Documentation of herbal medicines used for the treatment and. The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental component of the african. Analysis of traditional healers in lesotho african technology. Traditional african medicine, with its belief that illness is not derived from chance occurrences, but through spiritual or social imbalance, differs greatly from modern scientific medicine, which is technically and analytically based.
It used to play a vital role in the doctrine of chiefdoms that existed during precolonial era. Governments should establish systems for the qualification, accreditation or licensing of traditional medicine practitioners. Ethnopharmacological use of plants by sisala traditional healers in. Page 30 ethnobiological survey of traditional medicine practice for the. The purpose was to document the common traditional medicine tm. African traditional medicine is widely relied on in south africa but better understanding of its effects are needed for it to be accepted how changes in african traditional medicine research can. South africa s biodiversity is a rich source of the medicinal plants that form the basis of traditional medicine. The integration of traditional and western medicine. Overview on medicinal plants and traditional medicine in africa. The intersection of culture and science in south african. Each community has its own particular approach to health and disease even at the level of ethno. The aim of the present study was to document herbal medicines used by traditional healers to treat and manage human diseases and ailments by some communities living in ghana. The researcher thus took a purposive sample of one hundred and fifty consisting of 50 traditional medicine practitioners, 50 orthodox medicine practitioners and 50 patients using interview and questionnaire administration to garner information on the relevance of traditional medicine in the health care delivery system in nigeria.
Traditional medicine as a vehicle to affordable health to large. According to the world health organisation who the definition of traditional medicine may be summarized as the. Action plan for optimal growth of african traditional. Recognizing that traditional medicine is the most affordable and accessible system of health care for the majority of the african rural population, the organization for african unity now the african union declared 20012010 to be the decade for african traditional medicine. Traditional african medicine is a holistic discipline that embraces the use of herbs, african spirituality diviner. Practitioners of traditional medicine vastly outnumber allopathic doctors in uganda 68. Overview on medicinal plants and traditional medicine. The communication between conventional and traditional medicine. In all countries of the world there exists traditional knowledge related to the health of humans and animals. In many parts of rural africa, traditional healers prescribing medicinal plants are the most. Traditional african medicine tam is characterized by a belief in the supernatural as a cause of illness, divination as a diagnostic tool, and the ritualized use of a wide variety of plantand. The traditional healer provides health care services based on culture, religious background, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that are prevalent in his community. A historical overview of traditional medicine practices and policy in ethiopia article pdf available in ethiopian journal of health development 202.
The contribution of traditional herbal medicine practitioners to kenyan health care delivery results from community healthseeking behavior vignettes and a traditional herbal medicine practitioner survey john lambert,a kenneth leonard,b geoffrey mungai,c elizabeth omindeogaja,d gladys gatheru,e tabitha mirangi,f jennifer owara,g christpher. Use of traditional healers and modern medicine in ghana. Doc the history of african traditional medicine onuh. Yet, so many stereotypes exist for the traditional healers and their medicines that are collectively called muti. The purpose was to document the common traditional medicine tm practices find. Aug 26, 2014 traditional medicine appears on the shelves of almost 80 percent of the south african population, and in much of rural africa, it is the only form of treatment that exists. South africas biodiversity is a rich source of the medicinal plants that form the basis of traditional medicine. Traditional medicine is an important component of the health care system of most developing countries. How changes in african traditional medicine research can. African traditional medicine day world health organization. Traditional medicinal plant practice in southern africa. Traditional medicine features in the lives of thousands of south africans every day. In ghana and widely within africa, medicinal plants have been reported used by many. This medicine is traditional because it is deeply rooted in a specific sociocultural context, which varies from one community to another.
Programmes were put in place to expose doctors to traditional healing by introducing a postgraduate diploma programme in traditional medicine at one of ghanas leading medical schools. In some asian and african countries, up to 80% of the population relies on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs. A study on use of animals as traditional medicine by. Overview on medicinal plants and traditional medicine in africa the importance of traditional medicine in africa in all countries of the world there exists traditional knowledge related to the health of humans and animals. African traditional medicine atm is widely used in africa. However despite various initiatives aimed at an integrated health care system for south africa, the promise of a truly integrated and formally structured system is yet to be. Traditional medicine is the firstchoice healthcare treatment for at least 80% of africans who suffer from high fever and other common ailments. Final report traditional medicine world health organization. Mellen press, c1992 s feierman and j m janzen, eds, the social basis of health and healing in africa berkeley. Some herbal remedies from manzini region of swaziland.
It was at this time that the whos traditional medicine programme was established. Traditional medicine appears on the shelves of almost 80 percent of the south african population, and in much of rural africa, it is the only form of treatment that exists. Prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine, traditional medicine used to be the dominant medical system available to millions of people in africa in both rural and urban communities. However, the arrival of the europeans marked a significant turning point in the history of this agelong tradition and culture. The town is situated between latitude 5038402n and longitude 6o6o25 e. A study on use of animals as traditional medicine by sukuma tribe of busega district in northwestern tanzania rajeev vats and simion thomas. This report indicates that about 20 percent of africans who seek medical care first consult traditional healers.
The national traditional healers and herbalists association has recently put forth a proposal to establish a hospital in mengo, kampala, where traditional health care will be offered. An estimated 70% of south africans regularly use traditional medicines, most of which are derived from plant species indigenous to the region. Residents in the study area find the traditional medicine cheaper as. Traditional medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness 12. Identifying local perspectives and treatments of childrens illnesses, including folk illnesses, is essential to having a comprehensive understanding of how mothers make healthcare treatment.
Illness is regarded as having both natural and supernatural causes and. Legal status of traditional medicine and complementary. Busega district is located between latitude 20 10 and. The intersection of culture and science in south african traditional medicine by jeanfrancois sobiecki abstract traditional african medicine often carries with it a perception and stigma of being irrational and ungrounded in scientific method in academia. Does traditional medicine fit into the modern health system.
Traditional medicinethesis3 unisa institutional repository. Medicinal plants used for treating reproductive health care. Background in spite of the strong role of traditional medicine in childcare in the pluralistic healthcare system in western africa, little information is known on mothers domestic plant knowledge. It is impossible to summarise the diversity of traditions used by the many cultures.
Residents in the study area find the traditional medicine cheaper as compared to orthodox medicines. Swaziland institute for research in traditional medicine, medicinal and indigenous food plants. Bibliography g m waite, a history of traditional medicine and health care in precolonial eastcentral africa new york. It is therefore implicated that efforts should be made on how to improve on documentation, conservation and standardization of the medicinal plants in nigeria. Although a substantial majority still rely on this kind of healing as their primary source of healthcare, the practice is fraught with a number of paradoxes. African traditional medicines and indigenous knowledge systems. However, indigenous knowledge about herbal medicines of many ghanaian cultures has not yet been investigated. A study on use of animals as traditional medicine by sukuma. It lies between 300 south and 290 eastern longitude and has a total surface area of 30 648 km2 chakela 1999. Herbal medicines in african traditional medicine intechopen.
Traditional african medicine africa health dialogue. South african traditional medicines research group satmerg. Last year, the south african department of health proposed several regulations on traditional medicine. South africa is currently debating how much the government should regulate traditional healers. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in curing some. In africa, up to 80% of the population uses tm for primary health care. However, the project to fully integrate traditional healing and western healing in ghana still has a long way to go kavi et al. Traditional african medicine is a holistic discipline that embraces the use of herbs, african spirituality divinerhealers, and traditional midwifery.
African traditional medicines and indigenous knowledge. The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental component of the african traditional healthcare system is perhaps the oldest and the most assorted of all therapeutic systems. Approximately 80% of the african population uses traditional plants to deal. Some people estimate up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicines to promote wellbeing. The contribution of traditional herbal medicine practitioners. To gain understanding of the use of traditional and modern medicine among the people in ghana, west africa. These may be obtained on prescription from a traditional healer, purchased from herb sellers or gathered in the wild for self medicine. About 80% of the population has relied on resources within their environment to survive since gods creation. A situation analysis in zambia and zimbabwe iv executive summary southern africa is a globally recognized centre of biodiversity richness and endemism. Trends and challenges of traditional medicine in africa.
Many scientists believe that most herbs in traditional. Traditional african medicine and african religion are intricately intertwined. Professor gordon chavunduka, president of the zimbabwe national traditional healers association, discusses the role of traditional medicine with voas health correspondent lindord moudou. These cape healers trade an estimated 1 300 tonnes of biological plant material per year. The integration of traditional and complementary medicine in. Towards integration of traditional healing and western. This database contains information on thousands of plants used for treating animals and humans in rural areas in different regions of africa. According to the world health organisation who the definition of traditional medicine may be summarized as the sum. Colonialists, with their intension to rule africa had to find a way to discourage all sort of activities which would have provided an opportunity for developing africans 20. African traditional medicine is a form of holistic health care system organized into three levels of specialty, namely divination, spiritualism, and herbalism. Jul 03, 2011 prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine, traditional medicine used to be the dominant medical system available to millions of people in africa in both rural and urban communities. This blurring of medical as well as cultural boundaries made white medical practitioners and government authorities q uite uncomfortable and raised important questions regarding the very nature of socalled traditional medicine and the role of licensed inyangas.
Prelude database on traditional veterinary and human medicine plants in subsaharan africa. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in curing. However, the latitude provided for should not be interpreted as an. Chapter 2 of the constitution of south africa the bill of rights states that every citizen has a right to participate in the cultural life of their choice the traditional health practitioners act no. Tanzania, traditional medicine has existed even before colonial times. The place of traditional medicine in the african society. Traditional medicine as an alternative form of health care system. Jan 09, 2015 traditional african medicine and african religion are intricately intertwined.
Traditional medicine is contrasted with scientific medicine. Traditional medicine in africa in the african environment, the therapeutic potential of traditional medicine is enormous and requires further indepth study to improve methods and training so as to form a more effective organization within the ranks of tmps. Project muse the relevance of the african traditional. African traditional medicine is a mainstay of primary health care for the majority in africa. Traditional medicine refers to the knowledge, skills and practises based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, used in the maintenance of health and in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness. Specifically, the district lies between latitudes 6. In the 21st century, modern pharmaceuticals and medical procedures remain inaccessible to large numbers of. An overview of the traditional medicine situation in the. When adopted outside its traditional culture, traditional medicine is often considered a form of alternative medicine. Given the cultural and health care realities in africa, it does seem necessary for the who to partner with local traditional healers in order to implement any widespread public health program.
Therapeutic indigenous medical technology among the emu people. Overview on medicinal plants and traditional medicine in. Documentation of herbal medicines used for the treatment. The integration of traditional and complementary medicine. Each listing includes, among other things, the plants botanical name, the african countries. Article pdf available in african journal of traditional, complementary and. The endorsement of traditional healers may be necessary to achieve public acceptance of western medicine. Legal perspective on african traditional medicine in south africa 277 practitioners and the wide scope of their activities. Traditional medicine who regional office for africa. Traditional african medicine is a traditional medicine discipline involving indigenous herbalism and african spirituality, typically involving diviners, midwives, and herbalists. Traditional medicine is an important part of healthcare delivery in africa.
Pdf sudanese folk medicine represents a unique blend of indigenous cultures with islamic. In many parts of rural africa, traditional healers prescribing medicinal plants are the most easily accessible and affordable health resource available to the local community and at times the only therapy that subsists. Pdf a historical overview of traditional medicine practices. Traditional medicine is by no means an alternative practice in south africa, with an estimated 72% of the black african population in south africa relying on this form of medicine, accounting for some 26. Traditional medicine and childcare in western africa. Pdf traditional medicine as an alternative form of health care. In africa around 80% of people use traditional medical systems for much or all of their health care. What was found was that traditional and western medicine are serving different functions in ngaoundere, with different strengths. However, the project to fully integrate traditional healing and western healing in ghana still has a long way to go. Sep 03, 2015 african traditional medicine is widely relied on in south africa but better understanding of its effects are needed for it to be accepted how changes in african traditional medicine research can. G m waite, a history of traditional medicine and health care in precolonial eastcentral africa new york. Practitioners of traditional african medicine claim to be able to cure various and diverse conditions such as cancers, psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, cholera, most venereal diseases, epilepsy, asthma. Recognition and respect for african traditional medicine. A situation analysis in zambia and zimbabwe iii acronyms csir south african council for scientific and industrial research nema national environmental management act tmpc traditional medicinal practitioners council thpaz traditional health practitioners association of zambia mcz medical council of zambia.