The Significance of Traditional and Indigenous Medicine in African Countries and its affect on Neurological Disorders

In many African countries, the ethnic communities within use traditional and indigenous medicine as their primary health care. For example, in Ethiopia the importance of Zootherapy in the traditional healthcare system uses Animals, body parts, secretions, excreta and their products have been used as a source of medicine for the treatment of different physical and mental disorders across the globe. 80% of the inhabitants of the Sub-Saharan mainly rely on animal and plant based traditional medication to meet their healthcare needs. However, this indigenous medical practice is being neglected due to poor documentation. 

Ethiopia is known for having wide climatic and ecologic conditions which possess a wide range of fauna and flora of different species that are used for medicinal purpose. Meat or fatty meat was the most commonly (27.5%) used animals’ part for its medicinal value followed by liver, skin, and (urine and feces) (7.5% each).Direct use of the medicinal animal is the most common (36.3%) mode for the use of the medicinal animal followed by mixing with other ingredients (10%) and preparation of soup/stew (8.8%). Oral route as the most commonly (50.0%) used route for administration of medicinal preparations followed by the dermal route (30.8%). 

 In a study that was conducted in Motta city administration and Hulet Eju Enessie District, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. The licensed traditional medical practitioners and selected indigenous people were knowledgable  by the local community for their knowledge of traditional medicinal services were purposively selected with the help of community leaders, health extension workers, and local authorities of the respective kebeles.In addition, a snowball sampling technique was also employed to identify other potential informants from the people living in selected kebeles. Ethnozoological data (Local name, indication, parts of the animal used, mode of preparation, route of administration) were collected from each informant using a semi-structured questionnaire.

The results were: The majority of the informants 11 (33.3%) obtained their knowledge on the medicinal use of animal and animal products from their father. Most of the informants (69.7%) were interested in transferring their medicinal knowledge to the next generation. In the present study, A total of 25 species that belong to five classes (Mammals, Bird, Reptiles, Amphibia, and insects) were used for the management of 38 health conditions. Mammals were the most frequently (64%) used medicinal animals by traditional medicinal practitioners and indigenous people in the study area. Among the total medicinal animals/products used traditionally, 18 species (72%) were from wild sources as compared to those obtained domestically. 

Current trends in the treatment of neurological disorders show that neurological and related disorders (NRDs) contributed significantly to the mortality and morbidity of patients worldwide. The present review describes the ethnobiology of Medicinal Animals and associated products used to treat NRDs in Ethiopia and other African countries. In the present review, 42 animal species were used in a healthcare reputation to manage neurodevelopmental disorders in Ethiopia. The reported AS sought for zootherapy against NRDs in Ethiopia belong to five classes. Of which 28 AS (66.67%) belong to the class of mammals followed by birds (7 AS, 16.67%). In addition, 5 AS (11.9%) reported for the treatment of NRDs belonged to the class of reptiles.

In our world today, the majority of the population primarily relies on traditional medicinal remedies and medical practices for attaining primary healthcare needs,  indigenous medicinal knowledge is an important alternative in the healthcare delivery system. Different parts and products of various species of both wild and domestic animals are used for the preparation of curative, protective, and preventive remedies for the management of various ailmentsMany bioactive compounds are obtained following scientific validation of traditional medicinal remedies used by traditional medicinal practitioners and indigenous people. These bioactive compounds are the lead compounds for many drugs used in the healthcare system  For example, clinically important drugs like insulin, hormonal contraceptives, heparin, and most antiviral vaccines are isolated and obtained from animals namely pork, bovine, and horse

Sources:

Ethnozoological study of medicinal animals and animals’ products used by traditional medicinal practitioners and indigenous people in Motta city administration and Hulet Eju Enessie District, East Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022001177

Traditional Zootherapeutic prescriptions employed in the management of neurological and related disorders in Ethiopia:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1872203222000725