During recent years 'alternative medicine' has achieved measured acceptance with improved focus on approaches being perceived as "complementary" or "integrative" to traditional medicine. Speculatively, conventional wisdom appreciates that modern medicine's historical origins were fraught with trial and error to achieve a measure of enlightened success. From time immemorial, mankind's plight for illusive health is toasted simultaneously with wealth and happiness. Although not in disagreement with this hearty toast, as a non-profit institution for the benefit and relief of poverty and medical health under-privilege, our dominant charitable objective provides donations and research grants through Integrative Medicine innovations. With membership open to the general public, we promote research using solid experimental design for statistical validation, publication and peer review, offering international general public website health assistance freely in forums and current information dissemination, scientific reports and projects throughout the world.

In a 1998 national discussion paper the then AMA president stated, "It is time to have more constructive dialogue, in the interest of maximising patient health with the full spectrum of proven practices. As evidence emerges that some complementary medicines are effective, then it becomes ethically impossible for the medical profession to ignore them. If such products are being widely used, then it becomes dangerous to ignore the potentially beneficial or adverse effects when used in conjunction with mainstream medicines or in conjunction with other herbs. On the other hand, if the evidence does not support the use of particular complementary medicines or therapies, it is crucial that consumers and mainstream and complementary practitioners be informed. If the medical profession is to work constructively with practitioners of particular complementary therapies, this can only be on the basis of evidence of the effectiveness and safety of those therapies. In the near future, such evidence will be supported by high quality research. In specific medical specialties such as obstetrics and gynaecology, there is growing attention to particular complementary medicines and therapies."

Around 17,000 complementary medicinal products are approved for marketing in Australia. Australian Health Commission research concludes that Australians spend annually more than $M930 on complementary medicines and therapies. Accordingly, accurate figures reported by the Royal College of General Practitioners revealed that for 1992-1996, the number of GP's who included complementary medicine with their daily practice increased from 2000 to 4000 doctors. In the Swinburne Graduate School of Integrative Medicine's handbook, the AIMA emeritus president mentions that in Europe and especially France, up to 50% of general practitioners use various forms of complementary medicines including herbal preparations and acupuncture. On ICIM's inauguration, research revealed that two thirds of the Australian population use complementary medicine and therapies.

Regardless of superlative health care innovations and claims, a degree of sagely caution is expressed by the ICIM because solid scientific research for all forms of traditional and complementary health treatment is imperative. During our diligent quest for health and increased longevity, we must be mindful of the crucial balance between medical fact and fiction and in particular when serving those less fortunate due to financial impoverishment. Our scientific voyages in Integrative Medicine should be plotted wisely with benevolence in the realities of physical and psychological security seeking hubbubs because life is precious but inevitably, remains impermanent. Historically, spontaneous scientific discoveries occur by chance while simultaneously others constrained by systematic research, achieve pragmatic miracles in daily pharmaceutical and surgical advances. During Mind/Body Medicine's advent, multidisciplinary approaches reveal innumerable innovations from high-tech computerised biofeedback or ancient meditation or yoga to twilight learning to name a few. While many are familiar with the wide range of healing through prayer and meditation, it would be remiss to neglect the place of spiritual healing through well-attested ministries in various cultures like Judaism, Buddhism and Christianity, etc. Replete examples focus historically on healing both physically and spiritually because notably religious followers apply faith in healing.

Unlike mainstream medicine the expansive and diverse ranges of complementary medicines and therapies preclude appropriately stringent academic standards for proper regulation. Thus, ICIM embraces vigilance, protection and safety of the general public and patients at risk, in accordance with the Council's creed and professional standards through its precise code of ethics. Our approach enhances professionalism through recognised adherence to ethical conduct, as conditional entry criteria. Continuing educational reinforcement is achieved through periodic cross-cultural bulletins, focused squarely on positive or even irregular examples of research for wholesome promotion. ICIM's most dominant charitable purpose is whatever really works for effective patient care, safety and prevention related to the health welfare of the financially impoverished. This premise reflects sagely wisdom expressed by the eminent psychologist and grandfather of psychiatry, Dr Carl G. Jung. When asked of the future of modern medicine he retorted, "If it work's, I'm for it but if it doesn't, I'm against it!" And of humanity's future plight he pondered ominously, "Mankind's greatest enemy is man himself".