There is a difference not only between a herb and a drug but also between the therapeutic approach of the traditional medicine practitioner and the biomedical physician. Both have their place and this is why the efforts of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to integrate traditional medicine into the medical services of a country are so important. If both are integrated into a health service, then, everyone gets the advantages of both systems.
The main difference in the therapeutic approach is that traditional medicine will always have a whole-body approach where health is seen as a balance of the emotional, spiritual, physical, and rational aspects of our lives. The biomedical physician will concentrate on the symptoms being presented and the approach to care is targeted towards relieving those symptoms through pharmaceutical or surgical methods. Traditional medicine acknowledges the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, and recognizes that mental and emotional factors can influence physical health. It emphasizes the importance of psychological well-being, stress reduction, and addressing emotional issues as part of the healing process. Biomedicine, while recognizing some mind-body interactions, often places less emphasis on the psychological and social aspects of health.
Also, the traditional physician will encourage their patients to look after themselves and take responsibility for their health by showing them how to adopt self-care practises. Biomedicine tends to focus more on disease management rather than proactive prevention. Both have their place.
The Irish belief in the unfolding year and the different rituals, work, and plat associated with each season is one way of maintaining health through the different seasons. This method allows us to become attuned to nature and part of the beauty of the cyclical year.
To explore more about the Irish traditions pertaining to health and healing, checkout my Health & Healing in the Irish Calendar Year course. This course will give you an insight into the different seasons of the cyclical year and how it is used for maintaining a balance between the emotional, spiritual, physical, and rational aspects of your life.
