A MODEL OF HEALTHCARE BY BUDDHIST LOCAL WISDOM IN MAE THA DISTRICT, LAMPANG PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this research are: 1) to study healthcare through local wisdom by using herbs.  2) to study body of knowledge and methods of healthcare through local wisdom by using herbs and 3) to propose the model of healthcare by local wisdom in Mae Ta District, Lampang Province. The researcher collected data by in-depth interview with 25 persons. The acquired data were analyzed by means of the descriptive method and concluded the research results in the following details:

Healthcare by local wisdom has applied the use of herbs for basic treatment. The herb seedlings are planted or bought from pharmacy to mix with honey and mold into round ball as a bolus before boiling and drinking. From studying the knowledge and methods of Buddhist healthcare through local medical wisdom by using herbs.

The methods of healthcare through local wisdom by boil the herbs and apply them at the spot. The tree roots are spun and mixed with water. Patients should drink it until the symptoms of back and waist pain disappear. And use types of herb depend on the symptoms of patients, in which the local doctors apply the treatment that has been taught by the ancestors.

A model of Buddhist healthcare by local medical wisdom has symptom of the disease and local healers will analyze and diagnose the disease, then prescribe the herbs. The treatment also applies both herbs and modern medicines. The local healers usually do not ask for treatment fees and trust in healers which are accepted by people in the village. Herbs and modern medicines should be used concurrently but using herbs must be moderate, not too much, or not too little.