva municipal programs; 9+ million Brazilians served with 70% increase 2022-2024
    • NO government-accredited university degree programs in indigenous or Afro-Brazilian medicine; knowledge transmitted through apprenticeship and kinship networks
    • Only one dedicated indigenous medicine center: Centro de Medicina Indígena Bahserikowi (Manaus, 2017); no formal licensing or adverse event monitoring for folk healers
    • Medical tourism infrastructure mainly limited to 48+ ayahuasca retreat centers; traditional healers operate outside formal tourism systems without English-language services
    • Extensive ethnopharmacological research base with hundreds of peer-reviewed publications annually; ANVISA regulatory framework with GMP standards for commercial herbal medicines
    • Documented safety concerns: 31.8% of herbal medicine samples exceed bacterial contamination limits, 31.0% exceed fungal limits
    • Brazil hosted 3rd WCTCIM in October 2025 with 70 countries, demonstrating emerging international leadership in traditional medicine integration

    Read the full Brazil report →

  8. 8 Colombia CO 3.5/5 Moderate Colombia demonstrates stronger-than-typical Score 3 infrastructure due to constitutional protection of indigenous healing rights, 115 active indigenous healing traditions with ~1,600+ documented practitioners (traditi... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 8 cited points
    • Constitutional and legal framework: Articles 7 and 246 of 1991 Constitution grant indigenous healing rights; Decree 480 of 2025 establishes SISPI as state policy for indigenous health systems across 115 peoples
    • Diverse traditional medicine systems: 115 recognized indigenous peoples with active healing traditions including yagé/Amazonian plant medicine, mamo (Arhuaco/Sierra Nevada), Emberá jaibana, Wayuu, Afro-Colombian healers, and curanderismo
    • Medical tourism infrastructure: Approximately 21 yagé retreat centers operating (2025) with English-language services, medical screening, on-site doctors, and transparent pricing ($1,100–$1,850 weekly programs)
    • Practitioner base: ~1,600 traditional midwives represented by Asoparupa in Pacific region alone; mamos undergo 9-15 years of specialized training
    • Quality standards: INVIMA regulates 133 officially approved medicinal plants for phytotherapeutic products; however, no licensing system exists for curanderos, yerbateros, sobanderos or most traditional healers
    • UNESCO heritage recognition: Traditional Colombian midwifery inscribed on UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (December 2023)
    • Research base: Growing academic publications in Frontiers in Pharmacology, PubMed, and ethnopharmacology journals; 2026 review documented 42 Colombian plant species in indigenous health systems but noted 'substantial gaps between traditional knowledge and pharmacological or clinical research'
    • No dedicated traditional medicine hospitals or integrated hospital departments within the national healthcare system

    Read the full Colombia report →

  9. 9 United Arab Emirates AE 3.0/5 Moderate The UAE has official government recognition and formal regulation of Unani medicine and Hijama through the MoHAP TCAM framework (operating since 2002), with licensing exams, credential verification, and multiple DHA/D... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • Approximately 450 licensed TCAM practitioners across all disciplines as of 2018, with official recognition of Unani medicine and Hijama
    • Multiple DHA/DOH-licensed clinics identified: House of Nature Medical Center, Ayush Care, Hijama Center Dubai, 7 Dimensions, Natural Healing, plus Thai massage venues
    • No UAE-based educational institutions for Unani, Thai, Korean, or Kampo medicine; all practitioners educated abroad
    • Formal MoHAP TCAM licensing system with exams (written/oral), credential verification via DataFlow, and October 2024 unified national platform
    • 64% of traditional herb samples from Dubai markets exceeded WHO lead limits in 2015; ongoing herbal contamination concern despite mandatory product registration
    • 98.7% of UAE residents use herbal medicines, primarily based on family knowledge rather than professional guidance
    • Unlicensed practitioners documented as significant problem, making fraudulent claims and operating from informal settings
    • Traditional medicine not actively marketed to international medical tourists; services principally serve resident South Asian and Muslim expat communities
    • English-language services available at most licensed clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
    • Government commitment to integrate traditional Emirati remedies into modern clinics announced at World Government Summit 2026, but not yet implemented

    Read the full United Arab Emirates report →

  10. 10 United Kingdom GB 3.0/5 Moderate The UK has several genuine traditional medicine systems (Tibetan medicine, Japanese Kampo, Unani Tibb) with credentialed practitioners (estimated 20-50 total) organized through voluntary professional associations and ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Three formally trained Tibetan doctors and approximately 20 Kampo practitioners identified across the UK [Soktsang Tibetan Medicine - 2024 - https://www.soktsangtibetanmedicine.co.uk/] [Kampo UK — Introduction of Japanese Herbal Medicine - Kampo UK - 2024 - https://kampouk.org/]
    • CUTAM and COMHA offer diploma programmes in Unani Tibb accredited by AUTAM professional association [College of Unani Tibb and Alternative Medicine - CUTAM - 2024 - https://cutam.org.uk/about/]
    • Approximately 3-5 small dedicated clinics including Kailash Centre, Soktsang clinics in Edinburgh/Glasgow/London, and CUTAM clinics [Welcome to the Kailash Centre - Kailash Centre - 2024 - http://www.kailashcentre.org/tamdin-bradley]
    • No government recognition or NHS integration; government declined statutory regulation in 2017 [Regulation of herbal medicines - House of Commons Library - 2023 - https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06002/]
    • UK is explicitly not a medical tourism destination for these systems; no facilities offer international patient packages or marketing [Medical Tourism Implications section of report citing clinic websites]
    • Limited published research; systematic review found only small number of Western clinical trials on Tibetan medicine; no UK-specific clinical data identified [Tibetan Medicine: A Systematic Review - PMC - 2013 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3638583/]
    • All professional associations are voluntary with no enforcement powers [Statutory Regulation in the UK - EHTPA - 2023 - https://ehtpa.org/regulation/statutory-regulation-in-the-uk/]

    Read the full United Kingdom report →

  11. 11 Hungary HU 3.0/5 Moderate Hungary has limited but identifiable traditional medicine infrastructure with formal regulatory recognition through the OKFØ natural healer certification system (1997) and legal status for Tibetan medicine. Multiple t... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • OKFŐ certification system administers state-recognized natural healer exams since 1997, covering Thai massage, acupressure, reflexology, and phytotherapy
    • Hungarian folk medicine documented with 600+ plant species in ethnomedicine traditions
    • Foundation for Tibetan Medicine and Culture established 2017; handful of physician-practitioners offer Tibetan medicine in Budapest
    • Multiple Thai massage clinics throughout Budapest with Thailand-trained therapists; 60-minute session costs €20-55, highly accessible by European standards
    • Calendula Clinic (est. 1991) integrates Tibetan, Unani, and Chinese systems with medically qualified physician staff
    • Magyar Természetgyógyászok Szövetsége professional association established 1992; multiple training academies operate (36+ cohorts as of 2026)
    • Phytotherapy taught at Semmelweis University; Hungarian Phytotherapy Study Group established 2018
    • Hungary's apitherapy tradition historically rooted (Dr. Bodog F. Beck, founder of modern apitherapy, 1871-1942); active national association
    • No dedicated traditional medicine hospitals; no JCI or equivalent international accreditation identified
    • Not a primary medical tourism draw; Hungary's medical tourism identity is dental, orthopedic, and surgical—not traditional medicine systems

    Read the full Hungary report →

  12. 12 Jordan JO 3.0/5 Moderate Jordan exhibits moderate traditional medicine infrastructure centered on Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM), hijama (wet cupping), and evidence-backed climatotherapy at the Dead Sea, but lacks the formal i... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 8 cited points
    • No formal government recognition: Jordan lacked a national policy on traditional/complementary medicine as of 2019 WHO Global Report [WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2019 - WHO - 2019 - https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978924151536]
    • Zero formal educational institutions: No universities in Jordan offer degree programs in TAIM, Unani, or related traditional medicine systems; all herbalists trained exclusively through apprenticeship [Herbal Medicine in Jordan — Commonly Used Herbs - PubMed - 2003 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14611882/]
    • No practitioner licensing: Neither herbalists nor cupping practitioners are subject to national licensing requirements; 'none were licensed for this particular purpose' [Herbal Medicine in Jordan with Special Emphasis on Less Commonly Used Herbs - ScienceDirect - 2000 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874100002154]
    • 2-4 major facilities serving tourists: Dead Sea Spa Hotel Medical Centre and Evason Ma'in offer structured international programs; dispersed urban clinics serve primarily domestic populations [Dead Sea Spa Hotel — Climathic Therapy - Dead Sea Spa Hotel - 2024 - https://dssh.jo/en/climathic-therapy-dead-sea/]
    • Pharmacovigilance gaps: 63.1% of Jordanian pharmacists unaware of herb-drug interactions; 41.2% would not report adverse reactions [Herbal Supplements in Jordan - PMC - 2022 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9335029/]
    • Some published research: 2024 peer-reviewed study on wet cupping haematological effects at Amman centre; Dead Sea climatotherapy with 85.5% success rate for psoriasis [Wet Cupping Impact on Jordanian Team Players - Heliyon - 2024 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024053611]
    • Limited international medical tourism marketing: No comprehensive treatment packages for TAIM or hijama formally marketed to foreign patients, despite 235,000+ annual inbound medical tourists [Jordan Strengthens Position as Regional Hub for Medical Tourism - Xinhua - 2026 - https://english.news.cn/20260221/5c7d61da236544deb5d0a075568b7494/c.html]
    • High domestic herbal use but safety concerns: 57.2% of Jordanians use medicinal herbs; 25.7% experienced side effects; only 9.5% discuss use with physicians [Jordanian Use of and Beliefs Concerning the Efficacy of Medicinal Plants - PMC - 2023 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10181450/]

    Read the full Jordan report →

  13. 13 Mexico MX 3.0/5 Moderate Mexico's Curanderismo system is widely practiced (62% population) with some formal infrastructure through CEDEHC's 25-year educational program (21,000+ graduates) and government recognition via CITEMI, but lacks stand... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • CEDEHC in Cuernavaca has trained over 21,000 curanderos through 3-year certification programs over 25 years with recognized support from the Mexican Secretary of Health
    • 62% of Mexican population visits curanderos, with traditional medicine approaches preventative and lifestyle-oriented compared to allopathic methods
    • Mexico has 3,000+ documented medicinal plant species and approximately 1,045 monographs in traditional medicine digital libraries, establishing extensive herbal pharmacopeia
    • No dedicated traditional medicine hospitals; services primarily through wellness retreats (Yaan Healing Sanctuary, Nômade Temple Tulum, Fairmont Mayakoba), individual practitioner clinics, and CEDEHC treatment center
    • General Health Law Article 79 places traditional healers in legal gray area, with most practitioners not required to meet formal government licensing standards
    • Herbal medicine quality concerns documented including hepatotoxicity risks and inconsistent quality control, with enforcement of Mexican Herbal Pharmacopeia standards inconsistent outside commercial manufacturers
    • Medical tourism accessibility limited by language barriers (practitioners primarily Spanish-speaking) and wellness tourism marketing rather than formal medical tourism infrastructure for specific health conditions

    Read the full Mexico report →

  14. 14 United States US 2.0/5 Poor The United States presents a fragmented landscape for traditional medicine systems beyond TCM and Ayurveda, with practices existing informally across isolated practitioners rather than organized infrastructure. While ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Native American traditional medicine is largely informal with only 11% of MD-granting institutions offering AI/AN health curricula and less than 1% of medical students/physicians identifying as AI/AN
    • Korean Traditional Medicine and Japanese Kampo are taught only as specializations after TCM foundation in US Eastern medicine schools, with Kampo practitioners not legally recognized or licensed in North America
    • Tibetan Medicine has few qualified practitioners in the US with no official accreditation or standardization procedure established, represented by isolated individual practitioners like Dr. Keyzom Bhutti
    • Unani Medicine has minimal presence with American Institute of Unani Medicine offering only online courses and no unified professional association or standardized education system
    • No dedicated traditional medicine hospitals, major clinical facilities, or organized medical tourism infrastructure exists for any of these systems beyond TCM and Ayurveda
    • US medical tourists primarily travel outbound to Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, and South America rather than seeking traditional medicine domestically

    Read the full United States report →

  15. 15 Poland PL 2.0/5 Poor Poland has minimal formal infrastructure for traditional medicine systems beyond TCM and Ayurveda. While Polish folk medicine has deep historical roots and a single-practitioner Tibetan Medicine Institute operates in ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • Only one dedicated traditional medicine facility in Poland: Institute of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in Warsaw, founded 2009 with single Men-Tsee-Khang-trained practitioner
    • Herbalist-phytotherapist designation (code 323012) listed as paramedical profession since 2014 but with NO mandatory education, licensing exams, or continuing education requirements
    • No degree-granting institutions: University of Warsaw offers only one elective 90-minute course on medicinal herbs; no bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programs in traditional medicine systems
    • 2023 Act on Certain Medical Professions (in force March 2024) explicitly excluded traditional medicine practitioners from mandatory registration and professional oversight
    • Thai Traditional Medicine presence limited to wellness massage salons without comprehensive traditional medicine modalities (no herbal internal medicine, diagnosis, dietary therapy)
    • Polish physicians demonstrate strong institutional opposition: 95% believe alternative medicine can be dangerous; 67.2% advocate actively combating it
    • No patient-level quality control systems: traditional practitioners operate outside any adverse-event reporting, practice guidelines, or national safety monitoring
    • Medical tourism infrastructure absent: Poland's strong medical tourism sector (700,000+ annual visitors) focuses on dentistry, cosmetic surgery, orthopedics with no traditional medicine marketing or treatment packages
    • Kampo pharmaceutical products (Tsumura, Kracie) not commercially available in Poland; only informal practitioner-based herbal formulation
    • Regulatory vacuum creates risk of credential fraud: anyone can legally style themselves herbalist or traditional practitioner without verification of training or qualifications

    Read the full Poland report →

  16. 16 Singapore SG 2.0/5 Poor Singapore has marginally developed non-TCM traditional medicine infrastructure. Two dedicated Siddha clinics and a professional association (SiddhaPAS) exist, plus HSA product safety regulation and ICH recognition of ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • No formal educational institutions in Singapore offering degrees in Siddha, TMM, or other non-TCM traditional medicine systems
    • Approximately 2 dedicated Siddha medicine clinics (Nalam Siddha Care, Nithyam Siddha Clinic) but fewer than 20 identifiable practitioners total
    • Singapore mandates registration only for TCM practitioners; non-TCM traditional medicine practitioners practice without mandatory licensing
    • Traditional Malay Medicine is declining and operates primarily through informal, home-based, apprenticeship-based practice
    • Siddha Practitioners Association of Singapore exists as professional body but membership is voluntary, not mandatory
    • HSA enforces product safety standards (heavy metals, microbials, labeling restrictions) for traditional medicinal products
    • Traditional Malay Medicine inscribed in Singapore's Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory (April 2018) providing cultural recognition
    • No published peer-reviewed research on Siddha or TMM clinical outcomes from Singapore
    • No dedicated international patient services, treatment packages, or medical tourism marketing for non-TCM traditional medicine
    • Future regulatory pathway exists through Healthcare Services Act 2020 which includes traditional medicine in potential licensing scope

    Read the full Singapore report →

  17. 17 Spain ES 2.0/5 Poor Spain's traditional medicine landscape lacks government recognition, formal credentialing, or medical tourism infrastructure. While indigenous folk herbal traditions are documented and Thai massage clinics exist as co... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • No government recognition of any traditional medicine system beyond folk herbal practice
    • Spanish folk herbal medicine used by 89.6% in Madrid survey but completely unregulated and informal
    • Thai massage commercial clinics operate in Barcelona (Thai Chada, Royal Thai, Mantra, Ritual Thai) and Madrid as wellness centers, not medical facilities
    • No formal licensing, registration, or certification system for traditional medicine practitioners
    • No dedicated traditional medicine hospitals or integrated departments within public hospitals
    • Spain's 2018 Plan against Pseudotherapies classified cupping and other traditional practices as unsafe or lacking evidence
    • COFENAT professional body with 10,000+ members holds no statutory regulatory authority
    • Tibetan, Korean Hanbang, Japanese Kampo, Unani, and Siddha medicine have no documented formal presence
    • Traditional medicine systems not marketed or promoted for medical tourism
    • Strong ethnobotanical research documentation but no clinical trial evidence or medical tourism infrastructure

    Read the full Spain report →

  18. 18 Germany DE 2.0/5 Poor Germany maintains formal physician continuing education programs in Tibetan Medicine and Japanese Kampo through DÄGfA (since 1993) and has published clinical research on Kampo applications, which exceeds typical Score... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • DÄGfA offers formal 110-hour diploma programs in both Tibetan Medicine and Japanese Kampo since 1993, representing three decades of established physician training
    • Sorig Khang International (global Tibetan Medicine organization) legally headquartered in Bad Rappenau, Germany since October 2016, with operations in 40+ countries
    • ISJKM (International Society for Japanese Kampo Medicine) leadership both German-based: President Silke Cameron (Göttingen) and Honorary President Heidrun Reißenweber-Hewel
    • Published research: 2023 multicenter clinical study of 66 German patients using YamatoGast (rikkunshito) with 78.9% responder rate; 2025 Traditional & Kampo Medicine publication on Kampo for pain management
    • Visiting amchi (Men-Tsee-Khang trained Tibetan physicians) available for consultations only 3 times yearly at Buddhist cultural centers (Samten Dargye Ling)
    • Zero dedicated Tibetan, Kampo, Korean, Thai, Unani, or Siddha traditional medicine hospitals or specialized clinics identified
    • No packaged treatment programs designed for international medical tourists; consultations primarily in German with minimal English-language infrastructure
    • Fewer than 20 identifiable specialist practitioners in these systems; clinical access scattered among integrative medicine physicians
    • Korean Traditional Medicine, Thai Traditional Medicine, Unani Medicine, and Siddha Medicine completely absent from formal German healthcare
    • YamatoGast (rikkunshito) registered under EU traditional herbal medicine standards, but Tibetan herbal formulas remain in regulatory gray area without formal German registration

    Read the full Germany report →

  19. 19 Israel IL 2.0/5 Poor Israel's traditional medicine systems (excluding TCM and Ayurveda) exist as fragmented folk practices without government recognition or formal integration into healthcare. With only 31 documented Arab traditional medi... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • Only 31 documented Arab traditional medicine practitioners across Israel, the Golan Heights, and West Bank
    • No government licensing or formal educational institutions for any traditional medicine system beyond TCM/Ayurveda
    • No dedicated traditional medicine hospitals or integrated departments within general hospitals
    • 29% of medicinal plants tested positive for aflatoxin B1 contamination; heavy metals and pesticide residues documented
    • Traditional practitioners described as aging with knowledge not transmitted to younger generations, marking likely end of traditional lineages
    • Traditional medicine not marketed to international patients; no English-language treatment packages or coordinated medical tourism programs
    • Shiatsu more developed than ethnic systems with 650-hour training and Israeli Shiatsu Association standards, but operates in private clinics without government accreditation
    • Multiple fragmented ethnic systems (Bedouin, Ethiopian, Yemenite, Iranian, Iraqi, Druze) with no government recognition or integration
    • No adverse event reporting system or quality control standards outside registered pharmaceutical products
    • Language barriers and cultural isolation limit accessibility; most traditional healers operate in Arabic only

    Read the full Israel report →

Reading the field

What separates a good programme from a dangerous one

Every country above is graded against this published scale — the same 1–5 rubric for other traditional medicine, top to bottom. How we score →

  1. 5/5 Excellent

    **Exceptional traditional medicine infrastructure and quality:** - Country has highly developed, government-recognized traditional medicine system(s) with formal integration into national healthcare - 3+ accredited universities/colleges offering degree programs in traditional medicine (excluding TCM/Ayurveda) - 100+ certified/licensed practitioners of these traditional systems - 5+ dedicated traditional medicine hospitals OR 20+ integrated hospital departments - Strong quality control: standardized herbal medicine production, clinical practice guidelines, safety monitoring systems - Active medical tourism infrastructure: 10+ facilities with international patient services, multilingual staff, documented treatment packages - Published research evidence supporting efficacy and safety in peer-reviewed journals - Professional regulatory bodies with enforceable standards - International reputation as a destination for these specific traditional medicine systems **Examples**: Thailand (for Thai Traditional Medicine), South Korea (for Korean Traditional Medicine), Japan (for Kampo), Mongolia (for Tibetan Medicine)

  2. 4/5 Good

    **Strong traditional medicine presence with solid infrastructure:** - Traditional medicine system(s) officially recognized with some healthcare system integration - 1-2 degree-granting institutions or equivalent formal training programs - 50-100 certified/licensed practitioners - 2-4 dedicated facilities OR 10-20 integrated departments - Basic quality control measures: some standardization, herb sourcing guidelines - Medical tourism accessibility: 5-10 facilities serving international patients, some English language capacity - Some published research or documentation of clinical outcomes - Professional associations exist with voluntary or mandatory membership - Growing reputation among medical tourists seeking these specific modalities **Examples**: Malaysia (for Malay traditional medicine), Bhutan (for Tibetan Medicine), Vietnam (for traditional Vietnamese medicine)

  3. 3/5 Moderate

    **Traditional medicine present but with limited formal infrastructure:** - Traditional practices exist but may have partial or unofficial recognition - Informal training programs or apprenticeship-based education (limited formal degrees) - 20-50 identifiable practitioners - 1-2 specialized facilities or informal practice settings - Limited quality control: inconsistent standards, variable practitioner quality - Minimal medical tourism infrastructure: language barriers, limited international patient services - Little to no published research; primarily anecdotal evidence - Informal or nascent professional organizations - Occasional international patients but not systematically promoted **Examples**: Nepal (for Tibetan Medicine), Indonesia (for Jamu), Philippines (for hilot and traditional healing)

  4. 2/5 Poor

    **Traditional medicine marginally present with minimal infrastructure:** - Traditional practices exist primarily as folk medicine without formal recognition - No formal educational institutions (knowledge passed informally) - Fewer than 20 identifiable practitioners or very fragmented practice - No dedicated facilities; practitioners work from homes or informal settings - No quality control or standardization - Not accessible to medical tourists: no English services, no formal treatment programs - No research base or documentation - No professional organization or regulation **Examples**: Countries where indigenous healing exists but is not formalized or recognized

  5. 1/5 Very Poor / Unavailable

    **Traditional medicine systems absent or not meaningfully available:** - No traditional medicine systems present beyond TCM/Ayurveda (which are scored separately) - No indigenous traditional medicine practices documented - Traditional healing actively discouraged or banned - Completely unavailable to medical tourists - No relevant infrastructure, practitioners, or facilities **Examples**: Countries with no indigenous traditional medicine traditions and no import of non-TCM/Ayurveda systems

The reports

The full country reports under this lens

Each destination we have assessed has a full, cited report — the detailed analysis behind its score. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

Clinics & providers

The clinics our research names

Named hospitals, clinics and centres cited across these findings — each carrying the specialties our reports record. Follow one to the reports behind it.

References

The sources behind these assessments

The distinct sources cited across these published reports — every finding carries its own citations; this is the union, each linking back to the reports that lean on it.

  1. Untitled source www.estaraprograms.com/partners.html Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  2. Untitled source www.itmonline.org/arts/tibetmed.htm Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in United States
  3. Untitled source www.kailashcentre.org/tibetan-medicine Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in United Kingdom
  4. Untitled source aihschgo.org/four-sacred-medicines Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in United States
  5. Untitled source altrus.org/how-to-verify-if-a-doctor-is-board-certified-in-mexico Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  6. Untitled source americanhealthtourism.org/medical-tourism-mexico Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  7. Untitled source anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/maq.12049 Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Israel
  8. Untitled source bajahealthcluster.mx/medical-tourism-in-tijuana-an-international-benchmark-for-health-and-wellness Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  9. Untitled source blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/onehealth/2021/06/21/student-blog-kampo Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in United States
  10. Untitled source bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-019-2652-z Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Thailand
  11. Untitled source bznthaibodywork.com/faqs Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in United States
  12. Untitled source chadathaibudapest.hu/en Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Hungary
  13. Untitled source chicanos.unm.edu/people/faculty/mario-del-angel-guevara/index.html Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  14. Untitled source clinicsoncall.com/en/blog/thailands-top-medical-procedures-for-international-patients Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Thailand
  15. Untitled source continuinged.unm.edu/course/4351&showInternal=true Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  16. Untitled source continuinged.unm.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=3683072&selectedProgramAreaId=1008962&selectedProgramStreamId=1009004 Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  17. Untitled source csh.umn.edu/academics/focus-areas/tibetan-healing-initiative Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in United States
  18. Untitled source curanderoproject.com/2025/08/20/who-is-a-curandero Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  19. Untitled source digitalrepository.unm.edu/ctma Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  20. Untitled source doi.org/10.21149/15802 Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico
  21. Untitled source doinasia.com/thailand-medical-tourism-strategies Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Thailand
  22. Untitled source dokodemo.world/en/category/2923 Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in United States
  23. Untitled source en.mfu.ac.th/admission/programmes/bachelors-degree/school-of-integrative-medicine/bachelor-of-applied-thai-traditional-medicine-programme/bachelor-of-applied-thai-traditional-medicine-programme.html Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Thailand
  24. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Commission_for_the_Protection_against_Sanitary_Risk Cited in Other Traditional Medicine in Mexico

Explore the source archive →

In plain language

Start exploring the knowledge base

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Where to go from here · Other Traditional Medicine

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