Earthworm Use in Medicine as an Expression of Indigenous Practices
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Abstract
Earthworms have been used medicinally for millennia across multiple cultures. Their therapeutic use is deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, where healing practices are grounded in relationships with land, animals, and ecological processes. This manuscript synthesizes evidence on the Indigenous origins of earthworm-based remedies, situating them within broader traditions of Indigenous medicine and contemporary biomedical interest. Recognizing these origins is essential for ethical scholarship, cultural respect, and the responsible integration of traditional knowledge into modern health frameworks.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Reynolds JW, et al.
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