Endangered Wisdom: Challenges and Prospects of Kerala’s Healing Traditions

In Kerala, a pluralistic medical landscape exists, encompassing both modern systems like allopathy and traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Nattuvaidyam. Despite the historical significance and deep-rooted cultural presence of traditional healing practices like Nattuvaidyam, these systems face increasing marginalization, largely due to the dominance of modern medicine and limited governmental support. While traditional medicine is still relied upon by significant portions of the global population, especially in developing regions, Nattuvaidyam in Kerala has seen a notable decline in both usage and transmission. This study aims to explore the socio-cultural and institutional factors contributing to the challenges faced by traditional healers in Kerala. Through a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with practitioners and patients, participatory observation, and quantitative surveys, this research seeks to identify the specific barriers to the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge. Furthermore, it explores how the government’s healthcare policies and resource allocation impact the survival of these systems. The study's findings will inform strategies for revitalizing traditional medicine and integrating it with modern healthcare, thus promoting cost-effective, culturally sensitive medical pluralism.