Traditional medicine: a bridge between the past and the future of healthcare

This article examines the history of the formation and development of folk medicine as an important part of the traditional culture of the Kazakh people. The main purpose of the study is to introduce readers to the methods of treatment and healing that were used in Kazakh society for centuries, as well as to demonstrate their significance in modern healthcare. Although many researchers have addressed the topic of folk medicine, the scientific literature still lacks comprehensive studies that reveal its role in the formation of medical knowledge. This research seeks to fill this gap by focusing on the cultural and scientific foundations of traditional healing practices. The materials for the study include historical and scientific sources covering different stages in the development of folk medicine, as well as regulatory documents governing the activities of folk healers. The methodological framework comprises content analysis of scientific data, the ideographic method for describing traditional healing techniques, and the historical-comparative method, which made it possible to trace changes in society’s attitude toward folk medicine over time. The findings show that Kazakh folk medicine was based on careful observation of nature, the use of medicinal plants and livestock products, and practical skills developed through everyday economic activities. This knowledge laid the foundation for a unique pharmacopoeia, many elements of which have been incorporated into modern medicine. Today, although its role has diminished, folk medicine continues to be practiced as an additional source of healthcare and remains an essential part of cultural and scientific heritage. The study highlights the importance of folk medicine both as a cultural phenomenon and as a source of empirical knowledge that influenced the development of scientific concepts in healthcare. The results can be applied in further research on traditional cultural forms and in the development and refinement of modern models of complementary and alternative medicine