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 about causes, symptoms and diet conditions for common ailments and diseases.
Provides information on natural cures for a variety of common illnesses.
Offers natural solutions for healing common health problems.
Cures for common childhood ailments and link to information about traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
The history of old medicine, and an old medical book.
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.
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)
Information about causes, symptoms and diet conditions for common ailments and diseases.
Suggestions for alternative treatments and cures.
Lists curative properties in food for common ailments.
Provides suggestions for treatments of common maladies such as sunburn and indigestion.
Provides information about herbal remedies, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy.
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.
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.
Offers natural solutions for healing common health problems.
Online resource for videos and articles on natural health and alternative medicine.
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.
Describes home remedy using a popular contact lens cleaning solution mixed with aloe vera gel.
A study of various alternative medicines in the Philippines.
Radio documentary describing traditional healing with herbs, aromas, massage and rituals. Requires Real Player.
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.
Cures for common childhood ailments and link to information about traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
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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