The evolution of ancient healing practices: From shamanism to Hippocratic medicine: A review.
Medicine July 1, 2024 Retracted DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000039005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Citations | 59 |
| Key points | Argues that ancient healing traditions, especially shamanic and Hippocratic practices, offer insights that can enhance modern healthcare through holistic and integrative approaches. |
Abstract
In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, ancient healing traditions cast a profound shadow, offering insights and inspirations that resonate with modern medical practice. This paper explores the enduring influence of shamanic and Hippocratic healing traditions on contemporary healthcare, examining their contributions to holistic health approaches, diagnostic techniques, and ethical standards. The Hippocratic emphasis on observation, clinical experience, and ethical principles laid the foundation for modern Western medicine, while shamanic practices highlight the importance of spiritual and psychological dimensions in healing. The comparative analysis reveals both commonalities and distinctions among various ancient practices, such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and indigenous healing systems, emphasizing their holistic understanding of health and the use of natural remedies. Cross-cultural exchanges, from the Silk Road to the Islamic Golden Age and beyond, facilitated the integration and dissemination of medical knowledge, enriching global medical traditions. The paper also discusses the impact of these ancient practices on contemporary healthcare systems, highlighting the resurgence of holistic and integrative medicine, the validation and incorporation of herbal remedies, and the challenges of cultural appropriation and scientific validation. By embracing the wisdom of ancient healing traditions and fostering collaboration between traditional and modern medicine, contemporary healthcare can enhance therapeutic options, promote patient-centered care, and address global health challenges with a more inclusive and compassionate approach. This integration holds promise for the future of healthcare, benefiting individuals and communities worldwide.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond | 2014 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Shamanism as the Original Neurotheology | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Cognitive Neuroscience, Shamanism and the Rock Art of Native California | 1998 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From Culture to Experience: Shamanism in the Pages of the Soviet Anti-Religious Press | 2020 | Historical analysis | |
| Anthropology, Shamanism, and Alternate Ways of Knowing–Being in the World: One Anthropologist's Journey of Discovery and Transformation | 2010 | Reflective essay or personal narrative |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
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- Perspectives on Meditation-based Preparation for Psychedelic Experiences: Insights from Practitioners with Combined Meditation and Psychedelic Experience Mindfulness August 15, 2026
- PERFORMATIVE ARCHIVES: EMBODYING MEMORY, ENVIRONMENT, AND SPIRIT IN INDIA’S INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts March 27, 2026
- Current U.S. Approaches to Studying Psychedelic Medicines Compared to Psychedelics Use Among Indigenous Groups: What Are We Missing? Journal of Humanistic Psychology March 22, 2025
- Breathwork and holistic wellbeing: A protocol for a scoping review. PLoS One 2025
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