Traditional methods of treating illness and diseases
were used in Africa long before the coming of Europeans and western medicine.
Both kinds of medicine work very well for the people
today, many modern drugs (medicine) are made from plants such as digitalis which
is used for treating heart related problems. Treatment on a mainly chemical
basis has been found to be inadequate and a naturopathic
movement which remembered the knowledge of ancient times has blossomed in the
90's as more people were looking for alternative and more natural ways of attaining
and maintaining wholesomeness of the body, mind and soul.
Naturopaths employ natural cure to alleviate the
diseases and illnesses of man. There are experts all over Africa in traditional
medicine. They are called herbalists or native doctors. They often possess great
skills and powers to treat people and their methods are often successful.
Years ago, people had the traditional belief that
sickness and diseases such as malaria and other misfortunes in life are a result
of spiritual forces. These spiritual forces may be some kind of punishment from
gods or from their enemies to harm them. Herbalists or native doctors are often
called upon in such cases for advise and treatment. The healer often is a priest
of some local gods who can understand the gods or spirits and is able to take
away the problems for instance by sacrificing a goat or chicken.
In Ghana for example, the tigare cult is
particularly
concerned with detecting witchcraft. The herbalist (traditional healer) may
also help his patients who are worried, afraid, depressed or unhappy. He may
be able to discover causes which are unknown to the patient, he advises about
their hopes and fears.
The healer has a great knowledge of all kinds of
leaves, fruits, root of trees and juices of plants which can be used medicinally.
For example, the dried leaves of the Baobab tree are used to prevent fever and
also for dysentery. Onion is a very good treatment for the eyes while mango,
orange and guava leaves are a good treatment for malaria fever.
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