Indigenous knowledge of traditional medicine: Answering the question of knowledge acquisition and transmission among the traditional health practitioners in Uganda

Abstract

The practice of traditional healing is a continuous experience that has been part of national healthcare systems of many African societies for many years. Using a descriptive research design, this study aimed to explore the ways in which traditional health practitioners acquire knowledge of traditional healing and treatment with herbal medicines. It is possible for many spiritual healers and herbalists to know what they know but almost impossible to tell how they know the things they do and this may turn up a health hazard. Some of the traditional healers and herbalists interviewed for this study consented to not having logical/scientific explanation to most of their practices. Many believe that disease does not respond to right explanation but right medicine. However, in recognition of its role in saving lives of particularly the poor and those living in remote and hard to reach areas, scientific research should be conducted to help traditional healers and herbalists understand their practices. Traditional healers themselves must express willingness to learn from each other.