ROLE OF INDEGENIOUS HEALERS

1. ROLE OF INDEGENIOUS HEALERS BY; SHREYA HOSPITAL

3. Introduction: Traditional medicine is an ancient medical practice that existed in human societies before the application of modern science to health. It has evolved to reflect different philosophical backgrounds and cultural origins. Although modern medicine is widely spread, traditional tribal medicine still exists in all the countries across the world. Interest in traditional medicine system has increased over the years. People in many countries are now prepared to look for alternative approaches to maintain their health.

4. Importance of Indigenous Medicines: Indigenous medicine can be defined as the knowledge, skills and practices of holistic health care, recognized and accepted for its role in the diagnosis, preventive and curative aspects of illness and disease to promote total wellbeing of the community. The approach is holistic and blending of physical, mental, social and spiritual well being. Its use is global. Even in the age of developed western system of medicine the indigenous system of medicine has thrived as the indigenous system of medicines are found to be positive, beneficial and scientifically sound. The traditional adivasi medicine men are regarded as the traditional healers in their societies and they do not belong to any specific school, such as Ayurvedic/Allopathic/Homeopathic etc. There is no written document on the subject. The principle ingredients of indigenous medicine are derived from plant source. Various types of plants and herbs available in the nature are collected for medical purposes by the healers themselves.

6. India has a great variety of traditional healing systems. Over the centuries, adivasis have developed their own medicine system. The indigenous Adivasi system of medicine based on indigenous theories and beliefs has been handed down orally from generation to generation. There are no written records on this branch of medicine. All the ingredients for the medicines are derived from nature. Besides herbs, seeds, roots and barks, various minerals, metals and other natural matters in their powdered form, are used for the preparations. The healers themselves gather all the necessary plants and herbs that grow wild in the forests intoning special prayers. There are prescriptions prohibitions and taboos for collection of plants and herbs on specific day and time. It is also believed that a particular plant or herb or part thereof is not collected on prescribed date and time, it looses its medicinal value.

7. Traditional adivasi healers are unlicensed but not necessarily untrained. Like physicians, they pursue their specialties, learning by observation and imitation. Often healing is considered a gift that runs in a family and is passed down from generation to generation. The ability to set bones, for example, is thought to be hereditary as is the power to stop bleeding. The Adivasi herbal medicines have absolutely no side effects.

8. A large proportion of the population in a number of developing countries still relies on traditional tribal practitioners, including traditional birth attendants, herbalists and bonesetters and on local medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs. Today indigenous system of medicine is making dramatic comeback and scientists are turning to natural products for answer to ailments like cancer, AIDS, hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

9. Indigenous medicine under increasing threat: The traditional indigenous medicine system of late is facing a new threat. The modern pharmaceutical companies are plundering the herbal wealth of the forests for manufacturing the modern medicines. This endangers the very survival of the species and makes it more difficult for traditional healers to find the herbs they need for their medicines. Government must take steps to prevent this before irrevocable damage has been done. Another great danger is deforestation, and the adivasis have been protesting against this practice as for them the forest is their life.

11. Traditional knowledge is in demand as a source of information of the possible properties of biological material. The traditional adivasi knowledge is not protected within the patent system as it stands today. The turmeric case highlights the problems faced by India in preventing bio-piracy. The recording of traditional knowledge seeks to reduce the possibility of bio-piracy, but looks to future legislation to effectively protect the rights of the people. Some important structural changes based on a sound legal footing are proposed, which can be easily incorporated within the present databases, and would go a long way in preventing bio-piracy and protecting the interests of the knowledge-holders footing. Realizing the potentiality of tribal medicines in curing various of chronic diseases, Pharmaceutical companies are trying their best to have the knowledge and register in their name under intellectual property rights.

12. Need for promoting and protecting Indigenous Medicine System: In developing countries like India where more than one-third of the population lack access to essential medicines, the provision of safe and effective traditional and alternative remedies could become an important source of increasing access to health care. One way to ensure this is to integrate traditional medicine into the formal health system, thus ensuring better safety and adequate follow-up for patients. As the modern medicine is costly and the common people are not in position to buy it so there is greater need for promotion of adivasimedicines. Since tribal medicine is integrated in other cultural elements of a society, its concept and practice are epistemologically transmitted from generation to generation orally in the absence of written language in non litrate and pre literate societies, there is strong need for documentation of such languishing tradition and try them after proper scientific study

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15. SHREYA HOSPITAL Plot No. 837, Shalimar Garden, Ext-ISahibabad, Ghaziabad 201005 (U.P.)Phone: 0120-4557474, +91 783 873 7363 www.shreyahospital.in