Background: There is a paucity of literature describing traditional health practices and beliefs of African women. The purpose of this study was to undertake a systematic review of the use of traditional medicine (TM) to address maternal and reproductive health complaints and wellbeing by African women in Africa and the diaspora.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pregnant women in Nigeria use plant preparations to facilitate childbirth and to reduce associated pain. The rationale for this is not known and requires pharmacological validation. Aim of study: Obtain primary information regarding the traditional use of plants and analyze their uterine contractility at cellular level.
In this article, the regulation of African Traditional Medicine (ATM) is considered in terms of the law and the national health system of South Africa, and with specific reference to HIV/AIDS. The level of recognition that ATM enjoys in the legal and healthcare systems at present is discussed and juxtaposed against the regulation of traditional medical practices in other African countries.
Medicinal plants in South Africa are sources of medicine which is administered to cure existing disease in humans and livestock. Plant-derived decoctions, infusions and powders are administered to cure diseases in humans across gender and age groups. The present study was conducted to describe curative medicine derived from indigenous plants.
Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out between January 2011 and April 2012 to compile an inventory
of plants used medicinally by people of the Matebele village. A semi-structured questionnaire was used
to collect data on the species used by the villagers. The results show that 65 species (86.1% indigenous
Treatment with traditional medicine during pregnancy is believed to prevent miscarriage, ensuring
proper growth of the foetus and to strengthen the womb against witchcraft and to prevent childhood illnesses. The
purpose of the study was to determine how Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) perceive their management of
Sangomas or inyangas are shamans, healers,
priests, and prophets that have been
the backbone of Bantu communities, especially
in the rural areas of Southern Africa
for eons. However, with rapid Westernization
and the increasing allure of the
commodity market, the old ways are rapidly
eroding. Indigenous knowledge has
Indigenous health practices have been in existence since the dawn of civilization, and the
inception of western medical practices has created a divide between these health systems.
This study focused on the development of a model that could facilitate the integration of
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (llZS) in managing HIV & AIDS within a primary
Thirty four traditional healers from 17 municipalities, covering three districts of the Limpopo Province, were interviewed during the first half of 2011.
The current study focussed on documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge of herbal medicines used by the Bapedi
traditional healers to treat reproductive ailments in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifty one healers from 17
municipalities covering Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts of the Limpopo Province were interviewed between