Folk Healing

Faith healing, Alternative medicine, Religion

English 102
April 12, 2011
Folk Healing in American Culture
Folk Medicine is more than homemade remedies. It is commonly referred to as what we call folklore today. Beliefs and practices thought to treat or cure a disease or ailment with certain roots, spices, plants, or other spiritual rituals linked with superstitions are common in Folk Medicine. To the people that practice folk healing, it is a science based on religious practices and principals. I The passing down of information from someone that generally doesn’t have much

knowledge of the subject matter is how “folk tales” and “old wives tales” arrived.

A Herbs, barks, and roots were thought to have healing powers.
1.Willow Bark contains the same ingredient as aspirin.

B Many of the alternative procedures are different in the way they are practiced but similar to modern medicine. II The medical community does not generally accept Folk Medicine claims.

A Folk Medicine has existed for as long as humans have existed. 1. Folk Medicine is often practiced simply for the sake of tradition or superstition. B Depending on their status in the community, religious leader did not always have the last say.

III. Southern African Americans still practice the traditions of folk medicine.
A. Religion among African Americans is full of what the whites call superstition.
1. Black superstitions are more in line with African religious beliefs.
2. The home stands as the first educational setting.
IV. Folk Medicine remains important among Mexican Americans.
A. Mexican American Folk Medicine consists of three levels.
1. Household, Neighborhood, and Herb Specialist are the most popular in these
in these communities.

English 102 – Distance
April 11, 2011
Folk Medicine in American culture
Folklore is what people say and do as a means to provide...
tracking img