The Root word for "Physician" I'll assume is "Physic" ...

Looked the word physic up in an old dictionary. "Purgative" was the first definition. The second was "bowel cleanse". I can remember grandma saying "he needs a good physic". I'm guessing early "physicians" relied on homeopathic remedies rather than pushing drugs.

I'm guessing early "physicians" relied on homeopathic remedies rather than pushing drugs.

They used plant-based drugs, some of which are still in use, e.g. senna.

I am a current-day physician. I do not “push drugs”. None of the many physicians I associate with “push drugs” either.

When I was a kid and farted, my dad said I needed a physic. Another word for laxative. Hated milk of magnesia, always ended up with an enema though

I am a current-day physician. I do not “push drugs”. None of the many physicians I associate with “push drugs” either.

@Iris1858 I agree that most docs don’t push drugs. Our doctors will often offer up prescriptions for things like more mental acuity (my wife has MS), or if some deficiency shows up in a blood test or vitals or diagnostic. She always tells us the pros and cons and probable effectiveness, then leaves it up to us if we want a script for it. Shes doing due diligence of informing us. Outside of eloquis for a blood clot, she’s never pushed drugs on us. Most docs don’t push drugs but acknowledge some do and probably have some stake in doing so. My BP a was elevated, she said she could prescribe something, or I could go to the gym more. My choice!

Another interesting term other than pysch is “iatric”; as in pediatric, geriatric, bariactric, psychiatric etc. “iatric” is derived from the Greek term for a healer or physician.

The origin of the word "physician" predates the word "physic" by at least 1500 years, to the 300BC period. "Physician" comes from the Latin, meaning "things related to nature," which in turn came from the ancient Greek "physik," meaning "nature."

The term "physic" comes from the same root but was not used to mean a healing natural potion until about 1300.

(I really like etymology!)

Kind of puts me in mind of the root of the word Therapist. The rapist? That's a bit scary?