Traditional medicine celebrated
Traditional healers promote traditional African medicine (muti), a form of holistic health which combines spiritual beliefs and herbalism to treat patients.
Today, August 26, we celebrate African Traditional Medicine Day.
Because traditional healers are so well-respected and trusted by their communities, many practitioners and followers of westernised medicine believe the healers can play an important role in treating deadly epidemics.
In traditional African medicine, healers strive to discover the primary cause of an illness rather than trying to treat all the symptoms. Healers pass on knowledge of traditional medicine from generation to generation.
Herbalism is one of the main methods used to treat various sicknesses.
African healers are knowledgeable of which herbs to use, what the herbs treat and how to combine the various herbs and plants to create treatment remedies.
Africa is endowed with many plants which can be used for medicinal purposes to which they have taken full advantage. In fact, out of the approximated 6 400 plant species used in tropical Africa, more than 4 000 are used as medicinal plants.
Medicinal plants are used in the treatment of many diseases and illnesses, the uses and effects of which are of growing interest to Western societies. Not only are plants used and chosen for their healing abilities, but they also often have symbolic and spiritual significance. For example, leaves, seeds, and twigs which are white, black and red are seen as especially symbolic or magical and possess special properties.
* Information obtained from Wikipedia and www.empowher.com
