Ethnomedicine is a sub-field of medical anthropology and deals with the study of traditional medicines: not only those that have relevant written sources (e.g. Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda), but especially those, whose knowledge and practices have been orally transmitted over the centuries. Medical anthropology is a branch of anthropology concerned with the application of anthropological and social science theory and method to better understand health, illness and healing. ... The term describes medical knowledge systems, which developed over centuries within various societies before the era of modern medicine; traditional medicines include medicines such as herbal medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese medicine, Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine, South African Muti, Yoruba Ifá, as well as other medical knowledge and... Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ... Shirodhara, one of the techniques of Ayurveda Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. ...

In the scientific arena, ethnomedical studies are generally characterized by a strong anthropological approach, more than a bio-medical one. The focus of these studies is then the perception and context of use of traditional medicines, and not their bio-evaluation. For the scientific journal named Science, see Science (journal). ... Anthropology (from the Greek word άνθρωπος = human) consists of the study of humankind (see genus Homo). ...

See Also

• Medicinal plants of the American West
• Ayurveda
• Ethnobiology
• Ethnobotany
• Herbalism
• Shamanism
• Chinese medicine
• Pharmacognosy

Medicinal plants of the American West are often under-represented in modern health care. ... Shirodhara, one of the techniques of Ayurveda Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. ... Ethnobiology is the study of the past and present interrelationships between human cultures and the plants, animals, and other organisms in their environment, including relationships with ecosystems as a whole. ... Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between plants and people: Fromethno - study of people and botany - study of plants. ... Dioscorides’ Materia Medica, c. ... A shaman doctor of Kyzyl. ... Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ... Pharmacognosy is the study of medicines from natural sources. ...

External links

• Information on Ethnomedicine, mostly of Asian traditions
• Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
• The Institute for Ethnomedicine