Folk medicine in Morocco

By Dr. Idris Maqbub

In Morocco, folk medicine is a social phenomenon that attracts many people, although some are sceptical. This type of medicine is popular with poor, simple people, but also with members of the middle and upper classes.

Researchers may use ethnographic, anthropological or sociological approaches to study folk medicine.

Although Morocco’s religious scholars reject medicine based on sorcery, magic and amulets, the majority of Moroccans ignore their teachings and consult healers for magical or herbal remedies.

In Moroccan society, the need for folk medicine stems from modern medicine’s inability to treat many incurable diseases. Although Morocco’s Ministry of Health issued laws to regulate folk medicine and treatments, in 2013, there were approximately 30 deaths by poisoning as a result of herbal treatments.