The terms “alternative,” “complementary,” and “lifestyle” medicine are used to describe many kinds of products, practices, and treatments that are not part of standard or traditional medicine. Alternative therapy refers to non-standard treatment used in place of standard treatment. 

Reference : Stacy Simon Senior Editor, News, https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/the-truth-about-alternative-medical-treatments.html , June 28th, 2019