Herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractics and massage. It used to be that alternative therapies like these were ignored by many doctors, but that is changing.

Due to public demand and an increasing amount of positive research, many doctors are embracing some alternative therapies.

So how do you know if the herb you are taking or therapy you are trying is safe? We get some answers from our partners at the Mayo Clinic.

Alternative medicine is big business. Every year consumers spend billions of dollars on therapies such as herbal supplements, massage and acupuncture.

Many of these therapies do work. For example, research shows that acupuncture does control pain and reduce anxiety. And St. John's wort helps some people with moderate or mild depression.

"But there are also things out there that can cause real harm. Some of the dietary supplements have lead to real injury or even death for some people," Mayo Clinics Dr. Brent Bauer.

Recent supplements that have caused problems are Ephedrine and Mah-wong. So how do you know if the alternative therapy you are using is safe? According to Bauer, a good reference is the ‘Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine,’ of which he is the editor.

"We want to make sure they have good information so they can make informed decisions about how to use what's called alternative medicine," Bauer said.

He said the book tells you what's safe, what simply doesn't work and what to avoid. It also examines how many doctors are using some of these therapies in their practices.

"We're taking the best of evidence-based, conventional medicine and the best of evidence-based alternative medicine and integrating the two. Bringing them together for the benefit of the patient," said Bauer.

Bauer said you should talk to your doctor before you try any type of alternative therapy. He said some therapies, like herbs, may be safe but may interact with other medications.

To visit our partner’s Web sites clink on the links below.

The Mayo Clinic

Baylor College of Medicine