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African Cultures and Medical Systems
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This book offers a thorough examination of the diverse medical practices deeply rooted in African cultures.It provides a comprehensive analysis of traditional African medicine, emphasizing its hist...
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15 December 2026
This book offers a thorough examination of the diverse medical practices deeply rooted in African cultures.
It provides a comprehensive analysis of traditional African medicine, emphasizing its historical significance, philosophical foundations, and practical applications. Exploring the roles and expertise of various traditional medical practitioners, including healers, diviners, herbalists, and birth attendants, alongside methods of knowledge transmission such as apprenticeships and lineage systems, the book highlights the sophisticated educational frameworks within African societies. It examines how traditional medicine is used not only to heal the sick but also to maintain wellness through daily practices, linked to cultural identity, which foster social cohesion and a community-oriented approach to health care. Addressing a range of health issues, from maternal and child health to infectious diseases, mental health, and chronic conditions, the book illustrates how traditional practices offer effective and culturally relevant approaches to managing these conditions, approaches which complement modern biomedical methods. The book seeks to educate by offering detailed insights into African traditional medicine while validating such practices through empirical evidence and scientific research that supports their efficacy. Altogether, it promotes the integration of traditional and modern medical systems to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes both within and outside African societies.
This book will be made Open Access (license CC BY-NC-ND) within three years of publication thanks to Path to Open, a program developed in partnership between JSTOR, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), University of Michigan Press, and The University of North Carolina Press to bring about equitable access and impact for the entire scholarly community, including authors, researchers, libraries, and university presses around the world. Learn more at https://about.jstor.org/path-to-open/.
It provides a comprehensive analysis of traditional African medicine, emphasizing its historical significance, philosophical foundations, and practical applications. Exploring the roles and expertise of various traditional medical practitioners, including healers, diviners, herbalists, and birth attendants, alongside methods of knowledge transmission such as apprenticeships and lineage systems, the book highlights the sophisticated educational frameworks within African societies. It examines how traditional medicine is used not only to heal the sick but also to maintain wellness through daily practices, linked to cultural identity, which foster social cohesion and a community-oriented approach to health care. Addressing a range of health issues, from maternal and child health to infectious diseases, mental health, and chronic conditions, the book illustrates how traditional practices offer effective and culturally relevant approaches to managing these conditions, approaches which complement modern biomedical methods. The book seeks to educate by offering detailed insights into African traditional medicine while validating such practices through empirical evidence and scientific research that supports their efficacy. Altogether, it promotes the integration of traditional and modern medical systems to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes both within and outside African societies.
This book will be made Open Access (license CC BY-NC-ND) within three years of publication thanks to Path to Open, a program developed in partnership between JSTOR, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), University of Michigan Press, and The University of North Carolina Press to bring about equitable access and impact for the entire scholarly community, including authors, researchers, libraries, and university presses around the world. Learn more at https://about.jstor.org/path-to-open/.
Price: $170.00
Pages: 416
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Currey
Publication Date:
15 December 2026
Trim Size: 9.21 X 6.14 in
ISBN: 9781847014719
Format: Hardcover
BISACs:
SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Social and cultural anthropology, MEDICAL / Multicultural Medicine, MEDICAL / Indigenous Health & Healing, HEALTH & FITNESS / Indigenous Health & Healing, MEDICAL / Alternative & Complementary Medicine, MEDICAL / Holistic Medicine, MEDICAL / History, Cross-cultural / Intercultural studies and topics, Complementary and alternative medicine and therapies, Traditional medicine and herbal remedies, Health systems and services, History of medicine
Part I: Foundations
1. Historical Contexts of African Medical Systems
2. Philosophical Foundations of African Medical Systems
3. Spirituality and Religion in African Medicine: Ancestral Connections and Divine Intervention
Part II: Traditional Medical Practitioners
4. Healers, Diviners, and Herbalists: Unveiling the Roles and Responsibilities
5. Training and Transmission of Knowledge: Apprenticeship and The Lineage System
6. Traditional Birth Attendants: Safeguarding Mothers and Newborns
Part III: Practices and Therapies
7. The Power of Plants: Medicinal Herbs and Flora
8. Rituals and Ceremonies: Addressing Spiritual Causes of Illnesses
9. Embodied Therapies: Bodywork and Manipulation in African Traditional Healing Techniques
10. Nutritional Practices: Food As Medicine in African Diets
Part IV: Addressing Specific Conditions
11. Maternal and Child Health: Traditional Practices for Pregnancy, Birth, and Childcare
12. Infectious Diseases: Traditional Approaches to Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Other Concerns
13. Mental Health and Well-Being: Addressing Emotional and Psychological Issues
14. Chronic Conditions: Management of Diabetes, Hypertension, and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Part V: The Modern Landscape
15. Integration and Collaboration: Blending Traditional and Modern Medicine
16. Scientific Research on African Medicine: Exploring Efficacy and Potentials
17. Sustainability, Regulation, and Intellectual Property Rights
Conclusion
Appendix I
Appendix II
Bibliography
Index
1. Historical Contexts of African Medical Systems
2. Philosophical Foundations of African Medical Systems
3. Spirituality and Religion in African Medicine: Ancestral Connections and Divine Intervention
Part II: Traditional Medical Practitioners
4. Healers, Diviners, and Herbalists: Unveiling the Roles and Responsibilities
5. Training and Transmission of Knowledge: Apprenticeship and The Lineage System
6. Traditional Birth Attendants: Safeguarding Mothers and Newborns
Part III: Practices and Therapies
7. The Power of Plants: Medicinal Herbs and Flora
8. Rituals and Ceremonies: Addressing Spiritual Causes of Illnesses
9. Embodied Therapies: Bodywork and Manipulation in African Traditional Healing Techniques
10. Nutritional Practices: Food As Medicine in African Diets
Part IV: Addressing Specific Conditions
11. Maternal and Child Health: Traditional Practices for Pregnancy, Birth, and Childcare
12. Infectious Diseases: Traditional Approaches to Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Other Concerns
13. Mental Health and Well-Being: Addressing Emotional and Psychological Issues
14. Chronic Conditions: Management of Diabetes, Hypertension, and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Part V: The Modern Landscape
15. Integration and Collaboration: Blending Traditional and Modern Medicine
16. Scientific Research on African Medicine: Exploring Efficacy and Potentials
17. Sustainability, Regulation, and Intellectual Property Rights
Conclusion
Appendix I
Appendix II
Bibliography
Index