African medicine is one of the oldest practices of medicine. from the Egyptians with embalmment to the local farmers with their herbs, one would like to believe that African medicine is the very foundation of basic modern medicine. African herbal medicine has a long history, and it was created to heal the physical, emotional, and spiritual reasons of numerous diseases that people face daily. African medicinal plants have been utilized successfully for generations.
The origin of African medicine is not truly known as it is believed that it was a trial and error practice. Plants being the main source for herbs, shelter, food and many more were heavily studied and their effects put to good use. some would say that the gods blessed the African people with their knowledge of plants and their uses. It was believed that the African herbs and medicines were not all about healing the body but also the mind and the spirit of a man and because of this many people had deemed it the practice of black arts or "juju". As a result, it was inescapable for this herbal medication to become connected with magical practices. As illness preventatives and cures, amulets and charms were far more common than pharmaceuticals. Diseases were deemed possessed by wicked spirits by the Priests, who were the forefathers of science and medicine, and could be cured with incantations and extracts from the roots of particular therapeutic herbs or plants. This historical custom is largely based on the psychosomatic system of curing diseases.
Many traditional African medicines are unquestionably effective in the treatment of sickness and the maintenance of good health. Some have even supplied many prescribed medications. However, there are obstacles. The fact that many consumers naturally assume "natural equals safe" is one of them. Another issue emerges when patients combine prescribed drugs with traditional or herbal therapies. Herbs and their mixtures are usually very secretive when being made. They're based on traditional healers' expertise passed down through the generations. This can lead to ambiguous dosing.
Even though modern medicine has flourished, traditional medicine is still being practised in many places, especially where they cannot afford the luxuries of modern medicine. In Nigeria alone, quite a number of people adhere to the life of traditional medicine, consuming mixtures of herbs daily, many of them fail to understand that despite the natural ingredients, there might be more harm than good. The most popular of the mixtures "Agbo Jedi Jedi" dates back to old times used to cure a variety of things such as headaches, diarrhoea and so on.
Traditional medicine went far and wide when Africans were taken as slaves to America. It was used to treat the white men when they found themselves too poor to send for a physician or too weak to do so. It was later banned mostly because of fear that the African slaves would use their advanced knowledge of healing to overcome their masters.
Fear does not kill history and origins, the ability to see only for the moment does.
Africa , the "mother earth " is home to intricate heterogenous medicinal, herbal plant life and herein lies the magic in the traditional care system. There is magic to be found in Africa but then it is quite unreal , merely a play on the human mind and consciousness as scientist theoretized, but then past events , experiences and historiography has ascertained and brought home unyielding facts that there are worlds apart from ours , dimensions and planes within the universe yet uncharted and entities that are abstract to our world .
Individuals , groups are on a quest into these worlds whose very existence is undeniable . There are mystery yet unknown , things unfounded and realms unexplored .
As stated during creation in Genesis and throughout its texts , the earth produced vegetation , plants of varying kinds for Man's use for food , as civilization expanded so did his use and knowledge of roots and herbs . And as Man began to multiply and begat sons and daughters , so did their needs .
Thousands and hundreds of tribal cultures and civilization have used and cultivated herbs for medicinal and food purposes for several years and centuries and through trial and error were able to name , identify and differentiate these plants .
Extensive research was carried out to ensure accurate answers and understanding of the botanical word , constant practices confirmed considerable results that could be trusted despite crude appliances and shallow information .
Furthermore , their uses with sufficient knowledge gained was preserved in writings and carvings which was passed down from one generation to another until this age and time .
In genesis of the Bible during creation established plants in varying kinds and diversity for Man's use and consumption . To be able to masterfully combine and blend these medicinal plants is an insightful work to behold .
Not to be labeled as an alternative or second choice to western medicine , African traditional medicine is the African indigenous health care system that has its origin in ancient cultures running from one end of the globe to the other .
It is safe to say herbal medicine serves as a cornerstone for traditional medicine which is viewed as application of knowledge and practice for diagnosing ,treating and enhancing individual life force and eliminating ailments and diseases . This certainty for treating and seeing results stems from past experiences and observations handed down from generation to generation.
Practice makes perfect , but then there will be no change in the pattern if comprehension of underlying principle is absent and in many parts of Africa , orthodox method of health sector is widely accepted and sought after as it is an affordable and accessible health care.
Applications of medicinal plants of African traditional health care is the oldest and most assorted principled of all therapeutic system as it make use of herbal medicinal plants to treat disease and enhance general health and well being .
Herbal medicine is an integral part of African traditional medicine as it is widely used in all societies and cultures of the world . Its significance within the framework and backbone of modern medicine should not be discarded or overlooked as it serves as a stepping stone on which researches are made .
Although ,the data back up is not recorded until writing system is developed , these informations are passed down orally and through carvings to preserve history and ensure continuous functioning and availability.
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