The Study of Local Wisdom in Health and Folk Medicine : Case Study of Changklang District Nakhonsithammarat Province

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to collect knowledge, treatment process, herbal medicine, knowledge inheritance, and the treatment expertise of the local folk doctors. This research used purposive sampling for in-depth interviews and observations from 6 folk doctors and 16 patients who received medications. The research found that folk doctor is the person that the villagers rely on when they are sick. Usually folk doctors are equipped with more than 10 years of experiences in treating patients and knowledge inheritance. Treatment process of folk doctors would have what is called “fees” as one of the components. There are 2 types of fees in this context which are; Rad Tang and Rad Pad. Each folk doctor has own expertise in treating different diseases. Some treat their patients using only herbs, but some treat patients using herbs together with ritual witchcraft. Initially, folk doctors would start by asking patient’s history, then do a body checkup, and finally observe the appearance and touch the unwell positions. After aforementioned processes were performed, folk doctors would then start diagnosing, initiating treatment process and evaluating treatment results together with giving medical advises as well as continuous treatment plan until the patient is fully recovered from the illness. Most folk doctors do not transfer knowledge to their pupils because there are many prohibitions and practices which includes the prohibition of claiming medical expenses from patients. This therefore results in having no inheritor to continue the knowledge of folk doctor.