TRADITIONAL MEDICINES OF INDIA. 1 THE ROLE OF MIND AND AUTOSUGGESTION IN THE EFFICACY OF MAGICO – RELIGIOUS PRACTICE OF TRIBAL MEDICINES

Magico – religious rites in treating physical and mental ailments once widespread in ancient India are still prevalent among the tribals / primitive societies. This study shows that it is based on a scientifically sound psychological approach. Magical incantation and other religious rites performed to cure the disease unknowingly affect the mind of patient who in turn subjected to have autosuggestions of getting cured. This generates a kind of psychic energy in him which then helps him to regain the natural capacity of the body to recover from the ailments.