Traditional Medicine Around the World (Infographic)

Let’s explore global health, history, and culture through the lens of traditional medicine. From botanical concoctions to energy-restoring massages, these culturally significant practices are designed to nurture the mind, body, and soul. Here are a few notable healing traditions from around the world.

Curanderismo, derived from the Spanish curar (“to heal”), is a holistic healing tradition in Latin American cultures. Folk healers—curanderos (male) and curanderas (female)—use herbal remedies, massage therapies, and spiritual rites to treat physical and mental ailments. For instance, digestive problems are treated with teas made from native plants like Mexican tarragon and epazote, which are both recorded in Aztec medicinal practices. To counter the superstitious curse mal de ojo (“the evil eye”), curanderos may prescribe protective amulets made from black azabache gemstones. They may also perform a ritual in which a raw egg is rubbed over the afflicted person, then cracked into water and placed under their bed to absorb negative energy.

Unani medicine, a naturopathic practice rooted in Greco-Arabic traditions, is prominent in South Asia andthe Middle East. It originated with Greek philosopher Hippocrates, evolved under the Persian and Arabic empires, and later propagated in India. Unani practitioners, the hakims, believe in tabiyat—the body’s innate ability to combat disease. They strengthen it by balancing six key external factors (asbab-e-sittah–zarooriah): air (hawa), diet (makool-wo-mashroob), physical activity (harkat-wo-sakoon-e-jismiah), mental state (harkat-o-sakoon nafsaniah), sleep cycles (naum-o-yaqzah), and bodily retention and excretion (ihtebas andistifragh).

Ayurveda, from the Sanskrit ayus (life) and veda (knowledge), translates to “knowledge of life.” Originating in India over 5000 years ago, it is the world’s oldest traditional healing method. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that health requires a balance of three energies (doshas) based on natural elements: air (vata), fire (pitta), and water (kapha). Dosha imbalances are treated through breathing exercises (pranayama), oil massages (abhyanga), meditation (rasayana), yoga, detoxification (pancha karma), and herbal medicine. For instance, abhyanga with warm sesame oil can be used to treat poor circulation, stress, and musculoskeletal pain. Botanicals like guggul(gum resin from the mukul myrrh tree) and fenugreekare also ingested to lower cholesterol levels in this practice.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a 2000-year-old healing approach that is practiced not only in China but also in Korea and Japan. TCM is focused on balancing yin and yang – the opposing forces that regulate the body. This balance is deemed critical for maintaining the flow of qi, a vital energy that courses through the body’s meridian channels and maintains good health. To treat physical and mental ailments, TCM restores balance and flow through acupuncture, moxibustion (burning herbs near the skin), herbal teas, tui na massage, and mindful movement practices like tai chi and qi gong.

According to UNESCO, over 80% of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine as their primary source of healthcare. Beyond its deep cultural roots, African Traditional Medicine (ATM) remains the most accessible and affordable form of care on the continent. In fact, Africa has a higher ratio of traditional healers (1 per 500 people) than conventional doctors (1 per 40,000).Drawing from the region’s rich biodiversity, ATM incorporates local plants and spices such as eucalyptus, neem, cinnamon, clove, garlic, and ginger in traditional remedies that have been passed down for generations. Currently, over 34 research institutions in Africa are studying these treatments with the goal of integrating ATM into healthcare policies.

Traditional medicine is categorized as pseudoscience due to its lack of rigorous scientific validation. Yet from an anthropological perspective, traditional medicine acts as a cultural fulcrum, deeply intertwined with regional identity, spirituality, and history. Also, despite advancements in evidence-based medicine, traditional healing practices continue to play a vital role in many communities. There is great value in learning from the diversity of these approaches as they may have benefits Western medicine has yet to understand. Given its widespread use and cultural significance, further research may be worthwhile to assess its efficacy and explore ways to complement modern medical practices.