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Traditional Medicine by Regions - Africa
Africa, encompassing several climatic zones on either side of the equatorial belt, has climates which range from sub-arctic to the tropics. Hence, the region is blessed with vast botanical diversity. Medicinal plants emerge as one of the major 'constituents' and Traditional medicine has been the answer to African health care for many centuries.
In the past, Africans held fast to their superstitious beliefs, and regarded outbreaks of diseases as punishments from gods and ancestors. Sorcery and witchcraft were also practiced, for many Africans attribute illnesses to the act of dark magic. Often times, the people would seek the service of Shaman (a medium as well as healer) who could communicate with spirits and ghosts. It was a deep-rooted fact that Shamans are the 'special ones' who are bestowed with an ability to chase away evil spirits. He clears the doubts for his congregation who are troubled by dreams, and provides comfort and a sense of serenity for tribe members who are deep in grieving.
Traditional remedies also come into play, for Shamans would often employ the use of these medicinal plants to heal patients, or to mollify angered ancestors. When a patient succumbs to the illness, it is believed that the said patient has angered the evil spirit, or hit by a deadly curse.
The existence of Ebers papyrus confirmed the use of medicinal plants in Africa in ancient times. Ebers papyrus, produced circa 1500 B.C. is one of the oldest medical manuscripts in the world, recorded the data of approximately 700 medicinal plants. The voluminous Egyptian medicinal record was the prelude to the flourishing of classical medical practices in Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Arabic World. The use of medicinal plants was further established when herbal medicines were freely traded between India, Middle East and North-eastern Africa over a large time span. At the same time, Arabian countries became the leaders in the medical scene, and Arabic influence was henceforth, exerted upon the African society.
One of the most recognized medicinal plant in Africa is Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) has been traditionally used for treating arthritis, digestive complaints and fever.
Another great herb to come out from this continent is the Madagascar periwinkle (Cataranthus roseus), a native of the Madagascar island (on the South East of Africa). Africans have used it as part of their traditional remedies for treating poor digestive system, diabetes, rheumatic pains and hypertension. Though its claim of treating diabetes have yet to be proven clinically, another medicinal property has been proven, which is anti-cancer.
Alkaloids (mainly vincristine and vinblastine) from the plant have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties and are made into anti-cancer drugs.
Not to be left out is Kola nut (Cola acuminata). Africans chew on
its dried seeds for its stimulating effect of the digestive system. It is
taken as tonic and as aphrodisiac. Currently, it is used extensively as part of the medications for depression, alertness, migraine and headache.
To this day, although conventional Western medicine is well recognized as the pragmatic solution to many health problems, traditional herbal remedies remain as the primary source for health care, especially in the rural areas of Africa.
In the past, Africans held fast to their superstitious beliefs, and regarded outbreaks of diseases as punishments from gods and ancestors. Sorcery and witchcraft were also practiced, for many Africans attribute illnesses to the act of dark magic. Often times, the people would seek the service of Shaman (a medium as well as healer) who could communicate with spirits and ghosts. It was a deep-rooted fact that Shamans are the 'special ones' who are bestowed with an ability to chase away evil spirits. He clears the doubts for his congregation who are troubled by dreams, and provides comfort and a sense of serenity for tribe members who are deep in grieving.
Traditional remedies also come into play, for Shamans would often employ the use of these medicinal plants to heal patients, or to mollify angered ancestors. When a patient succumbs to the illness, it is believed that the said patient has angered the evil spirit, or hit by a deadly curse.
The existence of Ebers papyrus confirmed the use of medicinal plants in Africa in ancient times. Ebers papyrus, produced circa 1500 B.C. is one of the oldest medical manuscripts in the world, recorded the data of approximately 700 medicinal plants. The voluminous Egyptian medicinal record was the prelude to the flourishing of classical medical practices in Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Arabic World. The use of medicinal plants was further established when herbal medicines were freely traded between India, Middle East and North-eastern Africa over a large time span. At the same time, Arabian countries became the leaders in the medical scene, and Arabic influence was henceforth, exerted upon the African society. 
One of the most recognized medicinal plant in Africa is Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) has been traditionally used for treating arthritis, digestive complaints and fever. 
Another great herb to come out from this continent is the Madagascar periwinkle (Cataranthus roseus), a native of the Madagascar island (on the South East of Africa). Africans have used it as part of their traditional remedies for treating poor digestive system, diabetes, rheumatic pains and hypertension. Though its claim of treating diabetes have yet to be proven clinically, another medicinal property has been proven, which is anti-cancer. 
Alkaloids (mainly vincristine and vinblastine) from the plant have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties and are made into anti-cancer drugs.
Not to be left out is Kola nut (Cola acuminata). Africans chew onits dried seeds for its stimulating effect of the digestive system. It is
taken as tonic and as aphrodisiac. Currently, it is used extensively as part of the medications for depression, alertness, migraine and headache.
To this day, although conventional Western medicine is well recognized as the pragmatic solution to many health problems, traditional herbal remedies remain as the primary source for health care, especially in the rural areas of Africa.
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