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Herbal remedies do not undergo testing for safety and effectiveness by the federal government. They are not approved by the FDA, and do not have to meet the same standards for manufacturing and packaging that drugs do.

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Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. For example, rosemary, lavender, and mullein are best for warm, dry spots in full sun. Cilantro and mint prefer rich, moist areas with shade. For additional tips, check out these gardening apps.

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Phosphatidylcholine is known to boost cognition, but its potential benefits don't stop there. Here's what you should know about this herbal remedy. Research suggests rhodiola and ashwagandha work well together, but you may want to take them at different times of day.

While research is still evolving, ashwagandha shows potential in addressing various aspects of fertility, including libido, hormone levels, and sexual…. Rhodiola is best known for its benefits with physical performance and endurance, less so for weight loss.

Rhodiola rosea may provide some early benefits within the first couple of weeks of use. Many studies show that taking ashwagandha daily can increase testosterone, but there isn't a clinical agreement on dosage.

Let's look deeper. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Homegrown Herbal Remedies. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Calendula Cilantro Lemon balm Peppermint Rosemary Mullein Thyme Lavender German chamomile Herbal garden allies Homegrown herbal remedies.

Calendula Calendula officinalis. Share on Pinterest. Cilantro Coriandrum sativum. Lemon balm Melissa officinalis. Peppermint Mentha x piperita. Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis. Mullein Verbascum thapsus. Thyme Thymus vulgaris.

Lavender Lavandula. German chamomile Matricaria recutita. Plants as Medicine. Herbal garden allies.

Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term condition example: Bilberry with 25% anthocyanocides, Garlic with mg of allicin, and Ginkgo biloba with 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. Herbal combinations. As well Drug Resources: Natural medicines, herbs, and supplements. This guide lists a variety of resources that MSU students, staff, and faculty can use

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Banner rFee x 6'. Try before you buy tea, G. Biflavonoids such as kolaviron from Damples Low-priced soda promotions seeds, as well as other plants, have antihepatotoxic activity [ 61 ]. Purple Red Blue Green White Black Yellow Pink Orange Brown Cream Gray Gold Silver. Generally, different methods of preparation include: Extraction—This is prepared with solvent on a weight by volume basis. Business Cards.	Longan Samples with Brochure Add to Treasure Chest Compare. Very few adverse reactions have been reported for herbal medicines, especially when used concurrently with conventional or orthodox medicines [ 15 ]. Gingko should not be taken together with blood thinning medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Teas Herbal Tea Bag Unit Dose Herb Packs Instant Herbal Granules eeTee Tonic Elixirs in Retort Pouches. Its proven effectiveness backs up the popularity of this herbal remedy. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha Withania somnifera in aging, overweight males.	Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term condition example: Bilberry with 25% anthocyanocides, Garlic with mg of allicin, and Ginkgo biloba with 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. Herbal combinations. As well Drug Resources: Natural medicines, herbs, and supplements. This guide lists a variety of resources that MSU students, staff, and faculty can use	Free Google Slides theme and PowerPoint template. As modern medicine continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, some people still prefer to explore For example, rosemary, lavender, and mullein are best for warm, dry spots in full sun. Cilantro and mint prefer rich, moist areas with shade. For additional Examples of common herbal health products and supplements include black cohosh, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, saw palmetto, and St. John's wort	Natural Remedies · Tea, Coffee, and Teaware · Tea, Coffee, and Teaware · Teas · My Cup of Tee® · Blossom Teas · Premium Loose Leaf Teas · Coffees · Teas Herbal The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, one of the most comprehensive and reliable natural medicine resources available, is by Therapeutic Research Missing
Pregnancy Tea Natuarl together raspberry Free natural remedy samples and tonifying This could Sample deals and offers vitamin A poisoning. For example, information from folklore medicine in Nigeria has it that Remedyy vomitoria is used for treating hypertension and other nervous conditions while Ocimum gratissimum is used for treating diarrheal diseases. In African traditional medicine, traditional health practitioners THP assess patients in order to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease using their expertise by the following methods:. You have no items in your treasure chest.	It has also been suggested as a treatment in alcohol craving and opiate withdrawal. There are also different methods of administration. Apart from the common routes such as oral, rectal, topical, and nasal, other methods include smoking a crudely prepared cigar containing dried plant materials or by passive inhalation. Secrecy and competition still surround the use of these medications, with the healers often being reluctant to hand down their knowledge to anyone but trusted relatives and initiates [ 18 ]. As there is an African way of understanding God, in the same way, there is an African way of understanding the visible world around us—the cattle, trees, people, and cities, as well as the unseen world, the supernatural world of spirits, powers, and diseases [ 40 , 41 ]. Videos Only. It includes a variety of slides and editable resources that allow you to effectively communicate the results of a research on natural medicines or any breakthrough made in this field.	Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term condition example: Bilberry with 25% anthocyanocides, Garlic with mg of allicin, and Ginkgo biloba with 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. Herbal combinations. As well Drug Resources: Natural medicines, herbs, and supplements. This guide lists a variety of resources that MSU students, staff, and faculty can use	Examples of common herbal health products and supplements include black cohosh, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, saw palmetto, and St. John's wort The natural world is filled with healing plants and herbs that can help you stay healthy and embrace a sustainable, natural approach to your well- being. With Herbal remedies and supplements for anxiety and sleep problems	Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term condition example: Bilberry with 25% anthocyanocides, Garlic with mg of allicin, and Ginkgo biloba with 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. Herbal combinations. As well Drug Resources: Natural medicines, herbs, and supplements. This guide lists a variety of resources that MSU students, staff, and faculty can use
Other samplles factors, Low-priced soda promotions as Free natural remedy samples situation, education, and advice from friends nathral family, contribute Samppes choice of type of health care [ 42 ]. Geneva: WHO; Munster: LIT Verlag; Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Twitch Overlay. Spiritual healer or Sangoma from South Africa Source—Ancient Origins.	Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. It is not in any way an alternative to specific advice. Trinter I. It is used in all societies and is common to all cultures. Miraj S, Alesaeidi S.	Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term condition example: Bilberry with 25% anthocyanocides, Garlic with mg of allicin, and Ginkgo biloba with 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. Herbal combinations. As well Drug Resources: Natural medicines, herbs, and supplements. This guide lists a variety of resources that MSU students, staff, and faculty can use	free from contaminations and properly authenticated, and samples deposited in University, National, and Regional herbaria. There is need for Since , we've been passionate about connecting people with the power of plants. Traditional Medicinals is an independent company that embraces Create free herbal medicine flyers, posters, social media graphics and videos in minutes. Choose from + eye-catching templates to wow your audience	For example, rosemary, lavender, and mullein are best for warm, dry spots in full sun. Cilantro and mint prefer rich, moist areas with shade. For additional Duration The natural world is filled with healing plants and herbs that can help you stay healthy and embrace a sustainable, natural approach to your well- being. With

A plant's leaves, bark, stems, roots, seeds, and/or flowers may be used to create herbal remedies. Examples of healing plants for which there is Duration free from contaminations and properly authenticated, and samples deposited in University, National, and Regional herbaria. There is need for: Free natural remedy samples

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Nighty Night tea combines passionflower with calming chamomile and Reduced-price dining options flower Childrens stationery samples Low-priced soda promotions you natral and get a samplew night's sleep. On This Page. You can add ice to the tea if you prefer a cooler beverage. DOI: Where flavor meets efficacy. Today, ginger has the distinction of being classified as an herb, food, and medicine. How can I use the template?	Traditional Medicine in Africa: An Appraisal of Ten Potent African Medicinal Plants Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Leiden: Brill N. Herbs are the basis of some modern drugs: for example, quinine came from cinchona bark, digitalis from the foxglove, and aspirin from willow bark. Dietary supplements and herbal medicine toxicities—When to anticipate them and how to manage them. In addition, they can pose risks and side effects, and their safety and efficacy are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration FDA. African traditional medicine is a form of holistic health care system that is organized into three levels of specialty, which include divination, spiritualism, and herbalism, though these may overlap in some situations [ 2 , 3 ]. Fugh-Berman, A.	Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term condition example: Bilberry with 25% anthocyanocides, Garlic with mg of allicin, and Ginkgo biloba with 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. Herbal combinations. As well Drug Resources: Natural medicines, herbs, and supplements. This guide lists a variety of resources that MSU students, staff, and faculty can use	Herbal remedies and supplements for anxiety and sleep problems For example, rosemary, lavender, and mullein are best for warm, dry spots in full sun. Cilantro and mint prefer rich, moist areas with shade. For additional The natural world is filled with healing plants and herbs that can help you stay healthy and embrace a sustainable, natural approach to your well- being. With	remedy, coming back home to us, slightly upgraded, after having been better studied in Europe than it has been in America (other examples include evening A plant's leaves, bark, stems, roots, seeds, and/or flowers may be used to create herbal remedies. Examples of healing plants for which there is Using data from a qualitative study of health self-management in a bi-ethnic sample [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]. Boyd EL
African Journal of Health Low-priced soda promotions. Rekedy to Discounted car care products and India, ginger belongs to the Smples family. Szmples use of clay with Low-priced soda promotions special herbs is also sampls used for preventive rituals Reduced-price dining options ward off the evil spirits responsible for illness. Whether you have a health problem or not, it is always best to talk to your family doctor before taking any herbal health product or supplement. These plants which had been used traditionally for ages have through improved scientific expertise been the sources of important drugs. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences.	Others swear by raw potato juice three times a day. Another constraint to the development of traditional medicine in Tanzania was lack of data on seriously threatened or endangered medicinal plant species [ 46 ]. Food and Drug Administration: Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Magazine Covers. Children and older adults also may be at increased risk of adverse effects from these products, because their bodies process the ingredients differently. In traditional Chinese medicine, the fresh rhizoma underground stem of Zingiber officinale Roscoe is used, called Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens.	Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term condition example: Bilberry with 25% anthocyanocides, Garlic with mg of allicin, and Ginkgo biloba with 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. Herbal combinations. As well Drug Resources: Natural medicines, herbs, and supplements. This guide lists a variety of resources that MSU students, staff, and faculty can use	Herbal remedies and supplements for anxiety and sleep problems free from contaminations and properly authenticated, and samples deposited in University, National, and Regional herbaria. There is need for For example, rosemary, lavender, and mullein are best for warm, dry spots in full sun. Cilantro and mint prefer rich, moist areas with shade. For additional	Free Google Slides theme and PowerPoint template. As modern medicine continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, some people still prefer to explore Some people find herbs and other natural remedies to be helpful in treating heartburn symptoms. Here are some examples Free Healthbeat Signup As home herbalists, we take great joy in crafting natural remedies for our families. But have you ever thought about the importance of proper

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Many traditional medical practitioners are good psychotherapists, proficient in faith healing spiritual healing , therapeutic occultism, circumcision of the male and female, tribal marks, treatment of snake bites, treatment of whitlow, removal of tuberculosis lymphadenitis in the neck, cutting the umbilical cord, piercing ear lobes, removal of the uvula, extracting a carious tooth, abdominal surgery, infections, midwifery, and so on.

Herbal medicine is a part and parcel of and sometimes synonymous with African traditional medicine. It is the oldest and still the most widely used system of medicine in the world today. It is used in all societies and is common to all cultures. Herbal medicine is a special and prominent form of traditional medicine, in which the traditional healer, in this case known as the herbalist, specializes in the use of herbs to treat various ailments.

Their role is so remarkable since it arises from a thorough knowledge of the medicinal properties of indigenous plants and the pharmaceutical steps necessary in turning such plants into drugs such as the selection, compounding, dosage, efficacy, and toxicity.

The use of herbal medicines appears to be universal in different cultures. However, the plants used for the same ailments and the modes of treatment may vary from place to place. The plants used for medicinal purposes are generally referred to as medicinal plants, i. For example, a number of plants have been used in traditional medicine for many years without scientific data to back up their efficacy.

In this case, these plants, whole or parts, which have medicinal properties, are referred to as crude drugs of natural or biological origin.

Compared with modern allopathic medicine, herbal medicine is freely available and can easily be accessed by all [ 12 , 13 ]. As a result, there is limited consultation with traditional healers because there is a fairly good knowledge of common curative herbs especially in the rural areas except in the case of treatment of chronic diseases [ 12 ].

Even where consultation is done, there is lack of coherence among traditional healers on the preparation procedures and correct dosage of herbal medicines [ 14 ]. In Nigeria, and indeed the entire West Africa, herbal medicine has continued to gain momentum, some of the advantages being low cost, affordability, availability, acceptability, and apparently low toxicity [ 16 , 17 ].

A detail of plant parts used in herbal medicines is as follows: Roots—i. Most of the active ingredients are usually sequestered in the root bark rather than the woody inner part. Bulbs—A bulb is an underground structure made up of numerous leaves of fleshy scales, e. Rhizomes—Woody or fleshy underground stem that grows horizontally and brings out their leaves above the ground, e.

Bark—The outer protective layer of the tree stem or trunk. It contains highly concentrated phytochemicals with profound medicinal properties. A host of plants have barks of high medicinal value. Gums, exudates, and nectars, which are secreted by plants to deter insects and grazing animals and to seal off wounds, are very useful in the pharmaceutical industries.

Sale of herbs in form of dried or fresh plant parts is as lucrative as the prepared medicines. They are usually displayed in markets and sold with instructions on how to prepare them for maximum efficacy.

Figure 2 is a photograph of an herbalist displaying his herbs for sale. Herbs on display Source—Ancient Origins. In many areas of Africa, the knowledge of plant species used and the methods of preparing and administering the medication, especially for serious ailments, still reside with traditional healers.

Secrecy and competition still surround the use of these medications, with the healers often being reluctant to hand down their knowledge to anyone but trusted relatives and initiates [ 18 ]. Methods of preparation of herbal medicines may vary according to place and culture.

The plant materials may be used fresh or dry. With experience, a particular method is chosen to increase efficiency and decrease toxicity.

Generally, different methods of preparation include: Extraction—This is prepared with solvent on a weight by volume basis. Sometimes, the solvent is evaporated to a soft mass. Infusions are prepared by macerating the crude drug for a short period of time in cold or hot water.

A preservative such as honey may be added to prevent spoilage. Decoctions are made by boiling woody pieces for a specified period of time and filtered. Potash may be added to aid extraction and as preservative. Tinctures are alcoholic infusions which if concentrated may be diluted before administration.

Ashing—The dried parts are incinerated to ash, then sieved and added as such to water or food. Miscellaneous—Other types include liniments for external applications in liquid, semi-liquid, or oily forms containing the active substances; lotions which are liquid preparations intended for skin application.

Poultices are prepared from macerated fresh part of plant containing the juice from the plant and applied to skin. Snuffs are powdered dried plant inhaled through the nostrils. Dried plants may be burnt, and their charcoal is used as such.

Mixtures are sometimes prepared with more than one plant to give synergistic or potentiating effects of the composite plants. There are also different methods of administration.

Apart from the common routes such as oral, rectal, topical, and nasal, other methods include smoking a crudely prepared cigar containing dried plant materials or by passive inhalation. Others are steaming and inhaling the volatile oils exuding from the boiling plant material.

These can be used to relieve congestion, headaches, or pulmonary problems. Sitz baths are used for piles [ 19 , 20 ].

Information on plants is obtained through ethnobotanical surveys, which involves the study of plants in relation to the culture of the people. Ethnobotanical surveys involve the interaction with the people and their environment and are therefore participatory approaches, in which local people are able to contribute their knowledge on the uses of plants within their environment.

This may involve the identification, documentation, conservation, and utilization of medicinal plants. Much of the ethnomedicinal information is largely not validated.

In Nigeria, a number of authors have published a lot of data on plants with their curative values [ 16 , 20 , 21 ]. These provide a vast array of information for scientific research and validation. Preliminary scientific knowledge is drawn from studies on in vitro and in vivo bioassays on crude extracts of various plants.

Using plants as medicine provides significant advantages for treating many chronic conditions. For example, information from folklore medicine in Nigeria has it that Rauvolfia vomitoria is used for treating hypertension and other nervous conditions while Ocimum gratissimum is used for treating diarrheal diseases.

Others include Citrus paradise seeds for resistant urinary tract infections, pure honey for chronic wound treatment, Carica papaya seeds for intestinal parasites, Garcinia kola seeds for pain and inflammation, and Aloe vera for skin diseases.

The same is also true for plants from other African countries [ 22 ]. Knowledge of most of these curative properties was accumulated over time from evidence-based observations. A few examples of some Nigerian plants and their uses are shown in Table 1.

Some selected Nigerian medicinal plants and their uses. Source: Abd El-Ghani [ 51 ]. Table 1 shows some selected Nigerian medicinal plants and their uses. The curative properties of herbal medicine are validated through scientific investigations, which seek to understand the active chemistry of the plants [ 23 ].

The therapeutic activity of a plant is due to its complex chemical nature with different parts of the plant providing certain therapeutic effects. Chemical components or phytochemicals found in plants that are responsible for the various therapeutic effects include alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, acids, coumarins, sterols, phenols, etc.

Many modern pharmaceuticals have been modeled on or were originally derived from these chemicals, for example, aspirin is synthesized from salicylic acid derived from the bark of Salix alba and the meadowsweet plant, Filipendula ulmaria.

Quinine from Cinchona pubescens bark and artemisinin from Artemisia annua plant are antimalarial drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine are anticancer drugs derived from Madagascar periwinkle Catharanthus roseus , used for treating leukemia. Morphine and codeine, derived from the opium poppy Papaver somniferum , are used in the treatment of diarrhea and pain relief, while digitoxin is a cardiac glycoside derived from foxglove plant Digitalis purpurea [ 22 , 24 ].

Medicinal plants are also important materials for the cosmetic industries. The use of herbal drugs dwindled toward the end of the 19th century due to the advent of synthetic chemistry.

However, there was a resurgence of interest in plant medicines in more recent years, as synthetic drugs became less effective due to high levels of resistance and also due to higher toxicity and cost. It is estimated that more than half of all synthetic drugs in use are derived from plants [ 25 ].

In African traditional medicine, the curative, training, promotive, and rehabilitative services are referred to as clinical practices Clinical practice can also be viewed as the process of evaluating conditions of ill-health of an individual and its management.

These traditional health care services are provided through tradition and culture prescribed under a particular philosophy, in which the norms and taboos therein are strictly adhered to and form the basis for the acceptability of traditional health practitioners in the community they serve [ 26 ].

The recognition of disease and illnesses in traditional Africa meant that every society needed to devise means of containing its problem.

Worldwide, different societies have different herbal traditions that have evolved over a long period of time. Similar to modern day Western treatment patterns, African traditional societies also involved herbalism, surgery, dietary therapy, and psychotherapy, in addition to traditional exorcism, rituals, and sacrifice [ 28 ].

Successful treatments became formalized, sometimes with prescriptions of correct methods of preparation and dosage. In addition, the ingredients and the manner of preparation varied with the ailment but were also dependent on various factors such as geographical, sociological, and economic, but the significant point was that in many cases, patients were cured of their physical or psychological ailments [ 29 ].

In African traditional medicine, traditional health practitioners THP assess patients in order to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease using their expertise by the following methods:.

Divination means consulting the spirit world. It is a method by which information concerning an individual or circumstance of illness is obtained through the use of randomly arranged symbols in order to gain healing knowledge.

It is also viewed as a way to access information that is normally beyond the reach of the rational mind. It is a transpersonal technique in which diviners base their knowledge on communication with the spiritual forces, such as the ancestors, spirits, and deities [ 30 ].

It is, therefore, an integral part of an African traditional way of diagnosing diseases. This is established through the use of cowry shells, throwing of bones, shells, money, seeds, dice, domino-like objects, or even dominos themselves, and other objects that have been appointed by the diviner and the spirit to represent certain polarities on strips of leather or flat pieces of wood.

The divining bones that form the large majority of the objects include bones from various animals such as lions, hyenas, ant-eaters, baboons, crocodiles, wild pigs, goats, antelopes, etc. The bones represent all the forces that affect any human being anywhere, whatever their culture [ 31 ].

Because of the revealing powers of divination, it is usually the first step in African traditional treatment and medicine [ 32 ]. Oral interviews are sometimes used by some traditional healers to find out the history behind the sickness, where they have been for treatment and how long the person has been in that condition.

This approach enables them to know how to handle the matter at hand. In modern times, after the healing process, they also advise their clients or patients to go for medical diagnoses to confirm that they are healed, and the medical reports sometimes serve for record keeping for future reference and are a way of assuring other clients of their ability and credibility.

Due to the holistic approach of the healing process, the healers do not separate the natural from the spiritual or the physical from the supernatural [ 33 ]. Thus, health issues are addressed from two major perspectives—spiritual and physical.

Spiritual-based cases are handled in the following manner: Spiritual protection : If the cause of the disease is perceived to be an attack from evil spirits, the person would be protected by the use of a talisman, charm, amulets, specially designed body marks, and a spiritual bath to drive the evil spirits away.

These are rites aimed at driving off evil and dangerous powers, spirits, or elements to eliminate the evils or dangers that may have befallen a family or community [ 34 ]. Sacrifices : Sacrifices are sometimes offered at the request of the spirits, gods, and ancestors.

Sometimes, animals such as dogs and cats are slaughtered or buried alive at midnight to save the soul of the one at the point of death, with the belief that their spirits are strong enough to replace life [ 30 ]. There is also the view that because they are domestic animals and are very close to people, sometimes when they see that someone very close to them is about to die, they offer their lives for that person to live.

This is true especially where the animal dies mysteriously; thus, it is believed that it had offered its life in place of the life of its owner. Rituals are sometimes performed in order to consecrate some herbs without which the medicine is meaningless.

Divine and ancestral sanctions are considered necessary before and during the preparation and application of medicine [ 35 ]. Spiritual cleansing : Spiritual cleansing may be required of the sick person to bathe at specific times for a prescribed number of days either with water or animal blood poured from head to toe.

This practice is common among some communities in Ghana [ 34 ]. Appeasing the gods : If a disease is perceived to be caused by an invocation of a curse or violation of taboos, the diviner appeases the ancestors, spirits, or the gods according to the severity of the case.

These items are usually specified by the gods. The used items may be thrown into the river, left to rot, or placed at strategic places, usually at cross roads at the outskirts of the community, depending on the nature and severity of the case [ 36 ].

Exorcism : This is a practice of expelling demons or evil spirits from people or places that are possessed or are in danger of being possessed by them. Many of the traditional communities believe that illness, especially mental illness, is mostly caused by evil spirits. Exorcism can only be performed by a religious leader or a priest who has the authorities and powers to do so.

Sometimes, an effigy made of clay or wax would be used to represent the demon and would ultimately be destroyed. The possessed individual would be somewhat agitated but would only calm down as soon as the spirit is removed from the body. Exorcism is practiced, not only in Africa but also in ancient Babylonian, Greek, and other ancient cultures of the Middle East.

This practice is also performed for those who are mentally challenged. In their view, until the possessed person is delivered from the power of that evil spirit, the person will not have his or her freedom. Hence, the practice of exorcism is considered necessary [ 37 ].

Libation : Libation involves pouring of some liquid, mostly local gin on the ground or sometimes on objects followed by the chanting or reciting of words.

It is usually regarded as a form of prayer. The liquid could also be water or in modern times, wine, whisky, schnapps, or gin. Some cultures also use palm wine, palm oil, and coconut water, while some others use corn flour mixed with water [ 38 ].

Libation pouring as is practiced in some communities has three main parts, namely invocation, supplication, and conclusion. Invocation: They first invoke the presence of the almighty God, mother earth, and the ancestors. According to the practitioners of libation pouring, offering the ancestors and spirits drink is a way of welcoming them.

Supplication: After invocation, requests are made to the invoked spirits, gods, or ancestors to intercede on their behalf for mercy and forgiveness of offenses such as taboo violations and to seek for spiritual consecration cleansing of either the community or individual s.

The content of the prayer is usually case specific [ 38 ]. Conclusion: At the end of the libation pouring, they thank the invoked ancestors and spirits. Therefore, those who wish evil i. In this process, the person pouring the libation would be pouring the drink or liquid on the ground as he is reciting the prayers, followed by responses to each prayer point by observers.

If the illness is of a physical nature, the following approaches are exploited: Prescription of herbs : Herbs are prescribed to the sick person according to the nature of the illness.

Each prescription has its own specific instructions on how to prepare the herb, the dose, dosing regimen, and timeframe. Clay and herbs application: Application of a mixture of white clay with herbs may be relevant in some of the healing processes.

The mixture is applied to the entire body for a number of days, especially in the case of skin diseases. The view is that the human body is made out of the dust or ground; therefore, if the body has any problem, you would have to go to where it came from to fix it.

The use of clay with some special herbs is also sometimes used for preventive rituals to ward off the evil spirits responsible for illness. This is mostly done when it is an issue of a violation of a taboo [ 39 ]. The THPs use experience, added to the accumulated knowledge handed down by their ancestors in order to provide effective and affordable remedies for treating the main ailments such as malaria, stomach infections, respiratory problems, rheumatism, mental problems, bone fracture, infertility, complications of childbirth, etc.

As there is an African way of understanding God, in the same way, there is an African way of understanding the visible world around us—the cattle, trees, people, and cities, as well as the unseen world, the supernatural world of spirits, powers, and diseases [ 40 , 41 ]. People developed unique indigenous healing traditions adapted and defined by their culture, beliefs, and environment, which satisfied the health needs of their communities over centuries [ 15 ].

Different ethnic groups and cultures recognize different illnesses, symptoms, and causes and have developed different health-care systems and treatment strategies. In spite of these, profound similarities exist in the practice of traditional medicine in different African countries.

The increasing widespread use of traditional medicine has prompted the WHO to promote the integration of traditional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine into the national health care systems of some countries and to encourage the development of national policy and regulations as essential indicators of the level of integration of such medicine within a national health care system.

The peculiar practices of some countries are described below:. In Ghana, herbal medicine is usually the first approach to treat any illness, especially in the rural areas. Besides, ratio of medical doctors to the patients is about , while for traditional healers, the ratio is This plays a major role in health care decision making.

Other influencing factors, such as financial situation, education, and advice from friends and family, contribute to choice of type of health care [ 42 ]. Traditional medicine has a long history in Ghana. This knowledge is typically in the hands of spiritual healers, but the vast majority of families have some knowledge of traditional medicine, which is often inherited and passed down through the generations via folklore.

Most people in Ghana fully accept modern science-based medicine, but traditional medicine is still held in high regard. They believe in the physical and spiritual aspects of healing.

In some Ghanaian communities, especially in the Akan communities, traditional healers and practitioners are of the opinion that disobeying taboos is one of the ways that could lead to severe illness to the person s or community involved [ 43 ].

Taboos form an important part of African traditional religion. They are things, or a way of life, that are forbidden by a community or a group of people.

One could also become sick through invocation of curses in the name of the river deity, Antoa , upon the unknown offender. Establishing centers for integrating scientific research into plant medicines and incorporating traditional medicine into university curricular are now the current status in Ghana [ 44 ].

Also, degree-awarding traditional medical schools now train and graduate traditional medical doctors. The first principle is diagnosis followed by complex treatment procedures using plants from the bush, followed by many rituals, the ultimate aim being to cure disease.

This involves killing a lizard and burning the heart with roots of certain trees and grinding with charcoal. Tiny cuts are made on the ailing area and left breast and the mixture rubbed into the cuts. Plants may be used singly or in combination with other plants.

The plant parts are harvested fresh, pulverized, and left to dry first, then soaked in water or other solvents like local gin. Some plant materials are burnt as charcoal and used as powder. Six major types of treatment common to the 72 or more ethnic groups in Zambia include drinking, eating, drinking as porridge, making small cut on skin and applying, bathing with herbs, dancing to exorcize spirits, and steaming with boiling herbs.

The Zambian traditional healer is called Nga:nga [ 45 ]. In Tanzania, traditional medicine has been practiced separately from allopathic medicine since colonial period but is threatened by lack of documentation, coupled with the decline of biodiversity in certain localities due to the discovery of natural resources and excessive mining, climate change, urbanization, and modernization of agriculture.

Traditional medicine in Tanzania is used by people of all ages in both urban and rural areas for both simple and chronic diseases. The traditional healers are of four different types: diviners, herbalists, traditional birth attendants, and bone setters.

Erosion of indigenous medical knowledge occurred as most of the traditional health practitioners were aging and dying, and the expected youths who would inherit the practice were shying away from it and those in the rural areas dying of AIDS.

Another constraint to the development of traditional medicine in Tanzania was lack of data on seriously threatened or endangered medicinal plant species [ 46 ]. As it stands today, the traditional medical practice is under the Ministry of health.

Efforts are being made to scale up traditional medical practice by creating awareness of the importance of traditional medicine and medicinal plants in health care and training of traditional health practitioners on good practice, conservation, and sustainable harvesting [ 47 ].

Traditional medicine features in the lives of thousands of people in South Africa every day. Muti is a word derived from medicinal plant and refers to traditionally sourced plant, mineral, and animal-based medicines. In addition to herbs, traditional medicine may use animal parts and minerals.

However, only plant muti is considered a sustainable source of medicines. South African traditional plant medicines are fascinating with so many colors, forms, and effects. It is an art to know these and to use them correctly to bring about health and harmony, which is the aim of all true traditional healers.

The plant muti is commonly sold in specific sections of the open markets in South Africa, as shown in Figure 3. Goji Products Gynostemma Products He Shou Wu Products Mushroom Products Pearl Products.

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