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Session 2: Clinical studies and clinical application of traditional & indigenous medicine

Treatment of the Symptoms of ùLomû Disorders Based on the

Concept of Lanna Folk Healers in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai
Provinces

Daranee Onchomchant

Mae FahLuang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Background and Rationale: The old Kingdom of Lanna in the north of Thailand is the
home of various ethnic groups with multi-ethnic cultural heritage on health care practices.
This study aimed to investigate individual tacit knowledge about ùLomû (literally means ùwindû)
disorders, the meanings, the believes and the treatment of symptoms of ùLomû disorders based
on the concept of Lanna folk healers in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai Provinces.
Objective: To study the knowledge about Lom disorders and Lanna treatment proce-
dures of the symptoms of ùLomû disorders as the basis for knowledge development which can
be applied and formulated into a curriculum for the next generation of Lanna folk healers in
the upper northern Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-Region.
Methods: In-depth interviews and group discussion were employed to collect data from
9 expert folk healers who provided treatment for people in their communities in Chiang Rai
and Chiang Mai Provinces. The treatment procedures and the practice of 9 folk healers were
observed at the home clinics. The meeting with 15 folk healers was organized to confirm the
knowledge obtained.
Results: It was found that Lanna folk healers had basic believes in the balance of body
elements (dhatu) and the relationship between human and nature and supernatural beings.
Their explanations about ùLomû are dhatu Lom or wind is one of the four elements in the body
(earth, water, wind and fire). The causes of ùLomû disorders may be due to heat and cold that
causes disturbance to the body, poisonous food causing weakening of fire leading to indiges-
tion, malfunction of water and earth (stomach) elements, the ùwindû that could not enter the
body then moves upward resulting in ùLomû disorders, air pollution, and seasonal change.
Lanna healers divide ùLomû disorders into 16 types; each type can be subdivided based on
symptoms, causes and wind-affected organs. Diagnosis is based on observations, body exami-
nations and rites. Treatment usually relies on herbs combined with rites. There are 346 herbs/
medicinal plants that can be used for the treatment of ùLomû disorders. Commonly found ùLomû
disorders that have still been treated by Lanna procedure include ùLom Pid Duenû (postpartum
disorders), ùLom San Ni Baatû (neurological problems), ùLom Ma Hokû (disorders of body tissues)
and ùLom Ma Heng Kudû (neurological and blood circulation disorders).
Conclusion: It was found that folk healers still play a role in providing health care for
community people. Their knowledge is therefore crucial for the promotion of self-health care.
Hence, in-depth studies of their knowledge should be encouraged to promote the use of local
wisdom of health care of their culture, to further develop and inherit the knowledge, and
eventually integrate the knowledge in the health care and education systems in the future.
Key words: Lom disorder, wind dhatu, folk healer, Lanna, traditional knowledge