What is folk medicine?

These are remedies for illnesses that have been handed down from ancient times. Many of these remedies, while not being approved scientific treatments, (i.e. not part of modern medical treatment) have been found to have some beneficial components. (e.g. willow bark - gave rise to modern aspirin for the treatment of pain, the Madagascar Periwinkle contains a compound that is now used in the treatment of leukemia, the Foxglove contains belladonna used in treatment of certain heart conditions, poppy heads contain opium once used widely in the 19th century as the medical preparation 'laudanum').

Please note that I am not suggesting that you treat yourself with folk medicine, many herbs are very poisonous. if you are sick you should seek treatment from a qualified medical practitioner.