Theoretical Medicine vs. Practical Medicine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa A. Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Traditional Healing ◽  
Practical Medicine ◽  
Theoretical Medicine ◽  
Mainstream Medicine ◽  
Medical Traditions ◽  
The Middle Ages

This chapter examines the differences between theoretical medicine, empirical medicine (or medicine as practiced), and folk medicine. A particular focus on midwives and traditional healers will be enhanced by examining folklore, herbals, and other diverse examples where we can find evidence of traditional medicine. Examples of contemporary debates between traditional healing and mainstream medicine may help us sort out the different medical traditions of the Middle Ages.

Introduction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa A. Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Theoretical Medicine ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Middle Ages

The introduction provides an overview of the research problems and how they will be approached, focusing particularly on how understanding women, food, medicine, and diet in the Middle Ages by using anthropological and folkloristic approaches can add to the understanding of these issues for non-elite populations. Research questions include: What do we know about women as food producers, feeders, and nurturers? What can be said about women as practitioners of folk or traditional medicine? How does this contrast with the written record of theoretical medicine? Finally, what were the cultural aspects surrounding women, food, and health, and how did it determine proper eating, fasting, and body shape?

The Main Stages of the Development of Incense Culture in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 24-37
Author(s):  
Elena E. Voytishek
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Spiritual Healing ◽  
New Age ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Aesthetic Attitude ◽  
Ritual Practices ◽  
The Middle Ages

The article provides an overview of the main stages and trends in the development of the incense culture of China from antiquity to the present day. It covers religious and magical rituals, sanitary and hygiene, traditional medicine, a set of spiritual, healing, artistic, and game practices and rituals of Taoist-Buddhist and Confucian character. In China, over several millennia, a colossal experience has been accumulated in terms of the use of aromatic raw materials of plant, mineral and animal origin: thousands of treatises and reference books have been written, the properties of individual incense and their combinations have been studied, detailed classifications have been drawn up and principles of religious cults and ritual practices have been developed. Along with the applied value of incense, an aesthetic attitude toward incense aromas also developed, which repeatedly ensured periods of rapid flourishing of incense culture in antiquity, the Middle Ages and on the cusp of the New Age. Currently, the traditional aromatic culture in China is experiencing a period of upsurge and revival. This provides ample opportunities for its study in various fields of knowledge, which indicates the relevance and multidimensional nature of the study of this topic.

Decolonizing Medicine

2019 ◽  
pp. 239-262
Author(s):  
Alex Broadbent
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Cultural Influence ◽  
The West ◽  
Cultural Expression ◽  
Mainstream Medicine ◽  
Medical Traditions

The phrase “traditional medicine” is commonly used to refer to medical traditions originating outside the West, and still practiced either as alternatives to or alongside Mainstream Medicine. Hard and dismissive attitudes to traditions with non-Western origins are obviously insensitive. It is clear that power and knowledge are intertwined. What counts as knowledge is partly determined by who has power. Moreover, medicine is clearly imbued with cultural influence. Yet if we reject medical relativism, we cannot accept that medicine is simply a cultural expression. We must consider which of two conflicting traditions, or two incompatible prescriptions, is correct (if either is). Medical Cosmopolitanism is a tool for negotiating the opposing temptations of excessive tolerance and dogmatism, and for understanding how one might “decolonize” medical knowledge. The chapter suggests that developments of the notion of decolonization can prevent a collapse into medical relativism, espousing “critical decolonization.”

Evolving Advice for Women’s Health Through Diet

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa A. Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Early Modern ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Early Modern Period ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Medieval Medicine ◽  
Modern Period ◽  
The Middle Ages

This chapter is a summary overview of how dietary advice for women changed from Galen through the Early Modern period. Literature from both anthropology and folklore are used to compare how both contemporary and historical foodways can inform our understanding of medieval medicine, and how women face some of the same cultural obstacles today regarding pregnancy and health as they have in other eras. Looking at folk medicine and traditional foodways can help us better understanding many aspects of the life of subaltern classes in the Middle Ages and beyond, and how food, medicine, and diet are ultimately culture-bound, even when they purport to be scientific.

Medicine and Pharmacy for Women. The Encounter of Jewish Thinking and Practices with the Arabic and Christian Medical Traditions

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Caballero-Navas
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
The Body ◽  
Jewish Communities ◽  
Medical Activity ◽  
Healthcare It ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Medical Traditions ◽  
Integrated Or ◽  
Female Physiology ◽  
The Middle Ages

This article presents a brief analysis of the ways in which women’s healthcare was understood by medieval Jews, as well as how this sphere of medical activity was learned, practised and disseminated among western Jewish communities during the Middle Ages. It examines the paths of transmission and reception of theories and notions of female physiology, health and disease within the Hebrew medical corpus, and it analyses the influence of the Arabic and Latin traditions in this process. In connection with the understanding of women’s healthcare, it pays some attention to adornment and decoration of the body, as part of the technology that focused on intervening in the functioning of the body. It also discusses succinctly the process through which medical ideas and concepts, as well as healing practices, were received, and integrated or refused, by Jews.

scholarly journals Importance of time in traditional medicine: a case of three plants use of Togolese pharmacopoeia

2020 ◽  
Vol 09 (02) ◽  
pp. 96-105
Author(s):  
Eli E. FRANCK ◽  
◽  
Wouyo ATAKPAMA ◽  
Tchadjobo TCHACONDO ◽  
Komlan BATAWILA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Liver Weight ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Alcoholic Extract ◽  
Toxicological Assessment ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Consensus Values ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The effectiveness of folk medicine has been demonstrated by several studies. However, the chrono-toxicological aspect is barely addressed. Objective. The present study, conducted in the region of Kara in Togo, assessed the importance of the factor "time" in the use of 3 plants commonly used in traditional pharmacopoeia: Sarcocephalus latifolius, Jatropha multifida, and Blighia sapida. Material and methods. The methodology was based on ethnobotanical surveys, semi-structured individual interviews of 36 traditional healers using the three plants. Analysis of these data was based on consensus values (CV), and use values (UV). A chrono-toxicological assessment of their hydro-alcoholic extracts permitted to determine the impact of administration time on liver and kidney of Swiss albinos mice male. Results. The most used organs by traditional healers were roots (UV=0.62) for S. latifolius, bark (UV=0.53) for B. sapida, and leaves (0.66) for J. multifida. Malaria was the most treated disease with S. latifolius (CV=0.44), and J. multifida (CV=0.5). Haemorrhoid was cured with B. sapida (CV=0.28). Plant parts were harvested mainly in the morning (VC≥ 0.55). The most recommended dosing period was morning - evening for S. latifolius (VC=0.70), and B. sapida (VC=0.70), and only in the morning for J. multifida (VC=0.50). The hydro-alcoholic extracts administration of S. latifolius at 12H increased significantly mice liver weight. There was also a significant increase in liver weight in mice treated morning and evening by a hydro-alcoholic extract of J. multifida. Conclusion. Checking account of harvest time, and/or administration of phytomedicines will contribute to improve significantly the effectiveness of traditional medicine.

Medieval Theories of Nutrition and Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa A. Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Medical System ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Theoretical Medicine ◽  
Humoral Theory ◽  
The Middle Ages

Ancient Greek humoral theory, as formulated primarily by Hippocrates and Galen, formed the basis of theoretical medicine in the Middle Ages. This chapter provides a brief overview of humoral theory, and explains how diet was directly related to disease and health in the Greek medical system. This chapter also traces some of the changes and modifications of humoral theory which took place through the Middle Ages.

scholarly journals Traditional Knowledge of Medicinal Plants Used in the Northeastern Part of Morocco

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Mohammed Reda Kachmar ◽  
Hanae Naceiri Mrabti ◽  
Meryem Bellahmar ◽  
Abdelilah Ouahbi ◽  
Zoubida Haloui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Mentha Pulegium ◽  
Ethnobotanical Survey ◽  
Origanum Compactum ◽  
Pharmacological Screening ◽  
Rosmarinus Officinalis L

The knowledge of the plants that are used may provide insight on their properties for further exploration. This study aimed to identify and collect data about medicinal plants used in traditional medicine by the population of the provincial region of Taza, Morocco. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 200 informants, competent villagers, herbalists, and traditional healers from the provincial region of Taza city through direct interviews using a structured questionnaire. The survey reported 55 plant species belonging to 28 families used in the folk medicine. Informants’ results showed that the most frequently used plants were Origanum compactum, Mentha pulegium, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Aloysia citrodora, Calamintha officinalis Moench, and Artemisia herba-alba Asso., with a relative frequency of citation of 76%, 72%, 60%, 42%, 40%, and 30%, respectively. Moreover, in this study, the Lamiaceae family was the most commonly reported plant family, and the leaves were the most frequently used parts of the plants; otherwise, decoction and infusion were the most used modes in the preparation of remedies from medicinal plants in the traditional medicine. The sociodemographic characteristics showed that women use medicinal plants slightly more than men, the illiterate people use the medicinal plant the most, and old people have more information about the medicinal plants than the new generations. The region of Taza of Morocco has an important floristic biodiversity of medicinal plants which are used in traditional medicine practice. This result provides a good database for pharmacological screening in the search for new plants that can contain new bioactive molecules that can be used as a bioactive ingredient of medicament or as a biological alternative in pharmacology.

scholarly journals Traditional knowledge of invertebrates used for medicine and magical–religious purposes by traditional healers and indigenous populations in the Plateau Department, Republic of Benin

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Estelle Yêyinou Loko ◽  
Sédami Medegan Fagla ◽  
Azize Orobiyi ◽  
Bienvenu Glinma ◽  
Joelle Toffa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Invertebrate Species ◽  
Republic Of Benin

Abstract Background Since ancient times, invertebrates have played an important role in the traditional medicine in many parts of the world. In south-eastern Benin, more specifically in the Plateau Department, invertebrates are widely used in folk medicine. However, studies on their therapeutic use has been neglected and their magical–religious purposes are poorly understood. The present study aims to document traditional knowledge related to the use of invertebrates for medicinal and magical–religious purposes by traditional healers and indigenous people of Plateau Department. Methods An ethno-sociological survey was conducted with 145 informants (80 traditional healers, 12 merchants of medicinal animals and 53 households) belonging to six ethnic groups, in 20 villages located in Plateau of Benin. Data were collected through the participatory rural appraisal method involving individual interviews and direct observations with semi-structured questionnaires. The collected data regarding various medicinal and magical–religious uses of invertebrates were analysed through informant consensus factor (ICF), use value (UV) and, fidelity level (FL). Results A total of 20 families and 38 species of invertebrates, distributed among 6 taxonomic categories, were found to be used to treat 50 different ailments. Insects occupied 64.7% of the total invertebrates listed. The African earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae K. and African giant snail Achatina achatina L. had the highest use values. The highest ICF value (1.0) was cited for diseases of the blood or blood-forming organs. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the influence of ethnic groups in the diseases treated with invertebrates. The highest FL (100%) was recorded for 12 invertebrate species treating various ailments. Most of invertebrate-based remedies were associated with plant species. The mode of administration was mainly oral and topical. Most of the invertebrate drugs were traditionally collected in nature or imported, mainly from Nigeria. In addition, 7 magical–religious practices are documented. Conclusions Our results reveal that several invertebrate species play an important role in healing practices and magical–religious rituals in the Plateau Department. We suggest further studies to confirm the presence of any bioactive compounds on invertebrate species use in traditional medicine. In addition, this study highlights the need for ecological investigations of these species, in order to develop strategies for their conservation and sustainable use.

scholarly journals Use of Medicinal Plants in Monterrey, Mexico

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 07-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Enrique GONZÁLEZ-STUART
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Traditional Healing ◽  
Spanish Language ◽  
Plant Use ◽  
Mainstream Medicine ◽  
Traditional Healing Practices ◽  
Source Of Information

Mexico has a rich tradition in medicinal plant use within its diverse traditional healing practices. Many people have used medicinal herbs to treat a variety of diseases and ailments for many generations. Located in the northeast, Monterrey is Mexico’s third largest city and one of the most industrialized cities in Latin America. In spite of widespread use of modern pharmaceuticals, and the availability of "scientific" or mainstream medicine in this city, many people still rely on traditional healers, as well as the use medicinal plants to combat illness. This study was undertaken in order to obtain information regarding the most popular medicinal plants used in Monterrey, as well as their uses, forms of application, and origin. Thirteen herbal providers voluntarily accepted to be interviewed within 2 of the city’s largest popular herbal marketplaces. A questionnaire written in the Spanish language was provided to all interviewees, regarding their years in business, their source of information or expertise in recommending herbs, as well as the type of herbs employed for the treatment of various diseases or afflictions. Fifty-six medicinal plants belonging to 27 botanical families, mostly sold as crude herbs, were mentioned by the herbal providers as being the most commonly used to treat various ailments.

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