Brazil – Complementary and Alternative Medicine

What types of complementary and alternative medicine are available in Brazil?

CAM in Brazil spans complex therapeutic systems such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and Ayurveda, and can be broadly grouped by treatment approach: herbal medicine and medicinal plants; hands-on therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, massage); mind-body practices (Tai Chi Chuan, yoga, Lian Gong, meditation, bioenergetics); and community-based approaches such as Brazil’s own methodology of integrative community therapy.

The complete roster of 29 practices officially acknowledged within SUS includes homeopathy, phytotherapy/medicinal plants, acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine, anthroposophical medicine, social thermalism/crenotherapy, art therapy, Ayurveda, biodance, circular dance, meditation, music therapy, naturopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, reflexotherapy, Reiki, shantala, integrative community therapy, yoga, aromatherapy, apitherapy, bioenergetics, family constellation, chromotherapy, geotherapy, hypnotherapy, laying on of hands, ozone therapy and flower therapy.

In primary health care settings, close to 80% of all CAM activity involves body practices, medicinal plants, acupuncture, and homeopathy — making these the therapies expats are most likely to come across in day-to-day clinical environments. Homeopathy commands a notably prominent position in Brazil compared with most other nations: it is classed as a medical specialty reserved exclusively for qualified doctors, meaning only licensed physicians may prescribe it, which sets it apart from the less tightly controlled arrangements seen in other countries.

Ayurveda is attracting a growing following in Brazil, with increasing numbers of people turning to it for conditions such as digestive complaints, anxiety, and chronic pain. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is similarly sought out for chronic pain, anxiety, and fertility concerns. Mind-body disciplines such as yoga and meditation have built a substantial urban following, and notable regional differences exist in CAM use — herbal medicine is more prevalent in the northern part of the country, a reflection of Brazil’s exceptional biodiversity and deep indigenous heritage.

Therapies such as naturopathy and osteopathy, which are subject to statutory professional registration in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, do exist in Brazil but under different regulatory arrangements. Anthroposophical medicine — a system largely unfamiliar to those arriving from outside Central Europe — has an especially firm presence in Brazil and is fully embedded within the public health system.

Is complementary and alternative medicine regulated in Brazil?

In Brazil, integrative and complementary health practices were brought into the Unified Health System through national legislation introduced in 2006 and updated in 2018, establishing 29 officially recognised practices within the health system’s scope. This constitutes a nationally anchored policy structure — broader than the voluntary self-regulation model common in certain countries, yet less prescriptive than the statutory professional registers found in the UK for therapies such as osteopathy and chiropractic.

The Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) holds responsibility for overseeing CAM practices that fall within the medical profession. For therapies including homeopathy, acupuncture, and anthroposophical medicine, practitioners must be licensed doctors holding current CFM registration. A doctor’s registration can be confirmed through the CFM portal.

National training and practice standards for many CAM modalities remain relatively underdeveloped. The majority of practitioners providing these therapies within the public health system are conventional primary care professionals who have independently acquired and adopted them. This stands in contrast to countries such as Australia, where therapies like chiropractic and osteopathy fall under dedicated statutory registration bodies within the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). In Brazil, chiropractors and osteopaths who are not medical doctors must operate under separate professional council oversight.

Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has established specific rules for herbal medicines, encompassing registration requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines, and a reference list for evaluating the safety and efficacy of herbal products. ANVISA governs the manufacture and sale of herbal medicinal products, and practitioners who use or recommend such products should confirm that all items carry valid current ANVISA registration. The ANVISA website publishes current regulations.

Given that rules and professional requirements are subject to change, expats are strongly advised to verify current conditions directly with the Ministry of Health and the relevant professional council — the CFM for medically-led therapies, and the Federal Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (COFFITO) for manual therapies practised by allied health professionals — before commencing treatment or selecting a practitioner.

Is CAM covered by health insurance or the public healthcare system in Brazil?

In Brazil, integrative and complementary practices have been formally incorporated through the National Policy for Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC) within the Unified Health System (SUS), whose central aim is to encourage and supervise the use of these practices by the Brazilian population through SUS programme offerings. In principle, this means that a variety of CAM therapies is available free of charge at SUS primary care units.

According to official figures, CAM was offered by 20% of primary health care teams in 2016, across 56% of Brazilian municipalities, though access is uneven and varies substantially between regions and individual municipalities. Notwithstanding the public policy framework, uptake of CAM through SUS remains relatively modest. The availability of these therapies within SUS is heavily dependent on individual health professionals, as there is no dedicated ring-fenced funding, and provision rests largely on practitioners’ own initiative and willingness to offer CAM services.

Brazil’s private health sector is regulated by the National Health Supplementary Agency (ANS — Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar), which as of 2022 requires private health insurers to reimburse only homeopathy and acupuncture. Other CAM therapies, even those recognised under PNPIC, are generally not reimbursable under standard private insurance plans. Some insurers may provide additional coverage as optional add-ons; always examine your policy documentation directly with your insurer.

The ANS publishes updated coverage rules on its official website at gov.br/ans. As mandatory coverage requirements may be revised, expats should verify the current minimum coverage rules with both their insurer and the ANS before assuming any given therapy is reimbursable.

How much does complementary and alternative medicine cost in Brazil?

Private CAM consultation fees in Brazil vary considerably according to the therapy type, the practitioner’s experience and credentials, and whether they are based in a major urban centre such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, or Brasília, or in a smaller city. No universal official fee schedule applies across all CAM therapies, and charges in private practice are set at each provider’s discretion.

As a general indication (as of 2024, drawing on market-level information from practitioner associations and clinics), an initial acupuncture session with a medical acupuncturist in a major city typically costs between approximately R$150 and R$400. Homeopathy consultations with a licensed homeopathic physician tend to fall within a comparable range, while therapies such as massage, reflexology, or yoga classes at private wellness studios are generally lower, often R$80 to R$200 per session. Naturopathy and osteopathy consultations at private clinics typically sit toward the upper end of the market. Always confirm current fees directly with your chosen practitioner or clinic before making a booking.

Acupuncture ranks as the second most commonly used CAM in Brazil, and people with higher socioeconomic status and educational attainment tend to be more frequent users, which reflects acupuncture’s stronger presence in private rather than public healthcare settings. Those eligible to access SUS primary care may find therapies including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and homeopathy available at no direct cost, subject to local availability. Contact your nearest Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) for details of locally available services.

For the most up-to-date pricing information, contact the relevant professional associations directly — for example, the Associação Médica Brasileira de Homeopatia (AMBH) for homeopathy, or the Associação Brasileira de Acupuntura (ABA) for acupuncture. Confirm that any figures provided reflect current market rates, as fees are subject to change.

How do I find a qualified CAM practitioner in Brazil?

Locating a qualified CAM practitioner in Brazil requires consulting the appropriate professional register, since the regulatory landscape differs according to therapy type. The following step-by-step approach will help you identify a reputable provider.

1. Identify the relevant regulatory body for your chosen therapy. For medically-led CAM (homeopathy, acupuncture, anthroposophical medicine), the practitioner must be a licensed medical doctor registered with the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM). You can search the CFM register online to verify a doctor’s credentials.
2. Check the relevant professional association directory. The Brazilian Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association promotes TCM and maintains a directory of registered practitioners in Brazil. The Brazilian Homeopathic Medical Association promotes homeopathy and maintains a directory of registered practitioners. The Brazilian Chiropractic Association similarly maintains a directory of registered chiropractors.
3. Request a referral from your conventional doctor. Research shows a combined overall acceptance rate for integrative and complementary practices among medical specialties of 52%, with family medicine doctors recording the highest acceptance at 67%. General practitioners — particularly those specialising in family medicine — can frequently point you toward trusted practitioners within the local healthcare network.
4. Verify ANVISA product registration if herbal treatments are involved. Should a practitioner recommend herbal or phytotherapeutic products, confirm that the product holds current registration with ANVISA before using it. Unregistered products carry unknown safety profiles.
5. Consider integrative clinics in larger cities. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Florianópolis all have integrative medicine clinics (clínicas de medicina integrativa) offering multiple CAM therapies under one roof, frequently staffed by conventionally trained doctors who also practise CAM.
6. Exercise caution with unverified practitioners. Because regulation for some therapies remains limited, certain individuals offer CAM services without formal qualifications. Warning signs include practitioners who claim to treat serious medical conditions using CAM exclusively, who advise against consulting a conventional doctor, or who sell unregistered products. Always verify credentials before starting any course of treatment.

Expats in major cities may also find that international hospitals and private health clinics are able to recommend bilingual CAM practitioners. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo and Hospital Sírio-Libanês, for instance, both have integrative medicine departments where CAM is delivered alongside conventional medical care.

Are there traditional or indigenous medicine systems practised in Brazil?

Traditional Brazilian medicine draws on a rich blend of native South American and imported African elements. It is practised predominantly in areas where indigenous communities and people of African descent live, including the northeast coast, vast interior regions, the Amazon, savannahs, rainforest, foothills, and the Pantanal.

The Aruak, Tupi, Yanomami, Krahô, Guarani and other indigenous peoples, together with descendants of Africans (Quilombola) and mixed communities (Caboclo), are among those known to practise traditional medicine. These systems draw extensively on the extraordinary biodiversity of the Amazon, with hundreds of medicinal plant species deployed for healing purposes. Knowledge of medicinal plants is typically transmitted across generations within families, with a particular emphasis on the role of the mother, highlighting the deep sociocultural dimension of these practices.

It is important to note that indigenous and traditional medicines are not included in the Brazilian CAM definition as used in official public health statistics. They occupy a distinct category and are addressed through a separate framework: the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI — Secretaria Especial de Saúde Indígena), which is responsible for healthcare among indigenous communities and aims to integrate traditional healing practices with conventional primary care where appropriate.

Afro-Brazilian spiritual and healing traditions, including those associated with Candomblé and Umbanda, form part of the broader folk healing landscape in Brazil. Practitioners known as raizeiros (herbalists) operate in markets and communities throughout the country, offering medicinal plants and preparations. While these practices are culturally deeply embedded and widely used, they fall outside the formal regulatory framework that governs licensed CAM practitioners. Expats should exercise the same level of caution with informal folk remedies as with any unverified health product, particularly with regard to potential herb-drug interactions.

What should expats know about using CAM alongside conventional medicine in Brazil?

Research among Brazilian medical specialists indicates an overall acceptance rate for integrative and complementary practices of approximately 52%, with family medicine doctors being the most receptive at 67%. This means a significant proportion of conventional doctors in Brazil — particularly GPs and family physicians — are willing to discuss CAM and may themselves practise it. That said, attitudes differ by specialty and region, and it should not be assumed that every doctor will be familiar with or supportive of all CAM therapies.

The majority of CAM practitioners within the public health system are conventional primary care professionals who have independently taken up these therapies, making integrative practice a relatively organic feature of Brazilian healthcare. In the private sector, dedicated integrative medicine clinics are present in most major cities, providing coordinated care that combines standard clinical diagnosis with CAM treatments.

Herb-drug interactions represent a meaningful safety concern, particularly given the widespread use of Amazonian medicinal plants, many of which have limited clinical evidence to support their use. Evidence-based research into the safety of herbal medicines and complementary practices remains an area requiring further development, as do questions relating to the conservation of medicinal plants and intellectual property rights. If you are taking prescription medication, always inform both your conventional doctor and any CAM practitioner about the full range of treatments you are receiving.

ANVISA has published specific guidelines covering herbal medicine registration and Good Manufacturing Practices, and its website provides regularly updated information on registered herbal products. Before using any herbal or phytotherapeutic product, check that it carries a valid ANVISA registration at gov.br/anvisa. Products sold informally through markets or by unlicensed vendors are not subject to quality controls and may contain undisclosed ingredients or contaminants.

The Ministry of Health publishes guidance on integrative and complementary practices — including relevant safety information — through the PNPIC section of its website at gov.br/saude. Expats newly navigating the Brazilian health system are encouraged to register with a local Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) or a private family doctor who can coordinate care across both conventional and complementary treatments.

Frequently asked questions

Can I find CAM practitioners in Brazil who speak languages other than Portuguese?

In major cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba — which host large international communities — a number of CAM practitioners speak English, Spanish, German, or Italian. International private hospitals (such as Hospital Albert Einstein or Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo) can often refer patients to bilingual integrative medicine practitioners. Expat forums and community groups specific to your city are also a practical source of personal recommendations for multilingual practitioners.

Is homeopathy legal in Brazil?

Homeopathy is widely practised in Brazil, with many people seeking it for conditions including allergies, digestive complaints, and chronic pain. It is entirely legal and formally recognised within the SUS public health system. In Brazil, homeopathy is classified as a medical specialty reserved for qualified medical doctors, so you should ensure any practitioner you consult holds a current CFM registration and a recognised homeopathy qualification.

How do I check whether a CAM practitioner is qualified?

For medically led therapies (homeopathy, acupuncture, anthroposophical medicine), verify the practitioner’s registration through the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) portal. For allied health CAM practitioners (physiotherapists or occupational therapists offering manual therapies), check the Federal Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (COFFITO). For chiropractic, consult the Associação Brasileira de Quiropraxia (ABQ). Always ask practitioners directly about their specific training and qualifications in CAM.

Are CAM products such as herbal supplements safe to buy in Brazil?

ANVISA has issued registration guidelines, Good Manufacturing Practices rules, and a reference list for evaluating the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines. Products registered with ANVISA have been subject to quality and safety assessment. Always check that a herbal product displays an ANVISA registration number on its label. Avoid unregistered products sold through informal channels, as their safety cannot be guaranteed.

Does my private health insurance cover acupuncture and other CAM therapies in Brazil?

Brazil’s private health sector is regulated by the National Health Supplementary Agency (ANS), which requires private insurers to reimburse homeopathy and acupuncture. Other CAM therapies are generally excluded from mandatory coverage. Some insurers offer optional supplementary plans that extend to a wider range of CAM therapies. Always review your specific policy and consult the ANS at gov.br/ans for current minimum coverage requirements, as these may be revised over time.

Is CAM available through the public health system (SUS)?

In 2017 and 2018, the Ministry of Health issued Ordinances MS 849/2017 and MS 702/2018, expanding the number of CAM practices recognised and offered within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) to twenty-nine. In practice, availability varies considerably by municipality. According to official data, CAM was offered by 20% of primary health care teams across 56% of municipalities as of 2016. Contact your local Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) to find out which therapies are accessible in your area.

Are there integrative medicine clinics in Brazil that combine CAM with conventional treatment?

Yes. Integrative medicine clinics (clínicas de medicina integrativa) operate in most major Brazilian cities, delivering coordinated care that brings together conventional medicine and CAM therapies. Some of Brazil’s leading private hospitals — including Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo — run integrative medicine departments where licensed doctors also offer acupuncture, homeopathy, and other recognised therapies alongside standard medical treatment.

Are indigenous and Afro-Brazilian healing traditions regulated?

Indigenous and traditional medicines are not included in the Brazilian CAM definition and are not governed by the same regulatory framework that applies to recognised CAM therapies. Indigenous health falls under a separate structure managed by the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI). While these traditions hold significant cultural importance and are widely practised in certain regions, the same formal consumer protections do not apply. Expats with an interest in traditional plant medicine should proceed with caution, particularly regarding herb-drug interactions, and seek advice from a licensed healthcare professional.