[arjie]

In India, homeopathic remedies are considered to be in the same category as herbal medicine and any discovery of effectiveness of some aspect of herbal medicine is counted in favor of all 'alternative' medicine. Many of these herbal remedies do contain an active ingredient, and so such discoveries are frequent. Vague stuff like turmeric being anti carcinogenic also reinforces the idea that there are secret remedies in nature far more effective than the stuff man makes.

In addition, primary health care is poor in India, so everyone knows of a story of some member of the family having a poor experience in the organised health care sector. This leads to many people's search for 'something better' at a time when they're particularly vulnerable.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention that at least some degree of cultural chauvinism is responsible. To some, the West has ignored Eastern knowledge of medicine, and there is, at least among some, a belief that there are secrets unknown to modern science.

My parents are surgeons in India, and while what I've said is my opinion, it is derived in part from what I remember to be their experience.