folk medicine

noun

1. health practices arising from superstition, cultural traditions, or empirical use of native remedies, especially food substances.

folk medicine

noun

1. the traditional art of medicine as practised among rustic communities and primitive peoples, consisting typically of the use of herbal remedies, fruits and vegetables thought to have healing power, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of folk medicine¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Herb-gathering by moonlight, so important a feature in European folk medicine, seems to be no part of Cherokee ceremonial.

From Project Gutenberg

The curious directions for uncoiling the snake have parallels in European folk medicine.

From Project Gutenberg

Folk medicine in all regions is still relying upon the potency of mystical cords and girdles to facilitate labor.

From Project Gutenberg

The same idea in regard to spittle is found in European folk medicine.

From Project Gutenberg

"Dragon's milk," a favourite compound of mighty power in the magic formul of Finnish and Magyar folk-medicine.

From Project Gutenberg