folk medicine

plural folk medicines · alternative folk-medicine

1. uncountableTraditional medical practices developed and used by non-physicians, typically involving customary homespun techniques and medicinal remedies derived from native plants.

   Holonyms: complementary medicine, integrative medicine, traditional medicine

   3 more examples

   Near-synonyms: traditional medicine (often synonymous but includes non-layperson skills), indigenous medicine (almost synonymous but is not applied to the folk medicine of non-Indigenous groups)

   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."

   1935 September 2, “Medicine: Chemotherapy”, in Time, retrieved 08 Jun 2014

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

   2008 March 11, Eric Nagourney, “Nostrums: Aromatherapy Rarely Stands Up to Testing”, in New York Times, retrieved 08 Jun 2014

   Synonyms: traditional medicine, indigenous medicine

2. countableA particular medicinal remedy used in such traditional medical practices.

   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.

   1996 August 2, Liz Hunt, “Flower-power remedy proves equal of anti-depressant drugs”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 08 Jun 2014