[Theory of a human medicine and the role of complementary medicine].

Complementary (or alternative) medicine has gained so much public interest that physicians have to face and discuss this new phenomenon. We are, however, already strained by trying to find an easy answer to the initial question: 'To what is this medicine complementary or an alternative?' Complementary means 'additionally'. Prior to our understanding why a complementation is necessary we must clarify what has to be complemented: Theories, methods and criteria for the goals of academic medicine have to be defined before characteristics of a complementary medicine can be outlined. According to Strapanek and McCormick extraordinary claims call for extraordinary proofs. Such claims are expressed in alternative therapeutic concepts. We have to consider whether it is justified to ask for the appropriate proofs.