Zootherapy in Asia through the Lens of Museums of Traditional Medicine.

In this study, I examine how museums of traditional medicine in Asia construct and present narratives about zootherapy. Through analyzing displays and their contextual framing, I investigate how animal-derived remedies are represented, which species and medical applications are included, and how museums address conservation and ethical concerns. The study is based on fieldwork conducted between 2018 and 2025, including visits to five museums dedicated to traditional medicine. These institutions include the Museum of Traditional Medicine in Isfara, the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, the Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, the Pharmacy Museum in Lisbon, and the Suzhou Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Exhibit documentation, textual analysis, and comparative research methods were used to assess how zootherapy is represented in these museums. The findings reveal that zootherapy exhibits include a wide range of species, from invertebrates such as insects and mollusks to large mammals like bears, elephants, and tigers. Some exhibits provide detailed descriptions of their medicinal uses, while others lack contextualization or critical engagement with conservation issues. The depiction of zootherapy in museums varies significantly, with some institutions presenting it as an enduring medical tradition and others portraying it as an obsolete practice rooted in historical beliefs rather than modern pharmacology. The absence of ethical considerations in museum narratives is a key concern, particularly regarding endangered species. The study also highlights the role of traditional medicine museums in shaping public perceptions of zootherapy, influencing how these practices are understood in both historical and contemporary contexts.