CONTRIBUŢII LA CERCETAREA ETNOIATRIEI ÎN MARAMUREŞ
Contributions to the Ethnoiatry Research in Maramures

Summary/Abstract: Our research is designed to mark a significant contribution to the study of an unexplored area in Maramures until now, so it has a unique character. In the first part we analyzed the role of the healer in the rural communities, and we focused on identifying the cause of the disease, in order to treat it. We then presented the system of measures to protect people’s health, highlighting the role and functions of amulets and charms. The investigation part of the introduction is an analysis of the circumstances and factors that generated the folk pharmacopoeia, giving importance to the composition of remedies used to treat various diseases and to the cure categories: hemostatic, astringent, cicatrising, toxic. We wrote in the recipe book different categories of medicines used for a single disease, with a view to highlight its alternative treating, counting on a better result of its healing. We focused our analysis on the elements that make up the rich folk pharmacopoeia: plants, chemicals, fruits, vegetables, cereal plants, trees, resins, wax and honey, oil, water - sometimes prepared magically etc. In the second part of the investigation, we reproduced, based on information provided by performers, results of the field research, a rich medical recipe book meant to show the richness of the folk pharmacopoeia, and the variety of internal and external diseases that were treated by a lot of remedies which we grouped in simple remedies, cure based on combinations, and remedies necessary in treatments that use magic or in mixed form, counting on magic combined with medicines. We have not omitted to point out the beliefs- bans and superstitions, made by man of the people, to act in order to prevent diseases.

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