Women and the Evolution of Healthcare: Women’s Healthcare Throughout History

Published on June 18, 2024

Women in healthcare

For the first time in history, women’s medicine is taking a front-row seat and is in part guiding the new healthcare discussions. 

Until recently, healthcare decisions and research have primarily revolved around men. 

However, women now control over 80% of healthcare expenditures in America, which is helping even the playing field.REF#4096

Although most medical research is still slanted toward men,REF#4097 modern women are the first women in history to actually anticipate longevity and self-directed health care, in part due to the natural health movement that is sweeping society.

In this article, we celebrate women and the evolution of healthcare with a look back at how women have influenced allopathic and integrative healthcare throughout history.

A Brief History of Women in Traditional and Modern Medicine

Throughout history, women have been highly influential in traditional healthcare medicine practices, where they acted as herbalists, midwives, healers, shamans, spiritual healers, physicians, surgeons or barber surgeons, bonesetters, homeopaths, and other types of healers.

As discussed in our series on Traditional Medicine Practices around the world, some cultures, such as those in Mexico, relied heavily on women as primary healers while others were more male-dominated with women serving in more limited roles as midwives, herbalists, or assistant healers.

Ancient Egyptian and Chinese records show women were valued as physicians and healers, and women also practiced medicine as physicians and surgeons up until the renaissance period throughout Europe.

Unfortunately, as medicine became a more academic discipline and career, the establishments sought to exclude women, which coincided with the beginning of the principles of misogyny as outlined by Heinrich Kraemer and James Sprenger in The Malleus Maleficarum (1486), which also inspired the infamous European and American witch hunts.

Women who had knowledge of herbs or healing rituals (among other things like having a birthmark or looking at another person in the wrong way) were often burned at the stake based on the teachings of what constituted “evil witchcraft” in Malleus Maleficarum which was field by the Catholic church’s teachings about women being evil and unhinged.

Per a research paper published in RSC Medicinal Chemistry:REF#4098

“In the 15th century, Europe went through two outbreaks of persecution and witch hunts, with a peak between 1600 and 1650. The most striking feature of this period was the targeting of wise women, endowed with knowledge, especially those related to plants.”

This atrocity resulted in the murders of thousands of women in Europe and America over several centuries and set back women’s role in healthcare by hundreds of years. 

By the beginning of the 17th century, women were denied entry into medical colleges, which excluded them from becoming physicians.

Fortunately, very brave European and American female healers did not allow the witch hunts to completely destroy their craft. They were able to pass on their knowledge in secret until it was safe to practice in public again.

This type of persecution did not occur in other countries, where women have practiced various forms of traditional healing, medicine, and herbalism for centuries. 

However, as previously mentioned, many traditional medicine systems did not allow women to practice as doctors, shamans, or primary healers until recently.

In Western culture, for example, women were not granted access to medical school until 1848, when Boston Medical College was open to women to study midwifery. The founder, Samuel Gregory, MD, only opened the school because he believed it was “unnatural” for male physicians to attend to women during childbirth. 

It was a sexist start, but still, a start for women in modern medicine.

Fortunately, the budding feminist movement propelled the school to expand into other areas of medicine, and it became the New England Female Medical College.REF#4099

Between 1850 and 1895 20 more medical colleges for women were opened in the United States. After this time, other medical schools started accepting women into their formerly male-only programs.

Elizabeth Blackwell, MD was the first woman to graduate medical school in 1849, after miraculously being admitted to a male-only school, and Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD was the first black woman to receive a medical degree in 1864.

Even into the 20th century, it was unusual to find a female doctor, especially working outside gynecology or obstetrics. 

Today, women outnumber men in medical schools around the country.REF#4100

They also dominate much of the complementary alternative medicine space,REF#4101 where they practice as naturopaths, herbalists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and various other types of integrative medicine practitioners.

This is a beautiful testament to women’s power, courage, and perseverance throughout history to reclaim their rightful place as doctors and healers within the broad scope of allopathic and traditional medicine systems.

Women’s Influential Role in Modern Medicine

As you’ve just learned, women now outnumber men in medical schools throughout the country, and now account for more than one-third of active physicians. 

According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, women are expected to become the majority in specialities such as pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, pathology, and psychiatry.REF#4102

Research has also suggests women physicians are more likely to adhere to clinical guidelines, provide preventive care and psychosocial counseling, and spend more time with their patients than their male doctors. 

Additional studies have also shown improved clinical outcomes with women physicians.REF#4103

On the patient-side of things, women also are the primary consumers of healthcare services, which makes them highly influential. 

For example, women are finally getting the recognition they need and deserve with better care for more female-centric issues such as hormonal issues, menopause, autoimmunity, reproductive and menstrual health issues, breast cancer awareness and research, and more options for childbirth (although there is still a long way to go, with the United States having one of the highest maternal death rates of any developed country). 

It is indeed an exciting time for women in medicine, but there is still much for women physicians, healers, and patients to overcome.

For example, research shows women physicians still experience unique challenges such as gender bias, sexual harassments, and pay gaps. 

Women are also still under-represented in research studies, many of which form the basis for standards in medical care, including lab interpretations and diagnostics.

Female patients also still report challenges with having their health concerns taken seriously, safety in maternal care (as outlined previously), and sexism.REF#4104

These issues are not as pronounced in various forms of complementary alternative medicine, which has historically been female-centric, but they do exist, particularly in traditional medicine systems that are still male-dominated.

For this reason, many women prefer to seek care from female doctors or practitioners who they feel will better understand their needs and provide custom solutions.

How Herbs Have Helped Empower Women for Centuries

As discussed previously, women have long studied the properties and benefits of plants as herbalists, physicians, eclectic healers, midwives, nurses, energy healers, shamans, wise women, and various other types of healers.

Even in cultures where only men practiced as shamans, doctors, or healers women acted as herbalists, plant gatherers, and/or midwives.

In other words, women have historically maintained a working knowledge of traditional herbalism, which is evident in the high percentage of women herbalists practicing today.

Next, we’ll discuss some timeless traditional herbs to support female well-being.

Herbal Allies for Modern Women

Self-awareness and education around women’s bodies are leading to more opportunity and choices for health and health maintenance. 

From natural childbirth to herbal remedies for menopause instead of synthetic hormones, integrative medicine is on many people’s minds. All women want safe and effective options for health care, with little to no side effects. 

Integrative medicine can serve as a platform for women to engage in conventional medical care, including appropriate diagnostics, while exploring either natural options or an integrative approach that combines both conventional and natural options.

Regarding herbal allies, there are many options available to support the needs of modern women, just as they have our ancestors for centuries. 

The following are some herbal allies to support the needs of modern women overall and during specific seasons of life:

Adaptogens

Adaptogens are a group of herbs that help promote resilience to stress by supporting the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal axis.

Examples of herbal adaptogen allies for women include:

Herbs for PMS and Menstrual Challenges

Premenstrual symptoms such as cramping, emotional upset, back ache, and others affect most women at some time in their lives.

Although it’s talked about more now than in the past, women have always relied on herbs to ease period-related symptoms and support reproductive function.

Some of the best herbal-allies during the menstruation years include:

Get more helpful tips in: 18+ Natural Solutions & Herbs for Menstrual Cramps, PMS, Cravings, & More.

Herbs for Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause typically takes place in a woman’s 40s and is the phase in which the body slowly stops menstruating. 

It lasts for several years, although the average length is four years, and may include symptoms such as changes in period flow and timing, headaches, brain fog, hot flashes, emotional changes, and vaginal dryness.

Menopause happens when you’ve gone an entire year without a period.

This is the time of life that many women truly discover the comfort and power of traditional herbs, which can support the body in multiple ways during this transition.

Some helpful herbs during perimenopause and menopause include:

We share more specific information and science on herbs for menopause in: 10 Herbs for Menopause and How to Work Them Into Your Wellness Routine. 

Immune Support Herbs

Women are notoriously over-scheduled and under-cared for, which can lead to less than optimal immune function.

Specific immune support herbs are a must for those times when you just can’t carve out enough time to rest, care for yourself, or during a change of season.

Some immune-supportive herbal allies for women include:

Herbs to Support Sleep

The arrival of babies, caring for aging parents, the stresses of work and home life, and hormonal changes can all make sleep challenging for women.

Natural herbs are wonderful for supporting your body’s normal sleep cycle without the risks of drug-based sleeping pills.

Some of our favorite herbs for sleep include:

Related reads: 

Gain Even More Insights on Herbs for Women in the Following Articles

From herbs that support various facets of women’s health to the best herbs for skincare and beauty, Gaia Herbs has you covered in the following women-focused articles: