Clinical Practices of African Traditional Medicine

ABSTRACT

In African traditional medicine; the curative; training; promotive and rehabilitative services are referred to as clinical practices. These traditional health care services are provided through tradition and culture prescribed under a particular philosophy; e.g. ubuntu or unhu. Norms; taboos; tradition and culture; which are the cornerstones of clinical practice of traditional medicine; are the major reason for the acceptability of traditional health practitioners in the community they serve. The philosophical clinical care embedded in these traditions; culture and taboos have contributed to making traditional medicine practices acceptable and hence highly demanded by the population. This paper discusses the different traditional health care services; such as curative services; general traditional healthcare; mental healthcare; midwifery; bone setting; rehabilitative and promotional services that increases health awareness and developing positive attitudes and behaviour towards healthier living)