Laudation for the ANME Advancement Award 2024 / Vienna, June 15, 2024
The purpose of the association is to collect, document and process old regional healing knowledge - to bring it back to the people and make it accessible to all. The association and its non-profit limited company founded in 2023 with 10 employees are also a valued economic factor in the region thanks to their expertise. They want to focus on traditional European medicine and develop it further. The healing knowledge of the Pinzgau people was included in the Austrian National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010! Area: Knowledge and practices relating to nature and the universe.
“The aim of the TEH Association is to bring traditional, regional healing knowledge to people in the form of courses, lectures, seminars and workshops.”
The association now has around 850 members. There are cooperation partners and we have built up a large network. Once a year, the two-day event series “Healing Days” is held. This gives new meaning to the traditional local knowledge of healing powers as a cultural heritage!
Chairwoman: Theresia Harrer-Vitzthum: one of the founders of the TEH Association and elected Chairwoman in 2007.
Deputies/ Chairwoman: Dr. Ines Pichler and Prof. Dr. Gernot Znidar M.A., MSc
Theresia Harrer-Vitzthum: “I grew up on a farm and have therefore always been closely connected to nature. As a child, I was taught to love medicinal herbs and the use of natural healing methods (collecting, processing and preserving herbs, processing food, using teas, ointments and other natural remedies). Much of this was simply lived and taken for granted; only much later did I realize what a valuable treasure it is to be able to apply and use ancient healing knowledge and simple practices. My personal philosophy is based on an appreciation of nature - and a belief in the importance of sharing knowledge. Observing nature, the right time, looking closely, observing people and animals - the joy of doing.
The training courses, passing on ancient knowledge and bringing it to people are very important to me. Basically, in the comprehensive course we not only impart knowledge about health and nature, but also self-efficacy - and thus want to promote self-determined action.
It is always important to develop new ideas and then implement them in projects. It is important to take a close look and to work carefully and responsibly. Traditional recipes must offer people a sense of security. There are so many aspects that contribute to health, health maintenance and recovery. That is why we evaluate, we also work scientifically, compare and want to preserve traditional knowledge and make it accessible to people.
Our intention is ...
- ... to create a communication platform for Traditional European Medicine
- ... to offer further training in the field of Traditional European Medicine - in formats such as courses, seminars and workshops
- ... to carry out public relations work for the revival of Traditional European Medicine
- ... to develop TEH products and TEH services and to make TEH tangible through tourism offers.
As humans, we are part of nature and adapted to nature. As humans, we have the ability to use nature to strengthen health and overcome health limitations.”
The ANME Extended Board members see the activities and initiatives of the TEH Association as an exemplary project for Europe! We are therefore supporting this activity by awarding our sponsorship prize of 1000 euros. On behalf of the entire Board, I wish the TEH Association continued support and success for the future!
In the name of the ANME-Extended Board
Nora Laubstein, President