Parantajat

Parantajat is the Finnish term for individuals who offer healing or relief of ailments through non-conventional means. The category is broad and can include traditional folk healers, spiritual healers, energy therapists, herbalists, massage practitioners, and others who present themselves as healers rather than as conventional medical professionals. The word parantaja derives from parantaa, meaning to heal or improve.

Historically, parantajat operated in local communities in Finland, often combining herbal remedies, ritual practices, and lay healing. In contemporary contexts, parantajat may provide services aimed at wellbeing, stress reduction, or symptom relief and may work independently or alongside licensed health professionals as part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Some emphasize personal development, holistic approaches, or spiritual support in addition to physical wellbeing.

Regulation and professional status vary. Finland’s health system is regulated by licensed medical and health care professions, and there is no single, universally recognized title of parantaja. Training for those who offer healing services ranges from informal, private guidance to certificates from private schools or associations. Patient safety and consumer protection laws apply, and authorities generally advise that CAM practices should not substitute for evidence-based medical treatment in serious conditions and should be transparent about limits and risks.

See also complementarity with conventional medicine, consumer protection, and folk healing traditions in Finland.