Community health promotion for sustainable well-being using the wisdom of traditional medicine practitioners of Isan, Thailand
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Abstract. Phon-Ngam P. 2025. Community health promotion for sustainable well-being using the wisdom of traditional medicine practitioners of Isan, Thailand. Asian J Ethnobiol 8: 324-331. This study employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to investigate and promote community health and sustainable well-being through the ethnomedical knowledge and practices of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) in Isan, Thailand. The study aimed to: (i) explore the roles, knowledge, and practices of TMPs in enhancing community health and resilience, (ii) develop and implement a community health promotion model grounded in traditional medicine wisdom, and (iii) evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the implemented model. Participants included TMPs, community leaders, health officers, and local villagers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participatory brainstorming sessions, and observation of traditional health practices. Findings indicate that TMPs play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, providing accessible and contextually relevant healthcare, and strengthening community cohesion and resilience. However, challenges such as limited recognition by formal health systems, insufficient mechanisms for knowledge transfer to younger generations, and weak integration with contemporary medical practices were identified. The proposed health promotion model emphasizes systematic documentation of traditional knowledge, collaborative engagement between TMPs and public health officers, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure the sustainable application of ethnomedicine in community health. The integrated model enhanced intergenerational learning, cultural preservation, and community empowerment while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 4, 11, and 15). Integrating traditional medicine wisdom through participatory approaches strengthens cultural identity and contributes to ethnobiology, ethnomedicine, and community health promotion. The findings provide adaptable insights for similar cultural and ecological contexts worldwide, supporting sustainable well-being and complementing modern public health systems.
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