Traditional methods for everyday ailments

POLOKWANE – Before the discovery of western medicine, people would rely on traditional healers and traditional medication to get by. Some argue that modern treatments work well, while others prefer to stick to traditional medicine because it is ‘more organic’. Both types of medicine serve an equal purpose; to cure.

South Africa is home to many cultures and each culture has their own traditional medicine beliefs and with this in mind, Review spoke to people from various cultures, to find out what traditional methods they use to cure everyday ailments.

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Review also spoke to Dr Sylvester Mkwambani Hlati, who is a traditional health practitioner and President of the Traditional Healers Association in the SADC region. He has decades of experience under his belt and explained that self-diagnosing and administering medicine at home without the proper knowledge may pose a risk and advised patients to seek help from medical professionals.

“We have encountered problems in the past whereby people attempt to treat themselves with very little knowledge, hence we have taken the precaution of not openly sharing traditional medicine, especially in recent times where times are not like before,” he said. Hlati did, however, say that the xibaha (pepper-bark tree in English) is commonly used today to cure flu, by boiling and drinking it.

Dr Mahlatse Thosago also emphasised the importance of consulting a medical professional if symptoms and pains persist.

*The above traditional methods are only a guide and done at one’s own risk. Please consult a doctor or medical professional if symptoms and pain persists.