Many people are quite skeptical of using herbs to heal and
this is due to their ignorance of what herbalism really is. They are also unaware that
Herbalism is different from African Traditional Medicine.
Herbal Medicine or Herbology or Herbalism is the practice of
using plants and plant-based products for the purpose of healing and medicinal
purposes. It is recognized as a form of alternative medicine.
Traditional African medicine involves the use of herbalism
and African spiritualism. Apart from herbs, it will also involve the use of
chants, charms, incantations, spells with strong spiritual and sometimes
religious aspects.
Herbal Medicine uses just HERBS, herbal materials and herbal
preparations based on diagnosis of
In herbal medicine, the cause of illness is usually
determined by a medical practitioner while in Traditional African Medicine,
this is done by a diviner.
Herbal Medicine uses plants because plants contain
phytochemicals that act individually, additively or in synergy to heal and
improve health while Traditional African Medicine encompasses magic,
spiritualism religion, animal parts, minerals, soil and virtually all of nature
in addition to plants.
Herbs and plants contain phytochemicals or phytonutrients
are secondary metabolites which are produced by plants with the purpose of
protecting the plants from environmental stress, damage, microbes and insects.
They are bioactive, non-nutrient plant compounds which are part of the plant
defense. This protection is also passed to us when we use or eat plants because
of their therapeutic properties. This is the basis of Herbal Medicine.
Herbal Medicine is the same everywhere. Herbal practitioners
use the herbs they know and are familiar with to prepare herbal preparations
from leaves, stem, bark, root, seeds, flowers and whole plants. Traditional
African Medicine differs from place to place due to ethnic, religious and
spiritual differences of the various ethnic groups in Africa. The only
similarity is the inclusion of plants and herbs in their remedies. Traditional African Medicine may also involve wizardry, witchcraft, magic and supernatural.
Herbalism is becoming more popular now as more individuals
are turning to Alternative Medicine to find cures for various chronic diseases
including chronic conditions, ulcer, diabetes, heart issues, HIV and cancer.
Most cures ultimately lead you back to herbs which provide the phytonutrients
for healing.
Many individuals have become skeptical of using herbs
because it is difficult to differentiate between a herbal practitioner and a
traditional medicine man. In Africa, the lines may sometimes be blurred. When
you visit most herbal shops or sellers, they also sell animals and animal
parts, which is unappealing to most of us.
You need to understand that when you are using herbs or herbal concoctions or mixtures, you are taking advantage of the hundreds of the active components which are in plants. They are the best sources of medicine if you understand how to use them. Plants are no mythical beings, just PLANTS.
You need to understand that when you are using herbs or herbal concoctions or mixtures, you are taking advantage of the hundreds of the active components which are in plants. They are the best sources of medicine if you understand how to use them. Plants are no mythical beings, just PLANTS.
So, identify what you are getting into. If someone is adding
animal parts to your remedy, this is going beyond the scope of Herbalism. A
herbalist is different from a traditional diviner. Do not confuse Herbalism
with Traditional Medicine!
In order to eliminate the distrust that has made us Africans reject the use of herbs, we will need to overcome our fear of believing that plants have supernatural powers. Plants are just materials that provide us with food, oxygen, shade, shelter, furniture, nutrients, phytochemicals and so on. They are fantastic living things that we can't live without.
In order to eliminate the distrust that has made us Africans reject the use of herbs, we will need to overcome our fear of believing that plants have supernatural powers. Plants are just materials that provide us with food, oxygen, shade, shelter, furniture, nutrients, phytochemicals and so on. They are fantastic living things that we can't live without.
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