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Herbal and traditional medicine

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Do you know what the difference is between an inyanga and an isangoma? Get clued up on traditional healers and what they do.

About 80% of South Africans make use of the services of traditional healers.

Four types of healers can be identified: a herbalist, (inyanga), traditional diviner (isangoma), faith healer/spiritual healer (Umthandazi) and traitional birth attendants (umbelekisi).

The inyanga specialises in the use of herbal medicines and has extensive knowledge of curative herbs, natural treatment and medicine mixtures made of animal origin. Inyangas are usually male.

The isangoma is a traditional diviner and a diagnostician. They define illnesses and the circumstances of the illness. They don’t necessarily have knowledge of medicinal herbs, because their speciality is that of divining through mediumship with the ancestral spirits. Isangomas are usually female.

Abathandazi are faith healers and are usually professed Christians. They heal mostly through prayer by laying hands on patients or providing holy water.

Umbelekisi The traditional birth attendants are usually elderly women who are highly respected for their obstetrical and ritual expertise. They train for 15 to 20 years before assuming the title. Traditional birth attendants provide care for the pregnant woman, attend the birth, give postpartum care, and provide support for breast-feeding, marriage, contraception and fertility.

Herbal medication is the most common therapeutic method used by traditional healers. Other methods include psychosocial counselling, simple surgical procedures (such as blood-letting), rituals and symbolism.

Medications can be classified in three categories:

preventative and prophylactic medication (such as for self-fortification or amakhubalo),

treatments for ailments of umuthi, and

medications to destroy the power in others.

As with other complementary health systems, the patient’s spiritual and physical wellbeing are treated at the same time.

Traditional healers to contact

KwaZulu-Natal
Mr SJ Mhlongo
tel: 032 481 2179 / 083 628 1425

Free State
TDr Maria Mahlaba
058 863 1054 / 073 343 3411

Mpumalanga
TDr David Makhubela
013 773 0159 / 082 253 7045

North West
Ms Virginnia Mvelo Dhlamini
018 489 3871

Gauteng
TDr Mashilompana
082 663 8782

Eastern Cape
Ms Fezeka Kosi
041 464 7290 / 084 748 6487