folk-medicine

Noun

folk medicine (countable and uncountable, plural folk medicines)

1. (uncountable) Traditional medical practices developed and used by non-physicians, typically involving customary homespun techniques and medicinal remedies derived from native plants.
   • Holonyms: complementary medicine, integrative medicine, traditional medicine

   Synonyms:

   traditional medicine, indigenous medicine

2. (countable) A particular medicinal remedy used in such traditional medical practices.
   • A folk medicine traditionally used to treat depression is as effective as standard anti-depressant drugs and has fewer side-effects, according to a new study.1996 August 2, Liz Hunt, “Flower-power remedy proves equal of anti-depressant drugs”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 08 Jun 2014