Traditional medicine
Traditional
medicine (also known as indigenous or folk medicine) comprises medical aspects
of traditional knowledge that developed over generations within various
societies before the era of modern medicine. The World Health Organization
(WHO) defines traditional medicine as "the sum total of the knowledge,
skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences
indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the
maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or
treatment of physical and mental illness Traditional medicine is contrasted
with scientific medicine.
In some
Asian and African countries, up to 80% of the population relies on traditional
medicine for their primary health care needs. When adopted outside its
traditional culture, traditional medicine is often considered a form of
alternative medicine. Practices known as traditional medicines include
traditional European medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Korean
medicine, traditional African medicine, Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, Unani,
ancient Iranian Medicine, Iranian (Persian), Islamic medicine, Muti, and Ifá.
Scientific disciplines which study traditional medicine include herbalism,
ethnomedicine, ethnobotany, and medical anthropology.
The WHO
notes, however, that "inappropriate use of traditional medicines or
practices can have negative or dangerous effects" and that "further
research is needed to ascertain the efficacy and safety" of several of the
practices and medicinal plants used by traditional medicine systems. Ultimately,
the World Health Organization has implemented a nine year strategy to
"support Member States in developing proactive policies and implementing
action plans that will strengthen the role traditional medicine plays in
keeping populations healthy.
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