Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines folk medicine as "traditional medicine as practiced nonprofessionally especially by people isolated from modern medical services and usually involving the use of plant-derived remedies on an empirical basis".
As stated by David J. Hufford, professor in the Department of Humanities at the Penn State College of Medicine: Folk medicine is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that relies heavily (although not exclusively) on oral tradition. Strongly influenced by cultural norms and values, folk medicine generally comprises the "unofficial" or "lay" health beliefs and practices found in all societies. (Hufford DJ. "Folk medicine and health culture in contemporary society". Primary Care. 1997;24:723-741, cited in Report 13 of the Council on Scientific Affairs (A-97), American Medical Association)
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Provides suggestions for treatments of common maladies such as sunburn and indigestion.
Describes the author's experiences with Campa Indian remedies in the Amazon River Basin.
Suggestions for alternative treatments and cures.
Radio documentary describing traditional healing with herbs, aromas, massage and rituals. Requires Real Player.
Lists curative properties in food for common ailments.
Also offers water cures. Lists ailments and their suggested treatments.
Information on causes, symptoms and diet conditions for common ailments and diseases. Also provides information on health benefits from common ingredients like honey, garlic, aloe vera and other items.
Provides information on natural cures for a variety of common illnesses.
Offers natural solutions for healing common health problems.
Offers treatments and tips for ailments. Also has articles on skin care, meditation and the immune system.
Cures for common childhood ailments and link to information about traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
The history of old medicine, and an old medical book.
Indian traditional treatments for common childhood ailments.
A study of various alternative medicines in the Philippines.
Mothering Magazine offers an illustrated guide to preparing the placenta for consumption.
Suggests remedies for common problems such as stuffy noses, yeast infections, athlete's foot and hiccups.
A herbal medicinal system developed in South India. Offers tips for a variety of ailments with local produce.
Traditional folk remedies and ideas to treat common and not-so common ailments. Generated by readers of Simplitudes.com.
Describes home remedy using a popular contact lens cleaning solution mixed with aloe vera gel.
Provides natural home remedies for various diseases and conditions.
Online resource for videos and articles on natural health and alternative medicine.
An article by Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona presentsing research on how traditional practices can integrate with medicine to treat chronic illness. Includes comparison and demographic charts.
Referenced article describing beliefs and practices among the Anglo, Mexican and Black cultures in Texas.
Provides information about herbal remedies, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy.
Archived article from the east Texas weekly newspaper column All Things Historical. Describes remedies the author experienced in childhood and lists cures for warts.
(August 21, 2000)
Lists curative properties in food for common ailments.
Suggestions for alternative treatments and cures.
Provides suggestions for treatments of common maladies such as sunburn and indigestion.
Provides information about herbal remedies, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy.
Offers treatments and tips for ailments. Also has articles on skin care, meditation and the immune system.
Also offers water cures. Lists ailments and their suggested treatments.
A herbal medicinal system developed in South India. Offers tips for a variety of ailments with local produce.
Information on causes, symptoms and diet conditions for common ailments and diseases. Also provides information on health benefits from common ingredients like honey, garlic, aloe vera and other items.
Referenced article describing beliefs and practices among the Anglo, Mexican and Black cultures in Texas.
An article by Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona presentsing research on how traditional practices can integrate with medicine to treat chronic illness. Includes comparison and demographic charts.
Indian traditional treatments for common childhood ailments.
Online resource for videos and articles on natural health and alternative medicine.
Offers natural solutions for healing common health problems.
Provides natural home remedies for various diseases and conditions.
Mothering Magazine offers an illustrated guide to preparing the placenta for consumption.
The history of old medicine, and an old medical book.
Provides information on natural cures for a variety of common illnesses.
Traditional folk remedies and ideas to treat common and not-so common ailments. Generated by readers of Simplitudes.com.
Radio documentary describing traditional healing with herbs, aromas, massage and rituals. Requires Real Player.
Cures for common childhood ailments and link to information about traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
A study of various alternative medicines in the Philippines.
Suggests remedies for common problems such as stuffy noses, yeast infections, athlete's foot and hiccups.
Describes the author's experiences with Campa Indian remedies in the Amazon River Basin.
Describes home remedy using a popular contact lens cleaning solution mixed with aloe vera gel.
Archived article from the east Texas weekly newspaper column All Things Historical. Describes remedies the author experienced in childhood and lists cures for warts.
(August 21, 2000)
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