English

Alternative forms

• folk-medicine

Noun

folk medicine ‎(countable and uncountable, plural folk medicines)

1. (uncountable) Traditional medical practices developed and used by nonphysicians, typically involving customary homespun techniques and medicinal remedies derived from native plants.
   • 1935 Sept. 2, "Medicine: Chemotherapy," Time (retrieved 8 June 2014):

     He learned medicine and surgery "from executioners, bathkeepers, gypsies, midwives, and fortune tellers and incidentally acquired an unusual knowledge of folk-medicine and a permanent taste for low company."

   • 2008 March 11, Eric Nagourney, "Nostrums: Aromatherapy Rarely Stands Up to Testing," New York Times (retrieved 8 June 2014):

     Aromatherapy is a big business, and its roots run deep in folk medicine.

2. (countable) A particular medicinal remedy used in such traditional medical practices.
   • 1996 Aug. 2, Liz Hunt, "Flower-power remedy proves equal of anti-depressant drugs," The Independent (UK) (retrieved 8 June 2014):

     A folk medicine traditionally used to treat depression is as effective as standard anti-depressant drugs and has fewer side-effects, according to a new study.

Synonyms

• indigenous medicine, traditional medicine

See also

• nostrum

References

• folk medicine at OneLook Dictionary Search