Wisdom of Migraine Treatment: A Case Study of Folk Healers in Krabi Province
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Abstract
Introduction and objective: Migraine is a type of chronic headache. In Thai traditional medicine, it is comparable to Lom Pa Kang. People in Krabi province still receive medical treatment from folk healers. This research aimed to study wisdom about migraine treatment and explore medicinal plants used by folk healers in Krabi to treat migraine.
Methods: This qualitative research involved the selection of folk healers using purposive sampling and snowball and the collection of data on (1) general information about folk healers, (2) knowledge and wisdom of folk healers, (3) preparation of medicine formulas, and (4) information on herbal medicine formulas used in the treatment of migraine. The research was conducted over a period of 12 months.
Results: As described by folk healers, migraine is mainly caused by the wind element disorders resulting in headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision, affecting the fire element in patients with subsequent recurrences. When the two elements are out of balance, the water element (blood) is slack or insufficient blood flow to the brain, which causes headaches. Migraine is also caused by overwork, lack of sleep, eating spicy food, not eating at the right time, and stress. The treatment process includes taking a patient history, examining the body by taking the pulse on the wrist, prescribing herbal medicine, and giving advice. The principle of setting up a medicine recipe is that most folk healers will prescribe a medicine formula according to the cause of the illness and the patient's pulse rate. The medicinal formula has the main flavors being sukhum, and cool respectively. The herbs most often used by folk healers are ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) and jewel vine (Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth.).
Discussion: In Thai traditional medicine, migraine is caused by an aggravation of wind element in the body. Physical examination by feeling the pulse reveals that the Vata and Pitta beat rapidly and strongly. Taking mainly bitter and sukhum herbs helps reduce the aggravated fire element, disperses the wind, and helps balance the wind element. Herbs used in folk medicine recipes have been reported to have pharmacological effects with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Conclusion: According to folk medicine knowledge, migraine is caused by the exacerbation of Vata and Pitta, which are related to the characteristics of the pulse. Folk healers usually prepare a migraine drug formula chiefly containing calm and cool flavor herbs to reduce the strength of the wind and fire elements.
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