What's in the Cauldron: Witches, Folk Remedies, and their Contributions to Modern Medicine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65539/4pqm0w69Keywords:
history of medicine, folk medicine, pharmacology, natural products, drug discoveryAbstract
Disease is a part of the human condition and before the rigor of the scientific process and peer review, healers had to work with anecdotal folk remedies and word of mouth medicines. These folk remedies were often known by women and shaman who, throughout time, passed on their esoteric knowledge. Some of these remedies, like excretions from toads, Hemlock, Yew, and Foxglove have persisted for centuries and were used for a wide range of ailments. In modern days, with the use of the scientific process and peer review, these plants form the foundation of many medications. This demonstrates the benefit that can be gained with the investigation of folk medicine.
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