For everyday illnesses, minor injuries, and preventative health, Amish families rely heavily on traditional folk medicine, herbal teas, home-formulated salves, and nutritional supplements passed down through generations.
Popular Traditional Home Remedies
- B&W Salve (Burdock & Chickweed): A famous herbal burn salve used across Amish communities to soothe skin and promote rapid healing.
- Herbal Tonics & Teas: Peppermint, chamomile, and elderberry brewed for digestion, immune support, and seasonal colds.
- Reflexology & Chiropractic Care: Non-invasive physical therapies are widely embraced for treating joint pain and back strain caused by manual labor.
The Tradition of Brauche (Folk Healing)
Historically, some communities practiced Brauche or “powwowing”—a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch folk healing practice combining spoken scriptural verses, laying on of hands, and natural herbs to treat ailments.