Guidefaith healing

Faith Healing: What the Evidence Says

Faith healing practices exist across many spiritual traditions worldwide.

By Gyfts Editorial Team 13 May 2025

Reviewed by Dr. Ava Gardner · Integrative Medicine Researcher13 March 2026Traditional use

Faith Healing: What the Evidence Says — holistic health

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Unsplash

Quick answer

Faith healing refers to spiritual practices that involve prayer or ritual intended to support wellbeing.

Key Takeaways

•Spiritual tradition
•Prayer-based practices

Overview

Faith healing traditions exist in many cultures and religious practices.

Evidence Context

traditional

Faith healing is practiced in many spiritual traditions. Scientific evidence for direct healing effects is limited.

Safety & Considerations

Should not replace medical care.

Who May Benefit

People exploring spiritual wellness practices

Frequently Asked Questions

What is faith healing?

Faith healing refers to spiritual practices intended to support wellbeing through prayer or ritual.

Written by

Gyfts Editorial Team

Editorial team at Gyfts researching holistic health modalities.

Reviewed by

Dr. Ava Gardner

Integrative Medicine Researcher

MB BCh BAO, MSc Integrative Medicine, MRCGP

Dr. Ava Gardner is a Dublin-based integrative medicine physician with over 15 years of clinical experience bridging conventional general practice and evidence-based complementary care. She holds a Masters in Integrative Medicine from the University of Arizona and has worked extensively in chronic pain management, women's hormonal health, and mind-body medicine. Dr. Gardner reviews health content for Gyfts to ensure clinical accuracy, balanced evidence presentation, and responsible safety guidance across modality and condition pages.

View full profile →