Indigenous healing practices in sub-Saharan Africa

Healers seek to help patients understand the sociocultural basis of their health conditions, and how they can recognize, activate, or utilize resources and or support systems necessary to alleviate their suffering. Treatment modalities include relaxation techniques, use of herbs, psychocultural education, dream interpretation, storytelling, use of proverbs, cleansing, libation, music, and ceremonies. In this chapter, we consider the importance of indigenous healing systems, history of research into traditional healthcare in Africa, national and international influences on African indigenous healing systems, current practices, legal and professional issues, and issues for research on African indigenous healing systems.