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The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Vol. 30 No. 4 Oct.-Dec. 2005 958 Researching Traditional Medicine: A Review and Evaluation of Objectives and Methodologies Researching Traditional Medicine: A Review and Evaluation of Objectives and Methodologies Arika Virapongse 1 Chayan Picheansoonthon 1,2 Associate Fellow of the Academy of Science, The Royal Institute, Thailand 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. 2 President-Elect, International Society of Ethnobiology. Abstract The objectives and methods of published studies on traditional medicine are reviewed. Status and future of research on traditional medicine are also be evaluated. The majority of studies are descriptive, and results are often used as a basis for applied research which aim to test hypothesis and search for bioactive plant medicines. Common methodologies used in descriptive research are described in detail, including participatory observation, interviews, ethnographic techniques, inventories, patient logs/health calendars, and decision tables. Case studies are used to illustrate objectives and methods used in descriptive, hypothesis testing, and bioprospecting research. In the future, studies on traditional medicine will move towards standardizing descriptive results, hypothesis testing, effective use of interdisciplinary techniques, and applying results towards the benefit of both traditional and modern societies. Key words : traditional medicine, descriptive method, case study Introduction Traditional medicine is know- ledge of healthcare that has deve- loped over many generations within a community or a group of people. It involves both expert and non-expert health 1 care practitioners who have specific definitions of health con- ditions and symptoms and use a system of diagnosis and treatment. While traditional medical systems vary across cultures, all aim towards achieving overall mental, physical, and spiritual balance and harmony. 1-3 In contrast, biomedical treatment systems are based on the concept of Cartesian dualism which treats the body and mind as separate entities. 1,2 Although modern or orthodox medicine is today’s most dominant form of health care, traditional health care systems continue to play an important role in society. 1, 4-6 Contrary to popular belief, tra- ditional medicine is not limited to undeveloped areas of the world. Current studies have shown that immigrant communities in urban settings use traditional medicine to treat concepts of disease that are not recognized by biomedically trained physicians. 3 At the same time, the new age, holistic, and alternative medicine movement continues to gain momentum around ∫∑§«“¡ √— ∫‡™‘ ≠