Until recently (although such cases are also found in modern society), the Roma did not have access to quality medical services and medicines. Difficult living conditions - a nomadic lifestyle, constant exposure to fresh air, problems with nutrition, lack of conditions for personal hygiene - all these factors had a negative impact on their physical condition. To treat the Roma, they had to use improvised means that they could get.

What else is important to note here is that traditional Roma medicine was passed down from older to younger generations. This knowledge was often not recorded in writing, but was preserved orally, making it part of the cultural heritage. 

Research into Roma medical practices has interested researchers since the beginning of the 20th century; materials were collected in England (Thomas William Thompson), Russia (N.A. Pankov), Poland (Czesław Bańkowski), Moldova (N. Gradinaru) and a number of other countries. 

Traditional Roma medicine typically uses herbs, roots and fruits. Their use varied from region to region and depending on the problem that needed to be treated. For example, in some regions, barberry berries were chewed to improve appetite, develop health and gums, and a decoction of the berries was used to combat fever. The roots of some plants, mixed with animal fat, were used to create compresses to speed up the healing of bone fractures. Nettle leaves were used not only for making soups, but also for treating joint diseases. Not one of these medicines is given to a patient without first whispering mysterious spells and incantations over him. But these spells are pronounced by the healer so quietly that not only the witnesses of the treatment, but also the patient himself cannot hear them. Among other things, the healer should keep these magic words in the deepest secrecy, which he can convey to another only before his death; otherwise, his medicine must lose its power. 

Along with plants and fruits, healing and cleansing properties were also attributed to metals. For example, the Kelderash perceived gold as a means of combating diseases and even for the treatment of internal organs.

In a number of historical sources from the 19th century, the art of healing is mentioned as one of the practices carried out by Roma women, who specialized in treating children's illnesses, knew how to cure teeth with special magic words, and were engaged in the production of talismans. Roma healers often used special diagnostic methods, such as "reading" the palm, gaze, or analyzing symptoms that the healer might observe.

Poor health and failures in life are often associated with damage or the evil eye (yakhaló), usually Roma use special talismans to prevent this harm. Similar amulets are well described in studies devoted to the culture of the Kelderash. When they made a talisman for children (bayero), they always used gold, and often applied special patterns. Typically, the bayero looked like a small cloth bag filled with dried herbs and various small pieces of objects (You can read more about this in the articles by A.V. Chernykh and E. Ficowski). In addition to gold, bayero could contain small shells or beads.

Local religious beliefs had a strong influence on Roma alternative medicine. For example, in regions where Orthodoxy is widespread, traditional customs were often mixed with Orthodox church rites. To illustrate, among the Roma living in Russia, it was common to treat diseases not only with herbs and decoctions, but also with water poured from an icon (a small image of a God or saint).

In conclusion, traditional Roma medicine reflects a unique blend of cultural heritage, practical knowledge, and spiritual beliefs. To treat illnesses and maintain health, the Roma used special practices based on the use of everyday objects, available plants, and belief in the magical power of words. These practices have been passed down from generation to generation, preserving not only knowledge about medicinal plants, but also a deep-rooted belief in the power of magic and spirituality. The influence of local religious traditions further shaped these practices by combining Roma treatment methods with local customs. While modern medicine has provided Roma with better access to healthcare, the rich history of their traditional medicine remains an important part of their cultural identity and continues to be studied by researchers around the world.