Folk medicine
Folk medicine refers to the healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to some in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience.
Definition[edit | edit source]
Folk medicine consists of the healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to some in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience. Folk medicine differs from traditional medicine, which refers to systems such as traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurveda and Arabic Unani Medicine, and to formalized aspects of folk medicine.
History[edit | edit source]
The history of folk medicine is as old as human civilization itself. It has been practiced by various cultures around the world for thousands of years. The knowledge and practices related to folk medicine are passed down from generation to generation, often orally.
Practices[edit | edit source]
Folk medicine practices vary widely across cultures, but they often include the use of herbs, spiritual healing, and physical therapies. Some common practices include the use of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage therapy, and spiritual healing.
Criticism[edit | edit source]
While folk medicine has been widely practiced for centuries, it has also been criticized for its lack of scientific evidence. Critics argue that many folk medicine practices are not based on empirical evidence and can potentially be harmful.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Alternative medicine
- Traditional medicine
- Herbal medicine
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Spiritual healing
References[edit | edit source]
| Folk medicine Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
