title: Traditional African medicine: theory and pharmacology explored.
abstract: Traditional African medicine (TAM) is a shorthand reference to indigenous forms of healing that are practiced all over Africa. Although TAM is based on the accumulated experience of ancient Africans, its mode of transmission by word-of-mouth has hindered emergence of a generally accepted theory and hence of the systematic development of TAM as a self-regulating profession. A major therapeutic objective in the treatment of illness in TAM is diffusion of emotional stress. This article summarizes the argument for such a therapy, and suggests that TAM is a distinct system of health care and not a rudimentary form of modern Western medicine.
authors.affiliation: University of Ibadan, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, PO Box 20334, UI Post Office, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria. dpc@ibadan.skannet.com.ng
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Okpako
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D010600:Pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts