Celtic Traditional Medicine Methods
74
Despite the close relationships with Britain, the Celtic regions of Britain, Ireland and the Scottish Highlands, practiced their own unique form of folk medicine. They had their own set of Celtic traditional medicine methods that are still being practiced to this day. Although these traditions started before the Christian era, the Christian saints were eventually incorporated into their ancient customs.
Due to the Celtic region’s geographical isolation, their customs and Celtic traditional medicine methods have remained uninfluenced by the outside world. Unlike Britain’s folk medicine and traditions which incorporate several factors from other cultures. The survival of the Gaelic language of the Celts prove that they have preserved their ancient way of life throughout the centuries because of their detachment from the rest of the world.
Cromwell, Wales and the Isle of Man sit on the fringe of the Celtic region. One of the unique folklore traditions of the people from the Isle of Man is the custom of wearing a sprig of mugwort. Mugwort is another name for St. John’s plant. It is a medicinal herb used by many ancient cultures like the Greeks, Egyptians, Asians and Romans for digestive disorders, malaria, to improve appetite and to induce labor. In the Isle of Man, a sprig of this plant is worn to avert evil forces aside from using it as medicine.
Before the Romans brought Christianity to the British Isles, the Celts used amulets to ward off evil. These ancient amulets still survive to this day and some have taken a Christian form. Even the use of salt to avert evil is still being practiced. Some parts of Scotland didn’t experience the witch hunts during the 16th and 17th century which were prevalent in Britain. This could be the reason why many of their Celtictraditional medicine methods still remain intact.
Healing remedies, poetry, myth, religion and folklore were passed on from one generation to another. Certain families had generations of healers and doctors who were experts in Celtic traditional medicine methods. For example, the Scottish had the Beaton clan whose families were famous healers. The latter generations incorporated modern medical techniques to traditional medicine.
The Welch also had similar families who were known for their healing abilities such as the 13th century Meddygon Myddvai, the Physicians of Myddvai. Legend says that this family were gifted with healing abilities by their female ancestor. They eventually combined modern academic medicine with traditional folklore healing methods.
Although Celtic traditional medicine methods are now merged with Britain’s, there are still some differences in the way it is practiced. The Irish traditional medical practices never changed since the beginning, unlike Britain’s medical practices that evolved through the centuries.
The Celts mainly used plants and herbs as medicine and to avert evil spirits and events. They were also particularly talented at using the plants for poison aside from using them for healing. The herbs were sometimes used in religious rituals, as protection and as love potions. Many of the herbs were treated as sacred and divine. Occasionally, the Celts also used animals for their treatments and potions.
