A study of local wisdom regarding therapeutics in Sisaket province

Abstract

Background: The use of local wisdom is an alternative treatment with various methods, which is treated with local resources by experienced folk healers. Objective: Study knowledge about local wisdom regarding therapeutics in Sisaket province. Methods: Descriptive qualitative research, the informants were 25 traditional doctors in Sisaket province. The research instrument were a researchers and Semi-structured in-depth interview guideline. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant and non-participant observation. Data were analyzed using a content analysis method with a non-theoretical situation analysis approach.. Results: The knowledge of local wisdom regarding disease treatment can be categorized into six groups: (1) Sources of knowledge and transmission of local wisdom, (2) Herbal wisdom in therapeutics which were divided into 12 groups of symptoms, (4) Regulations for patients receiving treatment from folk healers, (5) Ethical practices of folk healers, and (6) Challenges and obstacles in transferring knowledge to the next  generations. Conclusion: Therapeutics with the local wisdom remains popular due to its simplicity, minimal side effects, less expenses, and less suffer from treatment. Therefore, it serves as an alternative treatment that should be appropriately integrated with modern medical practices.