Abstract The effort to realize and uphold an optimum state of health has always
drilled the minds of men and as a result, a number of healing systems have evolved
around the world. Communities have devised systems to alleviate the tiresome
condition arising out of illnesses using their own technique, which vary from one
community to another. Each culture has set outlook regarding the disease causation
and these are rooted in their belief systems. There are several theories which
not only explain the cause of disease but also community’s health care seeking
approach. Archaeological and existing genetic facts state that human population
voyaged to the Indian subcontinent and their familiarity with herbs and other
naturally accessible material is as old as human civilization.Folk medicine
includes healing practices and ideas on health care which are limited to a particular
group in a culture, and are generally transmitted orally or word of mouth. In India,
folk medicine is highly conditioned by the impact of folk deities and, sometimes it
is so deep rooted that medicine and folk deities become an integrated whole.
Across the whole Himalayan Region, folk healers have a remarkable knowledge of
herbs, accumulated through generations and they have been developing the health
care traditions through constant experimentation and years of experience which is
rooted in understanding and realistic considerations.
Keywords