The enduring value of traditional folk remedies in the modern era.

Many traditional folk remedies are being re-evaluated from a modern scientific perspective, opening up new avenues for treating chronic diseases safely, naturally, and sustainably.

With chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, gout, and osteoarthritis becoming increasingly common, the demand for natural, safe, and affordable treatment methods is surging. Amidst this trend, traditional folk remedies – distilled from the knowledge of traditional medicine – are regaining attention from both the public and experts as a sustainable approach to supporting treatment and improving health.

Folk knowledge and its therapeutic potential

Vietnamese folk remedies, developed over hundreds of years and passed down within ethnic communities, are the result of a long process of accumulating experience regarding the medicinal effects of plants and herbs. Many remedies are still widely used today, such as bitter melon leaf tea to help regulate blood sugar, ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum tincture to nourish blood and energy, or betel leaf and mugwort extracts to relieve joint pain.

In traditional medicine practice, these herbal remedies are often combined according to the "ruler-minister-assistant-messenger" principle, simultaneously treating symptoms and regulating qi and blood, improving overall health. Clinical practice shows that many chronic patients, after combined use of controlled herbal remedies, have reported significant symptom reduction, improved sleep, reduced pain, and increased quality of life.

Instructing people on how to classify and process traditional herbal remedies.

From a scientific perspective

Today, medical research institutions and traditional medicine experts have begun to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of folk remedies. Initial results show that some traditional medicinal herbs have remarkable biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, blood sugar regulating, and lipid metabolism support.

For example, extracts from Gymnema sylvestre, turmeric, ginger, or Salvia miltiorrhiza all show potential in supporting the treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. For musculoskeletal disorders, many herbs such as Angelica dahurica, Eucommia ulmoides, Dipsacus japonicus, and Achyranthes bidentata have been shown to reduce pain, improve mobility, and slow down the inflammatory and degenerative processes.

However, experts also emphasize that much of the current evidence is only supportive. The use of herbal remedies should be considered as an adjunct therapy, accompanying modern medical treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.

Safety and potential risks

A common but mistaken belief is that "natural remedies are harmless." In reality, many people experience side effects from self-medicating with unverified or untested folk remedies, or from overdosing. Some medicinal plants may contain natural toxins, heavy metals, mold, or interact with existing medications, affecting the liver, kidneys, or cardiovascular system.

Therefore, experts advise people not to arbitrarily mix and use untested herbal remedies. Their use should be guided by a traditional medicine doctor, and products with clear origins and meeting safe cultivation and production standards should be chosen.

Standardization to elevate the status of traditional folk remedies.

One of the approaches proposed by experts is the standardization of medicinal herbs – from cultivation, harvesting, preservation to processing. The application of international standards on good agricultural and harvesting practices for medicinal herbs (GACP-WHO) is being implemented in many localities. This not only helps control the quality of medicinal herbs but also opens up opportunities for the sustainable development of raw material areas, linked to the green economy and the preservation of indigenous knowledge.

Simultaneously, more large-scale clinical studies are needed to determine the dosage, duration of use, and effectiveness of each remedy in specific disease groups. The integration of folk remedies into the modern healthcare system must be based on scientific evidence, ensuring safety, effectiveness, and transparency.

The active compounds in native medicinal plants are used to treat chronic diseases.

Combining tradition and modernity – the direction of the future.

In reality, when combined appropriately, traditional and modern medicine can complement each other very effectively. Folk remedies can help reduce the dosage of Western medicine, limit side effects, and strengthen the immune system for chronic patients. Meanwhile, modern medicine helps to closely monitor the treatment process, track clinical indicators, and ensure patient safety.

In particular, the development of modern extraction, processing, and testing technologies is opening up opportunities to "scientify" folk knowledge, bringing traditional remedies into convenient capsule, liquid extract, or herbal tea forms suitable for modern life. This is a way for traditional knowledge to not only be preserved but also developed and spread to the world as part of the value of Vietnamese medicine.

Towards sustainable healthcare

Overall, traditional folk remedies have great potential in treating common chronic diseases, but they need to be used correctly and supervised by a professional team. Combining traditional medical knowledge with modern science not only benefits patients but also helps preserve and promote Vietnam's valuable medicinal resources.

The path of development for traditional medicine is gradually expanding, aiming not only to cure diseases but also to provide holistic care – a harmonious blend of people, nature, and the millennia-old knowledge of the nation.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/gia-tri-ben-vung-cua-bai-thuoc-dan-gian-trong-thoi-dai-moi-169251103104623779.htm