Medicine vs. Remedy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 4, 2024
Medicine is a scientifically proven substance used to prevent or cure diseases, while a remedy can be any treatment that relieves or heals disorders, not limited to scientific backing.
Difference Between Medicine and Remedy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Medicine is a broad term encompassing drugs and treatments with scientific evidence for effectiveness in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Remedies, on the other hand, can include not just medicines but also homeopathic, herbal, and traditional treatments, regardless of scientific validation.
Medicines are typically regulated by governmental bodies to ensure safety and efficacy. Remedies, whereas, may not always undergo such rigorous scrutiny, and their effectiveness can be based on anecdotal evidence.
The development of medicine involves extensive research, clinical trials, and adherence to specific medical standards. Remedies, on the other hand, can originate from cultural practices, historical usage, or even personal experiences, without the necessity for clinical trials.
Patients turn to medicine for targeted, scientifically backed interventions for specific health conditions. In contrast, individuals may seek remedies for a broader range of reasons, including comfort, tradition, or personal belief in its efficacy.
While medicines are often prescribed by healthcare professionals based on a diagnosis, remedies can be self-administered or recommended by non-medical practitioners, reflecting a more personal or traditional approach to healing.
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Comparison Chart
Basis of formulation
Scientific research and clinical trials.
May include natural, traditional, or anecdotal evidence.
Regulation
Strictly regulated by government bodies.
Not always regulated; varies widely.
Purpose
Prevent, diagnose, cure diseases.
Provide relief or heal, not limited to diseases.
Efficacy
Generally supported by scientific evidence.
Efficacy can vary, sometimes based on anecdotal evidence.
Source of prescription
Prescribed by healthcare professionals.
Can be recommended by anyone or self-administered.
Compare with Definitions
Medicine
A substance used to treat illness or disease.
Aspirin is a widely used medicine for pain relief.
Remedy
A treatment or medicine that cures or relieves a disease or ailment.
Honey is an old remedy for a sore throat.
Medicine
A field of study and practice in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases.
She's pursuing a career in medicine to become a doctor.
Remedy
Any means of alleviating or removing a problem.
A good night's sleep is a simple remedy for fatigue.
Medicine
Pharmaceuticals designed for therapeutic purposes.
The pharmacy stocks a variety of medicines for different health conditions.
Remedy
A legal means to recover a right or prevent or redress a wrong.
Filing a lawsuit is a remedy for resolving disputes.
Medicine
Products manufactured by pharmaceutical companies.
New medicines for treating rare diseases are being developed.
Remedy
A treatment using natural products or practices.
Herbal remedies are popular for their natural origins.
Medicine
A regimen or treatment intended for health maintenance.
His medicine includes a strict diet and exercise plan.
Remedy
Measures taken to restore health or improve a condition.
Drinking plenty of water is a remedy for dehydration.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.
Remedy
A medicine or treatment for a disease or injury
Herbal remedies for aches and pains
Medicine
The science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease (in technical use often taken to exclude surgery)
He made distinguished contributions to pathology and medicine
The remarkable achievements of modern medicine
Remedy
The margin within which coins as minted may differ from the standard fineness and weight.
Medicine
A drug or other preparation for the treatment or prevention of disease
Your doctor will be able to prescribe medicines
Give her some medicine
Remedy
Set right (an undesirable situation)
Money will be given to remedy the poor funding of nurseries
Medicine
(especially among some North American Indian peoples) a spell, charm, or fetish believed to have healing, protective, or other power
Fleur was murdering him by use of bad medicine
Remedy
Something, such as a drug or a bandage, that is used to treat a symptom, disease, injury, or other condition.
Medicine
The science and art of diagnosing and treating disease or injury and maintaining health.
Remedy
Something that corrects an evil, fault, or error.
Medicine
The branch of this science encompassing treatment by drugs, diet, exercise, and other nonsurgical means.
Remedy
(Law) The means of obtaining redress of a wrong or enforcement of a right.
Medicine
The practice of medicine.
Remedy
The allowance by a mint for deviation from the standard weight or quality of coins.
Medicine
A substance, especially a drug, used to treat the signs and symptoms of a disease, condition, or injury.
Remedy
To relieve or cure (a disease or disorder).
Medicine
Something that serves as a remedy or corrective
Medicine for rebuilding the economy.
Measures that were harsh medicine.
Remedy
To counteract or rectify (a problem, mistake, or undesirable situation).
Medicine
Shamanistic practices or beliefs, especially among Native Americans.
Remedy
Something that corrects or counteracts.
Medicine
Something, such as a ritual practice or sacred object, believed to control natural or supernatural powers or serve as a preventive or remedy.
Remedy
(legal) The legal means to recover a right or to prevent or obtain redress for a wrong.
Medicine
A substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way; a pharmaceutical drug.
This medicine has fewer adverse effects than others in its drug class.
Using a weekly pill organizer is a good way to help remind yourself to take your medicine each day, and it also tells you whether you already took today's pills (it's not unusual to forget doing a habitual task)!
Remedy
A medicine, application, or treatment that relieves or cures a disease.
Medicine
Any treatment or cure.
A legislative remedy might be some harsh medicine; is that cure worse than the ill?
Remedy
The accepted tolerance or deviation in fineness or weight in the production of gold coins etc.
Medicine
(uncountable) The study of the cause, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease or illness.
She's studying medicine at university because she wants to be a doctor in the future.
Remedy
(transitive) To provide or serve as a remedy for.
Medicine
(uncountable) The profession and practice of physicians, including surgeons.
The history of medicine can be discretized into eras with differing relationships between physicians and surgeons
Remedy
That which relieves or cures a disease; any medicine or application which puts an end to disease and restores health; - with for; as, a remedy for the gout.
Medicine
The profession and practice of nonsurgical physicians as sometimes distinguished from that of surgeons.
The evolving relationship of medicine to surgery in the nineteenth century
Remedy
That which corrects or counteracts an evil of any kind; a corrective; a counteractive; reparation; cure; - followed by for or against, formerly by to.
What may else be remedy or cureTo evils which our own misdeeds have wrought,He will instruct us.
Medicine
(uncountable) Ritual magic used, as by a medicine man, to promote a desired outcome in healing, hunting, or warfare; traditional medicine.
Remedy
The legal means to recover a right, or to obtain redress for a wrong.
Medicine
Among the Native Americans, any object supposed to give control over natural or magical forces, to act as a protective charm, or to cause healing.
Remedy
To apply a remedy to; to relieve; to cure; to heal; to repair; to redress; to correct; to counteract.
I will remedy this gear ere long.
Medicine
(obsolete) Black magic, superstition.
Remedy
Act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
Medicine
(obsolete) A philter or love potion.
Remedy
A medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
Medicine
(obsolete) A physician.
Remedy
Set straight or right;
Remedy these deficiencies
Rectify the inequities in salaries
Repair an oversight
Medicine
(slang) Recreational drugs, especially alcoholic drinks.
Remedy
Provide relief for;
Remedy his illness
Medicine
To treat with medicine.
Medicine
The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease.
Medicine
Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a remedial agent; a medication; a medicament; a remedy; physic.
By medicine, life may be prolonged.
Medicine
A philter or love potion.
Medicine
A physician.
Medicine
Among the North American Indians, any object supposed to give control over natural or magical forces, to act as a protective charm, or to cause healing; also, magical power itself; the potency which a charm, token, or rite is supposed to exert.
The North American Indian boy usually took as his medicine the first animal of which he dreamed during the long and solitary fast that he observed at puberty.
Medicine
Hence, a similar object or agency among other savages.
Medicine
Short for Medicine man.
Medicine
Intoxicating liquor; drink.
Medicine
To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy; to cure.
Medicine
The branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
Medicine
(medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease
Medicine
The learned profession that is mastered by graduate training in a medical school and that is devoted to preventing or alleviating or curing diseases and injuries;
He studied medicine at Harvard
Medicine
Punishment for one's actions;
You have to face the music
Take your medicine
Medicine
Treat medicinally, treat with medicine
Common Curiosities
Are herbal treatments considered medicines or remedies?
Herbal treatments are typically considered remedies, but when scientifically validated and regulated, they can be classified as medicines.
What is the main difference between medicine and remedy?
Medicine is a scientifically backed treatment for diseases, while remedies can be any treatment or practice believed to heal or relieve symptoms, not always with scientific support.
Who can prescribe medicines?
Medicines are usually prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals.
Do remedies have to be approved by a regulatory body?
In many cases, remedies, especially those that are traditional or herbal, do not require approval by regulatory bodies.
Can I use a remedy instead of medicine for a serious condition?
It's important to consult a healthcare professional before substituting a medically prescribed treatment with a remedy, especially for serious conditions.
Can medicines be used as preventive measures?
Yes, some medicines are designed to prevent diseases, such as vaccines.
Can a remedy be considered medicine?
Yes, if a remedy has been scientifically validated and regulated, it can also be considered a medicine.
Are remedies safer than medicines?
Not necessarily; the safety of remedies depends on their ingredients and the conditions under which they are used. Lack of regulation means their safety isn’t always guaranteed.
How are medicines regulated?
Medicines are regulated by governmental bodies through rigorous testing for safety, efficacy, and quality.
Can a single substance be both a remedy and a medicine?
Yes, a substance can be both, depending on its use, effectiveness, and whether it has undergone scientific validation.
Why do some people prefer remedies over medicines?
Some prefer remedies due to personal beliefs, traditions, concerns about pharmaceuticals, or desires for natural treatment options.
What is the role of clinical trials in medicine?
Clinical trials test the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments, helping to ensure that medicines are scientifically validated.
How do I know if a remedy is safe to use?
It’s best to research, consult healthcare professionals, and consider any regulatory guidance available.
Are all medicines derived from natural sources?
Not all; medicines can be synthesized in labs or derived from natural sources.
Is it common for remedies to become medicines?
It happens, especially when remedies are scientifically researched and proven effective, leading to their acceptance as medicines.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
