Blurred Lines

It can sometimes be difficult to draw a clear line between official, book-learned medicine, and the folk tradition: historically, the two streams have tended to influence each other. The majority of folk medicine can be understood as community based resources for dealing with illness. However, just because a cure falls outside official medicine, does not mean it has roots in folklore.

Today, for instance, light therapy” is a pseudoscientific, potentially dangerous invention which has been implicated in the deaths of patients with cancer who did not seek medical treatment. Homeopathy, which purports to cure illness by diluting natural substances to below-trace levels, was influenced by folklore but was created in 1796 by a German physician and is a specialised practice. Neither is, of themselve, rooted in folk tradition.

Red Valerian

Valerian may be used in herbal tea to help reduce tension and promote sleep.

Carsten Krieger

Red Valerian
Carsten Krieger

Red Valerian

Valerian may be used in herbal tea to help reduce tension and promote sleep.

Carsten Krieger

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Folk medicine should be approached with caution. When herbal remedies were widespread, our ancestors understood how to use them. Traditionally, people who avail of alternative medical remedies rely on recommendations from friends, family, or members of their community, and are reasonably informed as to what they are putting into their bodies. Much of that knowledge has been lost; what was a safe remedy could be lethal in ignorant hands – for example, an incorrect dose of a toxic plant could cause kidney or liver failure.