South Africa – Complementary and Alternative Medicine

What types of complementary and alternative medicine are available in South Africa?

South Africa presents an exceptionally diverse range of CAM therapies, shaped by its multicultural population and the breadth of its regulatory infrastructure. Disciplines formally recognised under the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) include Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Phytotherapy, Therapeutic Aromatherapy, Therapeutic Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Reflexology, and Unani-Tibb. This is a notably expansive list by international standards — many other countries afford statutory recognition to only a small subset of these therapies.

Chiropractic and homeopathy rank among the most firmly established and widely accessible CAM modalities in the country. Both disciplines require completion of a five-year full-time Masters degree, currently offered at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Durban University of Technology (DUT). This rigorous training standard means that qualified chiropractors and homeopaths are found not only in major metropolitan centres such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria, but also in many smaller towns throughout the country.

Unani-Tibb — a healing system rooted in Greco-Arabic medical tradition — has a meaningful presence in South Africa, especially within communities of South Asian and Cape Malay heritage, and is formally taught at the University of the Western Cape. Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Phytotherapy (herbal medicine), and Unani-Tibb are all recognised under the AHPCSA within the Department of Health’s ambit. Ayurveda and osteopathy are also registered professions under the AHPCSA, although no accredited local training programmes currently exist in South Africa for either discipline — practitioners in these fields typically hold qualifications obtained abroad.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) recognises six disciplines for the purposes of complementary medicines regulation: Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani-Tibb, and Western Herbal Medicine. Reflexology, therapeutic massage, and aromatherapy are also widely offered through wellness centres and spas, though the depth of practitioner training across these settings can vary considerably. Energy-based therapies such as Reiki and kinesiology are accessible in urban environments but sit outside the AHPCSA’s regulated categories.

Is complementary and alternative medicine regulated in South Africa?

South Africa has constructed one of Africa’s most advanced statutory frameworks for CAM regulation, broadly comparable in structure to profession-specific regulation seen in countries such as the UK — though encompassing a wider array of disciplines. The Allied Health Professions Act (Act 63 of 1982) empowers the AHPCSA, operating under the Department of Health, to oversee various CAM and traditional medicine professions. Any practitioner working in a listed discipline must hold current AHPCSA registration as a legal precondition for practice.

To qualify for registration, a practitioner must have attained the minimum training standard set by the relevant council established under the Department of Health. These councils are charged with registering practitioners, setting educational benchmarks for registration, and overseeing the professions in general. While this approach parallels the UK model — where bodies such as the General Chiropractic Council and General Osteopathic Council maintain statutory registers — South Africa is distinctive in bringing a considerably broader range of disciplines under a single umbrella council.

Practitioners registered across more than one allied health profession are required to accumulate 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per profession, of which at least 50% must relate specifically to that profession, and must include four CEUs for the AHPCSA-approved Bioethics and Jurisprudence course. This ongoing professional development obligation helps sustain standards across the register.

Complementary medicines — meaning products rather than practitioners — are regulated separately by SAHPRA, the successor body to the former Medicines Control Council under legislation enacted in 2015. The category of Complementary Medicines was expanded to create two sub-categories under Category D, as reflected in the General Regulations published in Government Gazette 41064 on 25 August 2017. SAHPRA’s regulatory guidance on complementary medicines is available at sahpra.org.za.

Therapies that sit outside the AHPCSA’s listed professions — such as Reiki, kinesiology, crystal healing, and hypnotherapy — are not subject to statutory regulation in South Africa. Practitioners of these therapies may hold membership in voluntary professional bodies, but such membership carries no legal requirement and the government does not oversee their standards. It is always worth verifying the regulatory status of any therapy before making an appointment. The AHPCSA’s official website is ahpcsa.co.za, and the National Department of Health publishes relevant policy guidance.

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

South Africa does not operate a universal public healthcare system comparable to Canada’s Medicare or the UK’s NHS. Those who access private healthcare typically belong to a private medical aid scheme — the South African equivalent of health insurance. Reimbursement for CAM is predominantly a feature of private medical aid arrangements rather than public healthcare, and the extent of cover depends heavily on the specific plan held.

Homeopathy is not listed as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) and appears in category 5 on the Pharmacy Exclusions of South Africa (PESA) list. Consequently, for most medical aid options, the cost of homeopathic consultations and medicines must be drawn from the member’s medical savings account or the out-of-hospital limits specified by their plan. This pattern holds broadly across most CAM therapies: they are not mandated benefits but may be accessible through savings-type benefit structures. As of 2025, members should confirm their plan’s specific limits and conditions directly with their scheme, as these are subject to annual revision.

Chiropractic is among the better-covered CAM therapies in the South African private sector. Many medical schemes make provision for chiropractic reimbursement, and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act provides for full reimbursement of cases treated by registered chiropractors.

As homeopathy has gained greater mainstream standing — through AHPCSA recognition and inclusion in Health Sciences programmes at UJ and DUT — it has attracted growing medical aid recognition, with more homeopaths appearing on scheme networks. Most medical aids now reimburse consultations with homeopathic doctors and acupuncturists and cover a proportion of medications, often approximately 70%, though exact percentages and annual caps are plan-dependent. Always seek pre-authorisation and verify your entitlements before committing to a treatment course. The Council for Medical Schemes can provide guidance on what schemes are obliged to cover.

How much does complementary and alternative medicine cost in South Africa?

In absolute terms, CAM costs in South Africa are generally lower than those in Western Europe, North America, or Australia, though they vary considerably according to the therapy, the practitioner’s experience, the city, and whether payment is made in cash or through a medical aid scheme. The figures below are indicative only; always confirm current pricing directly with the practitioner or the relevant professional association before booking.

For chiropractic services, follow-up session fees range from approximately R660 to R870 as of 2024. Initial consultations, which typically incorporate a full assessment, are priced higher. Some medical aids — including Discovery and Medscheme — may cover a portion of consultation fees, with additional charges of around R50 per visit. Pricing at individual clinics varies: one Johannesburg practice, for instance, lists (as of 2024) an initial chiropractic consultation at R750 for cash-paying patients (R800 via medical aid), with follow-ups at R600 cash (R650 via medical aid). These figures are illustrative only.

Homeopathy consultation fees follow a broadly similar range to chiropractic, with initial appointments typically running longer and therefore attracting a higher fee. Medical aids reimburse for homeopathic treatment — including both consultations and medicines — subject to policy terms and pre-authorisation requirements.

Acupuncture, naturopathy, phytotherapy, and Unani-Tibb consultations from AHPCSA-registered practitioners generally fall within a rough range of R500–R1,200 per session as of 2024–2025, with fees at the higher end common in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Reflexology and therapeutic massage sessions from registered practitioners tend to be somewhat more affordable, often falling in the R400–R700 range. Practitioners operating outside registration structures or in wellness settings may charge less, but quality assurance and accountability differ accordingly. Always ask for a practitioner’s AHPCSA registration number and agree pricing before proceeding.

For indicative fee information, the Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) and the AHPCSA are useful starting points. Confirm current rates directly with practitioners.

How do I find a qualified CAM practitioner in South Africa?

The most reliable way to locate an accountable CAM practitioner in South Africa is to confirm that they are registered with the AHPCSA. Registration is a legal requirement for practitioners across all 11 recognised allied health professions, and the AHPCSA maintains a register that is open to public enquiry. You can reach the council through ahpcsa.co.za to check a practitioner’s current standing.

The following step-by-step process can help you locate and verify a reputable CAM practitioner:

1. Identify the therapy you need and confirm whether it falls under AHPCSA regulation (e.g. chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy, osteopathy, phytotherapy, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, Unani-Tibb, Ayurveda).
2. Check the AHPCSA register by visiting ahpcsa.co.za or contacting the council directly to confirm the practitioner is currently registered and in good standing.
3. Contact the relevant professional association for your therapy — for example, the Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA), the Homeopathic Association of South Africa, or the South African Society of Integrative Medicine (SASIM) — which maintain directories of members.
4. Ask your GP or specialist for a referral or recommendation, particularly if you are seeking integrative care alongside conventional treatment.
5. Verify qualifications: ask the practitioner where they trained and what their AHPCSA registration number is before booking. Chiropractic and homeopathy require a five-year full-time Masters degree, while Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Phytotherapy, and Unani-Tibb require a three-year basic medical sciences degree followed by a two-year specialisation.
6. Confirm medical aid participation: if you wish to claim, ask the practitioner whether they are contracted with your specific scheme.
7. Check for red flags: be cautious of practitioners who guarantee cures for serious diseases, offer unsupported diagnoses (e.g. claims of detecting cancer through iridology alone), use pressure-selling for supplements, or cannot produce a registration number.

For therapies that fall outside the AHPCSA framework — such as Reiki, kinesiology, or hypnotherapy — seek practitioners who hold membership in a recognised voluntary association and carry professional indemnity insurance. Personal recommendations from fellow expats through community forums or your employer’s human resources department can also be a dependable source of referrals, particularly in cities with significant international populations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.

Are there traditional or indigenous medicine systems practised in South Africa?

African Traditional Medicine (ATM) is far more than a fringe or peripheral health practice in South Africa — it is a deeply rooted and extensively used form of healthcare. More than 200,000 traditional healers serve upwards of 27 million people across the country. For the majority of South Africans, traditional healing remains an essential dimension of everyday life, understood as part of indigenous knowledge bound up with broader belief systems. In rural communities in particular, traditional healers are frequently the first point of contact for health concerns, owing to their accessibility and affordability relative to conventional services.

African traditional healing is inseparable from cultural practice and spiritual belief, and is consequently understood as holistic — addressing both the physical and spiritual dimensions of a person’s wellbeing. Key practitioners include sangomas (diviners who engage with ancestral forces to identify illness), izinyanga (herbalists), and traditional birth attendants. In treating patients, a sangoma will commonly prescribe traditional remedies known as muti, including herbs and powdered animal bones.

South Africa possesses exceptional indigenous medicinal biodiversity, with around 2,000 plant species traded for therapeutic purposes. Widely traded medicinal plants include buchu, bitter aloe, African wormwood, honeybush, devil’s claw, hoodia, African potato, fever tea, African geranium, African ginger, cancer bush, pepperbark tree, milk bush, and the broadly consumed rooibos tea. These plants are sold at traditional medicine markets — known as muthi markets — found in cities and towns throughout the country.

Regarding regulation: the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007 was enacted to bring traditional healers under a formal regulatory structure. However, despite the Act’s stipulation that no person may practise as a traditional health practitioner without registration, the Traditional Health Practitioners Council has not yet registered a single practitioner, meaning those currently in practice are technically operating without formal state authorisation. This represents a substantial gap between legislative intent and practical reality. The government is working towards formally registering the estimated 250,000 self-identified healers, though proposed regulations have generated considerable debate. Expats should understand that while ATM is culturally and numerically significant, its formal registration system remains non-operational, and consumer protections in this area are limited.

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

Combining CAM with conventional healthcare in South Africa calls for the same careful, informed approach as anywhere else — but the country’s specific healthcare environment, including the widespread use of traditional medicine, an expanding integrative medicine sector, and notable gaps between regulatory ambition and implementation, gives this particular context its own distinct character.

South Africa’s conventional medical sector is well developed, particularly within private hospitals in major cities. Attitudes among mainstream doctors towards CAM span a wide spectrum: some GPs work in conjunction with or refer patients to AHPCSA-registered practitioners — especially chiropractors and homeopaths — while others remain cautious or sceptical. The South African Society of Integrative Medicine (SASIM) promotes cooperation between conventional and complementary healthcare providers and maintains a practitioner directory. Clinics offering integrative care — combining conventional diagnostics with CAM therapies — are present in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and other cities and are increasing in number.

The scarcity of research examining interactions between traditional and conventional medicines is a matter of real concern. This is especially pertinent in South Africa given how prevalent traditional herbal medicines are. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients turned to traditional remedies for prevention or treatment, underscoring the importance of understanding the therapeutic effects of these medicines and how they might interact with pharmaceutical treatments. If you are taking prescription medicines while also using herbal or traditional remedies, it is essential to inform all your healthcare providers — interactions can be clinically significant, particularly with anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, and antiretrovirals.

The AHPCSA makes clear to practitioners and the public that no complementary medicines have received SAHPRA approval for treating specific serious illnesses, and that the council’s primary mandate is protecting public health as set out in the Act and the National Health Act. SAHPRA provides guidance on complementary medicines regulation at sahpra.org.za, and the National Department of Health website is the principal official source for health policy and consumer information — both worth bookmarking for expats navigating South Africa’s healthcare landscape.

On a practical note, expats arriving from countries where CAM is less prominent or less formally governed may find the breadth and accessibility of regulated CAM in South Africa a pleasant discovery. Those accustomed to more thoroughly integrated systems — such as parts of Germany or Switzerland, where certain CAM therapies enjoy stronger statutory backing — may find that integration here is more uneven and heavily dependent on individual practitioners’ openness to collaboration. Whatever combination of healthcare you pursue, make a point of disclosing all therapies — including supplements, herbal preparations, and traditional medicines — to both your GP and any CAM practitioners you consult.

Frequently asked questions

Is it easy to find CAM practitioners who speak languages other than Afrikaans or Zulu in South Africa?

In major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban, the overwhelming majority of AHPCSA-registered CAM practitioners conduct consultations in English, which is one of South Africa’s 12 official languages and the prevailing language of the professional healthcare sector. In smaller towns and rural areas, practitioners may work primarily in Afrikaans or another local language. When searching for a suitable practitioner, you can confirm their preferred consultation language by reaching out to them directly or enquiring through the relevant professional association.

How do I check whether a CAM practitioner is properly registered in South Africa?

For therapies regulated under the AHPCSA — including chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy, phytotherapy, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, osteopathy, Unani-Tibb, and Ayurveda — you can contact the AHPCSA directly at ahpcsa.co.za to confirm a practitioner’s current registration status. Always request the practitioner’s AHPCSA registration number before making a booking. For therapies that are not statutorily regulated, check whether the practitioner holds membership in a recognised voluntary professional association and carries professional indemnity insurance.

Are all complementary medicines sold in South Africa safe and legally approved?

No complementary medicines have been approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for the treatment of serious or life-threatening conditions, and the regulatory process for complementary medicine products continues to evolve. Products sold through pharmacies are subject to greater oversight than those available in informal market settings. Exercise caution when purchasing health products at markets or from unregistered vendors, and check the product label for a SAHPRA registration number. Concerns can be reported to SAHPRA.

Is traditional African medicine (muti) legal in South Africa?

Yes, the practice of traditional medicine is lawful in South Africa and is explicitly acknowledged in national policy. The Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 establishes the regulatory framework, though the formal registration system has not yet been fully implemented. The law prohibits unregistered healers from claiming to cure or relieve cancer or HIV/AIDS. Some traditional herbal products sold at markets are not subject to safety or quality regulation, so caution is advisable, and you should inform your conventional doctor of any traditional medicines you are taking.

Will my overseas health insurance cover CAM therapies in South Africa?

International health insurance coverage for CAM differs substantially between insurers and policies. Some international plans do include limited CAM benefits — most commonly for chiropractic or acupuncture — but many exclude these therapies entirely. If you are moving to South Africa and intend to use CAM, review your policy documentation thoroughly before relocating and contact your insurer to clarify which therapies are covered, whether AHPCSA registration is a requirement, and whether annual benefit limits or pre-authorisation conditions apply.

Do I need a referral from a conventional doctor to see a registered CAM practitioner?

In most cases, no referral is required to consult a chiropractor or other AHPCSA-registered practitioner — patients can self-refer directly. However, if you plan to submit a claim to your medical aid scheme, check with your scheme whether a GP referral is required for your specific plan and the therapy in question, as these requirements differ between schemes and benefit options.

How is CAM viewed culturally in South Africa — is it mainstream or fringe?

CAM holds a firmly mainstream position in South African culture and healthcare. Chiropractic and homeopathy have been part of the South African university landscape for decades and are widely accepted within urban private healthcare. Traditional African medicine is drawn upon by tens of millions of people and is formally acknowledged in national legislation. At the same time, medical school curricula have been slow to incorporate traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine, meaning individual conventional doctors’ openness to CAM varies considerably and the quality of integrative care depends significantly on finding practitioners who are willing to collaborate across disciplines.

Are there any CAM therapies that are illegal or specifically prohibited in South Africa?

No mainstream CAM therapy is outright prohibited in South Africa. However, practitioners of regulated disciplines who operate without AHPCSA registration are doing so unlawfully. Unregistered healers are legally barred from claiming to provide cures or relief for cancer or HIV/AIDS. Practices involving the use of prohibited substances — such as protected animal species in traditional medicines — may also contravene environmental or medicines legislation. Contact SAHPRA if you have concerns about a particular product or health claim.