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What is Traditional Thai Medicine?

Traditional Thai Medicine...

is a profession related to the health of Thai people, which has been important and has coexisted with Thai society since ancient time. It is unique to Thai society and relies on the knowledge and wisdom of Thai people, who have experimented and practiced with it, leading to successful results that were then passed down through generations. Traditional Thai Medicine has a history and evolution that goes hand in hand with the history of the Thai nation. Evidence of it can be seen throughout various eras, including before the Sukhothai Kingdom, during the Sukhothai period, the Ayutthaya period, and the Rattanakosin period. A complete Traditional Thai Medicine practitioner must fulfill four main roles:

• Thai Medicine: This involves diagnosing diseases to find the causes based on the theories and principles of Traditional Thai Medicine. Afterward, treatment is provided according to the practices of Traditional Thai Medicine, which mainly involves using Thai medicines or herbal remedies.
• Thai Herbal Pharmacy: This refers to the preparation and/or production of Thai medicine, with 28 methods of preparing medicines, such as prepare powdered medicine, medicinal pastes, herbal pills and capsules, etc.
• Thai Midwifery: This involves caring for the health of mothers and children during pregnancy, both before and after childbirth. In the past, midwives also assisted with childbirth, but today, the focus has shifted more toward postnatal care rather than delivering babies.
• Thai Medical Acupressure Massage: This involves treating and relieving patients' symptoms through massage, which may also be combined with herbal medicines for consumption.

 

It can be seen that a complete Traditional Thai Medicine Doctor must possess knowledge, skills, and competence in all four areas. However, each practitioner may specialize and have expertise in different areas, leading to specialized practitioners such as herbalists (specialized in treating diseases with herbal medicines), midwives (specialized in Thai midwifery and childbirth), and massage therapists (specialized in treating diseases through massage).

To practice Traditional Thai Medicine, one must hold a professional license in one of four fields: Thai Medicine, Thai Pharmacy, Thai Midwifery, or Thai Medical Acupressure Massage. Those who can practice in each field must pass exams and obtain the corresponding professional license. Individuals without a license cannot practice in
these fields. It is not necessary to obtain licenses in all four fields to practice; one can practice in whichever field they are licensed in.