The Wisdom of Epilepsy Treatment and Medical Pluralism in the Context of Isan Society

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to study the wisdom of epilepsy treatment as a medical pluralism in Ban Khok Klang community, Borabue district, Mahasarakham province. The informants were experts, villagers, elders, monks, academicians, and youths in the community. The collected data were analyzed with the wisdom and medical pluralism concepts. The results showed that the wisdom of epilepsy treatment in the Ban Khok Klang community had been passed down from the ancestors of the Saen Yen Family to younger generations to treat epilepsy patients inside and outside the community. The wisdom of epilepsy treatment revealed 14 active ingredients: 1) Siamese Randia, 2) Ellipanthus Tomentosus Kurz, 3) Vietnamese Mickey Mouse, 4) Indian Elm, 5) Hymenocardia Wallichii, 6) Covellia Assamica Miq, 7) Salacia Chinensis, 8) Black Sugar Cane, 9) Nutgrass tubers, 10) Smilax Corbularia Kunth, 11) Ga-fak Noi Na, 12) Loranthou Parasiticus, 13) Jackfruit leaf and 14) raw sticky rice. Even though modern medicine plays a significant role in sickness treatment, appreciating and applying the community's wisdom to treat disease as a medical pluralism gives the community an alternative way to manage health with local herbs and encourages appreciation and pride of Local Wisdom Heritage.