Wales has two major medical traditions; the Bone Setters of Anglesey in north Wales and the Physicians of Myddfai. Myddfai is a small village and an extensive rural area in north east Carmarthenshire in South Wales. This medical tradition extends back to the 13th century when medical expertise was handed down from father to son in families in the Myddfai area.

There are numerous accounts of this small area of Carmarthenshire producing outstanding and eminent physicians over the centuries, and in recent years research for articles gave credence to the idea that the tradition of the Physicians of Myddfai was continuing.

Discovering that the tradition of the Physicians of Myddfai was flourishing in the 21st century, authoritative figures in the field of the history of medicine and medicinal plant remedies, such as Dr Morfydd Owen and Professor Terry Turner, were delighted and considered that these developments must be celebrated.

In 2011 a special conference was held in the new community hall in Myddfai, and based on its success there was demand for it to be repeated. After another conference in 2013 there was general feeling that the next step was to establish Cymdeithas Meddygon Myddfai – the Physicians of Myddfai Society, and this was launched at the 2014 meeting.

Objectives of the Society

  • To promote and raise the profile of this historic medical tradition through cultural, educational, and scientific activity with an emphasis on involving younger people.
  • To ensure an awareness of the history and scientific foundations of the Physicians is not lost to folklore.
  • To promote fellowship and friendship between members and to foster good links between local groups and organisations.

Membership is open to everyone who supports and maintains the Society’s objectives – you do not need to be Welsh, or a Physician! Please email us for information on how to join.

Annual Conference

On the last Saturday in June each year, our Annual Conference is held in Myddfai. Typically based on the theme of “Past, Present, Future”, speakers present on various subjects aligned with our cultural, historical, educational, and scientific objectives.

The 2026 Conference was titled “The effect of Climate Change: Past, Present, Future” with talks covering disease and treatment in ancient Egypt, research of medieval Welsh medicine inspiring modern antimicrobial solutions, and how 3D-printed drug formulations will impact the future of precision medicine.

St Luke’s Service

Luke the Apostle, writer of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles was described by St Paul as “The Beloved Physician”. In time he became the patron saint of the medical professions. Each year, on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St Luke on 18th October, we host a service with music at St Michael’s Church Myddfai, followed by refreshments served at the Community Hall.

This year, the service will take place on Sunday 18th October 2026, at 4pm, followed by refreshments.