traditional medicine
Ancestral healing practices
Traditional medicine refers to healing practices, knowledge, and beliefs passed down through generations within a culture, often predating modern scientific medicine.
It encompasses herbal remedies, acupuncture, spiritual healing, and other approaches rooted in indigenous or ancient traditions: Traditional medicine remains the primary healthcare for millions in rural areas.
The term sometimes carries implicit contrast with evidence-based Western medicine, though many traditional treatments have been validated by clinical research.
Traditional Hindu healing practice
- naturopathyAlternative healing using nature
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- integrativeCombining into a whole
- mind-bodyMental-physical relationship
wellness · balance · qi · prana · doshas · constitution · prevention · whole person
Therapeutic needle insertion
- moxibustionBurning mugwort for healing
- cuppingSkin suction healing method
- acupressureTherapeutic point-pressing technique
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
shiatsu · reflexology · chiropractic · osteopathy · bone setting · meridians · pressure points · manipulation
Originating in a region
- folk remediesTraditional non-medical treatments
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
ethnobotany · shamanism · curandero · tribal · practices · wisdom · lore · home remedies
Indigenous spiritual healer
- healerOne who restores health
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
divination · purification · smudging · sweat lodge · blessing · prayer · energy · amulet
Related to plants
- tincturesMedicinal solutions in alcohol
- infusionsLiquids steeped with flavor
- decoctionsExtracts made by boiling
- ginsengPerennial with tonic root
echinacea · turmeric · chamomile · valerian · ginkgo · St. John's wort · ashwagandha · moringa
Father of medicine
- GalenClassical Roman-era physician
- AvicennaMedieval Persian physician-philosopher
- humorsAccommodates someone's wishes
- apothecaryHistorical medicine preparer
papyrus · scrolls · antiquity · alchemy · leeches · trepanation · bloodletting · plague
Ayurveda
Traditional Hindu healing practice
- naturopathyAlternative healing using nature
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- integrativeCombining into a whole
mind-body · wellness · balance · qi · prana · doshas · constitution · prevention · whole person · vitalism
acupuncture
Therapeutic needle insertion
- moxibustionBurning mugwort for healing
- cuppingSkin suction healing method
- acupressureTherapeutic point-pressing technique
massage · shiatsu · reflexology · chiropractic · osteopathy · bone setting · meridians · pressure points · manipulation · qi gong
indigenous
Originating in a region
- folk remediesTraditional non-medical treatments
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
heritage · ethnobotany · shamanism · curandero · tribal · practices · wisdom · lore · home remedies
shaman
Indigenous spiritual healer
incantation · divination · purification · smudging · sweat lodge · blessing · prayer · energy · amulet · talisman
botanical
Related to plants
- tincturesMedicinal solutions in alcohol
- infusionsLiquids steeped with flavor
- decoctionsExtracts made by boiling
ginseng · echinacea · turmeric · chamomile · valerian · ginkgo · St. John's wort · ashwagandha · moringa · elderberry
Hippocrates
Father of medicine
- GalenClassical Roman-era physician
- AvicennaMedieval Persian physician-philosopher
- humorsAccommodates someone's wishes
apothecary · papyrus · scrolls · antiquity · alchemy · leeches · trepanation · bloodletting · plague · pharmacy
- cultural heritagefolklore, traditions, customs, folk music revival, museum collections
- AfricaEgypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania
- traditionscustom, customs, cultural practices, rituals, heritage
- cultural traditionsflamenco, tango, kabuki, hula, capoeira
- treatmentstreatment, treatments, therapies, surgery, cure
- alternative medicineacupuncture, acupressure, Ayurveda, ayurveda, homeopathy
remedy, medicine, tradition, medical, traditional, medication, medicinal, traditionally, medicate