Table 5 Types of CAM used amongst 168 CAM users

Biological therapy

Vitamin and mineral supplements

Mega/multivitamins

52

31

Calcium suplements

12

7

Antioxidant pills

7

4.2

Herbal

Sea cucumber/gamat (Stichopus horrens)

30

18

Herbal remedies

22

13

Fruit juice with antioxidant properties

17

10

Spirulina (Arthrospira plantensis)

15

9

Belalai gajah/sabah snake grass (Clinacanthus nutans)

13

7.7

Other medicinal plant

9

5.4

Medicinal mushroom supplements

9

5.4

Aloe vera

8

4.8

Apricot seed

7

4.2

Ginseng

7

4.2

Evening primrose

6

3.6

Green tea

6

3.6

Habatus sauda seeds

6

3.6

Medicinal tea

5

3

Ginko biloba

5

3

Non-herbal

Snakehead/haruan (Chana striatus)

47

28

Fish oil

22

13

Porcupine quill powder/dates

8

4.8

Honey

6

3.6

Special water

5

3

Birds nest

5

3

Special diet

10

6

Physical therapy

Massage therapy

33

19.6

Reflexology

2

1.2

Chiropractic

1

0.6

Cupping

2

1.2

Mind-body medicine

Prayer/faith healing

52

31

Holy water/zam zam water

22

13

Traditional healers

9

5.4

Meditation

8

4.8

Yoga

4

2.4

Support group

4

2.4

Mental imagery

1

0.6

Energy therapy

Bioelectromagnetic therapy

7

4.2

Qi Gong

3

1.8

Manual healing

2

1.2

Taichi

2

1.2

Reiki

1

0.6

Ionic foot bath

1

0.6

Longevitology

1

0.6

Alternative therapy

Acupuncture

16

9.5

Traditional Chinese medicine

10

6

Traditional Indian medicine

2

1.2

Homeopathy

2

1.2