However, the future of African traditional medicine is bright if viewed in the context of service provision, increase of health care coverage, economic potential, and poverty reduction. Traditional medical practices are still shrouded with much secrecy, with few reports or documentations of adverse reactions. Major obstacles to the use of African medicinal plants are their poor quality control and safety. The adjustment is ok, but may be replaced with –‘ Herbal medicine was once termed primitive by western medicine but through scientific investigations there is a better understanding of its therapeutic activities such that many pharmaceuticals have been modeled on phytochemicals derived from it.
Herbal medicine is the cornerstone of traditional medicine but may include minerals and animal parts. Illness is regarded as having both natural and supernatural causes and thus must be treated by both physical and spiritual means, using divination, incantations, animal sacrifice, exorcism, and herbs.
The traditional healer provides health care services based on culture, religious background, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that are prevalent in his community.
African traditional medicine is a form of holistic health care system organized into three levels of specialty, namely divination, spiritualism, and herbalism.
