1. FOLK
MEDICINE

2. INTRODUCTION
 Medicine began as an art and graduallyMedicine began as an art and gradually
evolved into science over the centuries. If weevolved into science over the centuries. If we
trace the history of medicine from moderntrace the history of medicine from modern
medicine to antiquity we will find that medicalmedicine to antiquity we will find that medical
knowledge has been derived to a very greatknowledge has been derived to a very great
degree, from intuitive and observationaldegree, from intuitive and observational
propositions, tempered by evaluatingpropositions, tempered by evaluating
interpretations.interpretations.
 A history of medicine thus constitutes a reviewA history of medicine thus constitutes a review
of accomplishments and errors, false theoriesof accomplishments and errors, false theories
and misinformation and mistakenand misinformation and mistaken
interpretations which often had to be sweptinterpretations which often had to be swept

3. PRIMITIVE MEDICINEPRIMITIVE MEDICINE
 It has been truly said that medicine wasIt has been truly said that medicine was
conceived in the sympathy and born out ofconceived in the sympathy and born out of
necessity and that the first doctor was the firstnecessity and that the first doctor was the first
man, and first woman, the first nurse. Theman, and first woman, the first nurse. The
primitive medicine still persists in many parts ofprimitive medicine still persists in many parts of
the world in Asia, Africa, South America, etc.the world in Asia, Africa, South America, etc.
 The other forms of medicine are IndianThe other forms of medicine are Indian
medicine, Egyptian medicine, Mesopotonianmedicine, Egyptian medicine, Mesopotonian
medicine, Tibetan medicine, Greek medicinemedicine, Tibetan medicine, Greek medicine
and Roman medicine etc.and Roman medicine etc.

4. FOLK MEDICINEFOLK MEDICINE
 Treatment of ailment at home by remedies andTreatment of ailment at home by remedies and
simple measures based upon experience andsimple measures based upon experience and
knowledge handed over by generation by wordknowledge handed over by generation by word
of mouth.of mouth.
 Folk medicine comprises of traditional healingFolk medicine comprises of traditional healing
beliefs and method used in past andbeliefs and method used in past and
contemporary cultures mostly by people whocontemporary cultures mostly by people who
are not licensed medical practitioners. Folkare not licensed medical practitioners. Folk
medicine is a system based on traditionalmedicine is a system based on traditional
modes of conduct of coping with sickness.modes of conduct of coping with sickness.

5.  India is not only a home for institutionalizedIndia is not only a home for institutionalized
medical systems (such as ayurveda, unani andmedical systems (such as ayurveda, unani and
siddha). But also of folk and tribal medicinesiddha). But also of folk and tribal medicine
usually locally grown herbs.usually locally grown herbs.
– folk medicine are inexpensive, easily available.folk medicine are inexpensive, easily available.
– Folk medicine is the therapeutic utility of flora.Folk medicine is the therapeutic utility of flora.
– Available in the kitchen and grand mothers’Available in the kitchen and grand mothers’
remedies.remedies.

6. ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES
 Easily available and inexpensiveEasily available and inexpensive
 Some remedies are quite effectiveSome remedies are quite effective
DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
 Many remedies may be hazardous andMany remedies may be hazardous and
dangerous.dangerous.
 Folk medicines are based on word of mouthFolk medicines are based on word of mouth
and do not have any scientific background.and do not have any scientific background.

7. FUTURE OF FOLKFUTURE OF FOLK
MEDICINEMEDICINE
 Folk medicines at present situation are stillFolk medicines at present situation are still
popular in rural areas.popular in rural areas.
 As modern medicines are readily available, folkAs modern medicines are readily available, folk
medicines are gradually receiving lessmedicines are gradually receiving less
importance.importance.

8. SOME OF THE FOLKSOME OF THE FOLK
MEDICINESMEDICINES TOOTH ACHETOOTH ACHE
– Clove oil is applied to the painful tooth.Clove oil is applied to the painful tooth.
– twigs of cashew, neem, mango, banyan trees,twigs of cashew, neem, mango, banyan trees,
coconut fibres and datun to clean their teethcoconut fibres and datun to clean their teeth
– Datun is used in North Indian states as these twigsDatun is used in North Indian states as these twigs
have microbial properties, mechanical cleaninghave microbial properties, mechanical cleaning
action, could be considered a substitute for thoseaction, could be considered a substitute for those
groups who cannot afford tooth brushes.groups who cannot afford tooth brushes.
– African countries-people chew sticks of certainAfrican countries-people chew sticks of certain
trees (eg. Salvadora persica). Found to be goodtrees (eg. Salvadora persica). Found to be good
source of fluoride which inturn would providesource of fluoride which inturn would provide
anticaries effect.anticaries effect.

9. GINGIVAL MASSAGEGINGIVAL MASSAGE
Salt and coal is used to massage the gums and alsoSalt and coal is used to massage the gums and also
to clean the teeth.to clean the teeth.
Mishri – burnt tobacco leaves used for cleaning theMishri – burnt tobacco leaves used for cleaning the
teeth.teeth.
SORE THROATSORE THROAT
-Pepper powder is added to hot water or milk and-Pepper powder is added to hot water or milk and
used as a drink.used as a drink.
-Methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) are used for the-Methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) are used for the
treatment of female disorders like painfultreatment of female disorders like painful
menstruation, pain in the back, fever and pain inmenstruation, pain in the back, fever and pain in
different parts of the body after delivery.different parts of the body after delivery.

10.  Fever, cold malaiseFever, cold malaise
– Turmeric powder mixed in warm milk and givenTurmeric powder mixed in warm milk and given
three times a day.three times a day.
– Pepper powder mixed with honey.Pepper powder mixed with honey.
 VomitingVomiting
– Lemon juice with pinch of salt will be given.Lemon juice with pinch of salt will be given.
 Head achesHead aches
– Teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with honey is used.Teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with honey is used.
– Eucalyptus oil is used to relieve headache, jointEucalyptus oil is used to relieve headache, joint
pains etc.pains etc.

11.  IndigestionIndigestion
– Piece of ginger with a pinch of salt is given before food toPiece of ginger with a pinch of salt is given before food to
chew.chew.
 Parasitic infectionParasitic infection
– Neem powder mixed with hot milk or water is given.Neem powder mixed with hot milk or water is given.
 Burns and woundsBurns and wounds
– Turmeric paste is applied to the injured areaTurmeric paste is applied to the injured area
 Chicken poxChicken pox
– Neem leaves are crushed and applied all over the body andNeem leaves are crushed and applied all over the body and
bath is taken after some time. The patient is not allowed tobath is taken after some time. The patient is not allowed to
go out of the house for few days.go out of the house for few days.
 Common coldCommon cold
– Crushing the tulasi leaves to obtain juice. The juice is givenCrushing the tulasi leaves to obtain juice. The juice is given
2-3 times a day.2-3 times a day.
– Turmeric is mixed with warm milk and taken. Honey is alsoTurmeric is mixed with warm milk and taken. Honey is also
used during cold.used during cold.

12.  AsthmaAsthma
– An herb is kept in the mouth of a fish and dropped inAn herb is kept in the mouth of a fish and dropped in
the mouth of the patient.the mouth of the patient.
 ConstipationsConstipations
– Castor oil is used as luxativeCastor oil is used as luxative
 Tooth eruption painTooth eruption pain
– Tulasi and salt is crushed and applied to the area.Tulasi and salt is crushed and applied to the area.
 CoughCough
– Cloves are kept in the moth and chewed slowlyCloves are kept in the moth and chewed slowly
– Clove powder mixed with jaggery, sugar or honeyClove powder mixed with jaggery, sugar or honey
are added to ordinary tea relieves cough.are added to ordinary tea relieves cough.