Traditional medicine

Traditional medicine, also known as Indigenous medicine or folk medicine, is the knowledge and practices used by different societies, especially Indigenous groups, to treat illness and stay healthy. It includes well-known systems like Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and Unani.

Many people around the world use traditional medicine. It is reported that a large part of the population in Asian and African countries rely on it for their health care. According to a 2024 survey by the World Health Organization, two-thirds of countries say that at least 40% of their people use traditional or complementary medicine. The WHO supports using these methods but also points out that more research is needed to make sure they are safe and work well.

People have used medicinal herbs for over 5,000 years. Ancient civilizations like the Sumerians, Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese started this practice. It continued through Greek, Roman, Islamic, and medieval European times and into colonial America. These traditions are often passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation, taught by special healers such as shamans or midwives.

However, traditional medicine also has some problems. Because these remedies are not always regulated, there can be safety issues. Also, some practices use parts of endangered animals like slow lorises, sharks, elephants, and pangolins, which harms nature and supports illegal wildlife trade.

Usage and history

Further information: Medicine in ancient Greece and Medicine in ancient Rome

People have used plants to help with health for a very long time. Records show that around 5,000 years ago, ancient people in Sumer wrote about using plants for medicine. In Ancient Egypt, a paper from around 1552 BC listed many ways to use plants and magic to feel better.

Later, people in India and China wrote books about herbs and plants that could help with health. In Greece and Rome, important thinkers also wrote about plants and medicine. These ideas spread to many parts of the world over time.

In more recent history, people in many places continued to use traditional ways to stay healthy. Some of these old plant-based treatments helped lead to new medicines we use today. In December 2025, a global group was started to study how these old ways can fit into modern health care.

Knowledge transmission and creation

Indigenous medicine is usually passed down by speaking from one person to another within a community, family, or among individuals until it is "collected." In any culture, many people might know parts of this medicine, or it might be used by someone with a special role, like a shaman or a midwife. Three things make a healer’s role important: their own beliefs, how well their treatments work, and what the community believes. When a culture stops believing in indigenous medicine, it is often kept alive by people whose beliefs or lifestyles are seen as less common in that culture. This includes those who were born into these beliefs, people who seek it during difficult times, and those who only trust certain parts of it.

Definition and terminology

Traditional medicine refers to the knowledge and practices used by different cultures, especially Indigenous groups, to treat illness and keep people healthy. It includes systems like traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. These practices often involve using plants, herbs, and other natural materials to help with health problems.

Many cultures have their own versions of traditional medicine, passed down through generations. For example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia use bush medicine made from plants, while American Native and Alaska Native communities use traditional healing methods that connect health with spirituality. These practices have been used for thousands of years and are still important today.

Home remedies are another part of traditional medicine. These are simple treatments using everyday items like herbs, spices, or foods. For example, chicken soup is often used to help with colds, and aloe vera can treat skin problems. These remedies are usually passed down from family members and may not always have scientific proof, but they are trusted by many people.

Criticism

Many traditional medicines come from nature, but they can still be dangerous. For example, some medicines use parts of animals, which can spread diseases.

Some animals are in danger because people use them for traditional medicine. Animals like the slow loris, pangolins, and sharks are taken from the wild for this purpose. This hurts their populations and the environment.