FOLK MEDICINE IN UZBEKISTAN AND ITS HISTORICAL ROOTS: A TAPESTRY OF TRADITION, NATURE, AND WISDOM

Аннотация

Nestled at the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan stands as a living repository of ancient medical knowledge, where folk healing practices have evolved over millennia into a sophisticated system of health and well-being. This article explores the profound historical roots of Uzbek folk medicine, tracing its journey from pre-Islamic animism and shamanism, through the transformative Golden Age of Islamic science, to its resilient presence in the modern era. We examine its core philosophical principles—balance, harmony with nature, and preventive care—and detail its primary modalities, including phytotherapy, dietetics, manual therapies, and spiritual-psychological practices. By analyzing the scientific validation of certain traditional remedies and the ongoing process of integration with contemporary healthcare, this article argues that Uzbek folk medicine is not a relic of the past but a dynamic, culturally vital system that offers holistic insights relevant to global health paradigms today.