Traditional African medicine (TAM) is a shorthand reference to indigenous forms of healing that are practiced all over Africa. Although TAM is based on the accumulated experience of ancient Africans, its mode of transmission by word-of-mouth has hindered emergence of a generally accepted theory and hence of the systematic development of TAM as a self-regulating profession. A major therapeutic objective in the treatment of illness in TAM is diffusion of emotional stress.
In most African communities, commonly known plant remedies are available for the treatment of minor ailments12 such as headaches, fever, aches and pains. People use these treatments without recourse to spiritual evocations13, much as one might treat such ailments in Western medicine without a doctor’s prescription. If the illness persists and becomes life-threatening a specialist is consulted; in TAM, divination is typically used if the illness is not easily identified, otherwise, the sickness may be quickly diagnosed and a remedy prescribed. Sometimes the practitioner will advise the patient to consult a diviner who can give a diagnosis and recommend a treatment is typically used in an attempt to uncover hidden misdemeanours.
African ancients living in close-knit societies learnt from intuition and experience that immoral behaviour can cause disharmony and illness. Thus, diffusion of emotional tension evolved as a therapeutic objective in TAM. Such ideas were part of medical belief worldwide until the advent of the germ theory in modern Western medicine. The same ideas are re-emerging in such models as psychosomatic medicine or psychoneuroimmunology, which recognize the health significance of a person’s emotional state.
In TAM, plant remedies appear to be used for their synergy with other rituals24 that enhance belief in the efficacy of treatment, rather than as pharmacological entities. Thus, medicines for the treatment of internal ailments could be worn around the waist, ankle or neck, or placed under the pillow. The efficacy of such remedies might reasonably be attributed to the placebo effect25. Immunomodulation16 and nutritional properties of plant constituents might also contribute to the healing.
Traditional medicine was the dominant medical system for millions of people in Africa prior the arrival of the Europeans, who introduced evidence-based medicine, which was a noticeable turning point in the history of this tradition and culture.[4] Herbal medicines in Africa are generally not adequately researched, and are weakly regulated.[5] There is a lack of the detailed documentation of the traditional knowledge, which is generally transferred orally.[6] Serious adverse effects can result from misidentification or misuse of healing plants.[1]