Traditional Medicine in South Africa

Abstract: Millions of South Africans do not have access to primary health care facilities and are therefore dependent on traditional healers for their health care needs. Traditional healing is partly divination, carried out by a Sangoma, and partly herbalism, where an Inyanga is the health care provider. Sangomas are usualy female and occupy the position due to a calling, while the Inyanga are mostly male and undergo an extended apprenticeship.Research concerning methods of treatment used in traditional medicine is underway. Plants used for prostaglandin-related ailments have been screened and several showed high inhibitory activity in the cyclooxygenase assay. The scientific evaluation of traditional medicine could lead to a Traditional Medicines Formulary. The increasing demand for medicinal plants places the environment under severe pressure as all plants are collected from wild growing stocks. Different strategies are being followed in order to conserve the medicinally important species.

Keyword(s): Traditional medicine

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