Práctica de la medicina ancestral en la comunidad de Cachi del cantón El Tambo enero – agosto del 2023

Abstract

Abstract Ancestral medicine is one of the first healing alternatives at a physical, mental, and spiritual level used by native peoples and various cultures through healing rituals. Methodology: It was descriptive-bibliographic, using scientific bases such as Virtual Health Library and the Catholic University of Cuenca, IBECS, Scopus, PubMed, LILACS, BDENF, MEDLINE, SciELO, and Dialnet, from the last five years in English and Spanish, aiming to develop the literature review on the practices of ancestral medicine. Results: They were classified into five categories: the elements used for ancestral medicine, the diseases treated, the advantage of ancestral knowledge, and the benefits and limitations of the practice of ancestral medicine. Conclusion: The practices are associated with the experience and skill inherited from ancestors, which helps to restore health by its easy acquisition and low cost. The elements used are mainly phytotherapy, and some animals, such as chickens, guinea pigs, beetles, and earwigs, which can treat some illnesses, including the evil eye, bad air, pneumonia, infections, dislocations, earache, heart, urinary and gastrointestinal diseases. However, its use in the young population is decreasing. Keywords: ancestral knowledge, medicinal practices, ancestral medicine.