Traditional Medicine: Australia (Bush Medicine)

The traditional medicine of Australia is commonly referred to as bush medicine and is a unique form of traditional medicine that formed without influence from the other regions of the world, largely because of the geographical isolation of the land. Throughout history, the native people of Australia, Aboriginal people, encountered different health threats than their European, African, Asian, and American counterparts and developed medicinal beliefs and techniques to accommodate these needs. Isolated geographically, they were not exposed to the same infectious diseases that affected more densely populated areas. Instead, they were threatened by the natures of the land, snake bites, burns, and stingray stings. As a result, the majority of their medication used plants topically, applied directly to their wounds. When chronic diseases did appear, ...