Modern Western medicine is dominated by the idea that the human body can be manipulated and cured by introducing chemical compounds into the mechanical system of the body or by replacing and repairing parts. In contrast, holistic systems of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) such as homeopathy, acupuncture, anthroposophic medicine or naturopathic medicine are aimed at restoring the patients’ own natural systems for fighting disease and maintaining health. CAM modalities can often be used as a first therapeutic option, thus greatly reducing the need for high-impact, high-cost interventions with potential adverse effects and for long-term dependency on conventional medication. Politicians have to be made aware of the diverging concepts of health and disease and especially about the benefits of the holistic paradigm of CAM.