A comprehensive overview of how complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and traditional medicine (TM) affect women’s reproductive health, this volume brings together a diverse collection of perspectives from the field to explore the role of CAM and TM across cultures. Providing a detailed analysis, authors address the cultural values and medicinal uses of CAM and TM for reproductive health among women in different sociocultural environments and geographic settings. Maria Costanza Torri and Jennie Hornosty’s edited collection explores how traditional practices can improve the well-being of women and highlights the differences and complementarities between traditional medicine and biomedicine. Accessible and pedagogically rich, this is a crucial contribution to medical anthropology, sociology of health and medicine, women’s health, public health, and health policy.

Jennie M. Hornosty's profile page

Maria Costanza Torri's profile page

Dr. Maria Costanza Torri is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of New Brunswick.

Dr. Jennie M. Hornosty is a retired Adjunct Professor of Sociology at the University of New Brunswick.

“This collection strongly supports the need for midwifery and complementary medicine, and it demonstrates through the research how valuable and important this health service is for women…. The cases studied were ideal for showing how midwifery promotes women’s health and gives them a strong nurturing element during the miraculous but painful time of delivering a child.”— “Dr. Nancy-Angel Doetzel, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Mount Royal University

“Complementary, Alternative, and Traditional Medicine is a must-read for those looking for a global perspective on the current use of complementary and traditional therapies in the treatment of infertility and other prominent women’s health issues. Using an assortment of case studies from around the world, it provides a comprehensive perspective on a patient’s choice and decision-making process when selecting a particular CAM therapy…. Moreover, its pedagogical value to any practitioner or teacher attempting to help others make a critical and informed decision about their health-care choices cannot be overlooked.”— “Dr. Alistair Dias, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Human Biology Program, University of Toronto