South Med J. 1986 Sep; 79(9): 1098-101.

Ancillary use of folk medicine by patients in primary care clinics in southwestern West Virginia.

Cook C, Baisden D.

At three urban and three rural primary care clinics in southwestern West Virginia, 170 patients were surveyed to ascertain the current extent of the practice of folk medicine. The study revealed that folk remedies continue to be used by a diverse population actively seeking medical care. Seventy-three percent of the respondents used one or more remedies during the preceding 12 months, with a mean use of 4.46 remedies per person. In addition, both the ailments treated and the remedies used had the potential for causing serious morbidity or mortality.