Thesis ( M.A. (Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / The role of indigenous healers in managing various conditions of ill-health has been studied and debated. Studies have revealed that the majority of the population in South Africa use traditional health care to treat various mental conditions. Studies have also revealed that traditional medicine plays an important role in primary health care in many countries. The aim of the study was to explore Swati traditional healers’ conceptualization of the causes and treatment methods of mental illness in Kanyamazane Township in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. A phenomenological research method was used in the present study. Ten (10) traditional healers, six (6) female and four (4) male, who were selected through purposive sampling method participated in the study. Semi structured personal interviews were conducted with the traditional healers. The interviews were conducted in siSwati and later translated to English. The main themes that emerged were grouped under the following 3 main topics: conceptualisation and types of mental illness; causes of mental illness; and, treatment of mental illness. The traditional healers identified and described a number of mental illnesses that could be identified by their behavioural symptoms and thought disruptions. These include: depressive conditions, addictions, psychotic illnesses, adjustment disorders and genetic mental illnesses. Mental illness was perceived to be caused by a number of factors that, among others, include the following: supernatural powers such as witchcraft, spirit possession, intrusion of objects, evil mechanisation, improper use of traditional medicine, disregarding ancestors and cultural customs as well invitation by ancestors to become a traditional healer, substance abuse, genetic predisposition, life stressors, social conditions, and injuries to the head, Cleansing the patient of evil spirits through washing, steaming, induced vomiting, casting out evil and herbal medication were some of the methods that were found to be commonly used to treat mental illness. The study found that the theory underlying traditional healing is essentially similar, and that traditional healers utilise a culturally coherent and holistic approach in dealing with health and illness.

<p>The majority of Cameroonians depend on traditional medicines for their health care needs and about seven per cent of the average household health budget is spent on traditional medicines irrespective of their incomes. The aim of this study was (i) to assess the role of traditional healers (THs) in providing oral care services in Cameroon / (ii) to determine their cost of treatment and to investigate reasons why people visit THs. The present study was cross sectional and consisted of a sample of 21 THs and 52 clients with a history of dental problems. It utilized semi structured questionnaires and photographs to collect data. The mean age of THs was 46.0 years (range 20-77 years). Thirty per cent of THs were above 40 years and the majority males. Nearly a quarter of the THs practiced as herbalists and the remainder practiced both divination and herbalism. More than two thirds of Cameroonians, who patronize THs for their oral health needs, fall within the 20-40 year age group. THs in this region are experienced and enjoy good relationships with hospitals and other THs. However, collaboration between the oral health work force and THs is very poor as only 6% of all patients seen by THs are referred to the dentist. Socio-cultural and economic factors affect the oral health care seeking behavior of patients in this area and only 6.5% of patients visit dental clinics. Reasons for not attending dental clinics included cost, poor accessibility, superstition and fear.</p>

The current study’s aim was to explore and document the role of South Asian traditional healers residing in Toronto as it has been observed that South Asians tend to approach these traditional healers for assistance with their physical, psychological and spiritual distresses. These healers were interviewed about their background, training, the South Asian traditional healing processes and their thoughts on collaboration with Western Mental Health practitioners. The data was analyzed using Grounded Theory. The results revealed that these traditional healers closely followed the South Asian traditional healing theories and cultural norms in their practices. The healing processes reflected the ideas of holism, planetary effects and religious healing. The traditional healers also expressed eagerness to associate with the Western Mental Health care services to benefit their clients. The findings suggest that South Asian traditional healers play a major role in the lives of South Asians.

The current study’s aim was to explore and document the role of South Asian traditional healers residing in Toronto as it has been observed that South Asians tend to approach these traditional healers for assistance with their physical, psychological and spiritual distresses. These healers were interviewed about their background, training, the South Asian traditional healing processes and their thoughts on collaboration with Western Mental Health practitioners. The data was analyzed using Grounded Theory. The results revealed that these traditional healers closely followed the South Asian traditional healing theories and cultural norms in their practices. The healing processes reflected the ideas of holism, planetary effects and religious healing. The traditional healers also expressed eagerness to associate with the Western Mental Health care services to benefit their clients. The findings suggest that South Asian traditional healers play a major role in the lives of South Asians.

<p>The majority of Cameroonians depend on traditional medicines for their health care needs and about seven per cent of the average household health budget is spent on traditional medicines irrespective of their incomes. The aim of this study was (i) to assess the role of traditional healers (THs) in providing oral care services in Cameroon / (ii) to determine their cost of treatment and to investigate reasons why people visit THs. The present study was cross sectional and consisted of a sample of 21 THs and 52 clients with a history of dental problems. It utilized semi structured questionnaires and photographs to collect data. The mean age of THs was 46.0 years (range 20-77 years). Thirty per cent of THs were above 40 years and the majority males. Nearly a quarter of the THs practiced as herbalists and the remainder practiced both divination and herbalism. More than two thirds of Cameroonians, who patronize THs for their oral health needs, fall within the 20-40 year age group. THs in this region are experienced and enjoy good relationships with hospitals and other THs. However, collaboration between the oral health work force and THs is very poor as only 6% of all patients seen by THs are referred to the dentist. Socio-cultural and economic factors affect the oral health care seeking behavior of patients in this area and only 6.5% of patients visit dental clinics. Reasons for not attending dental clinics included cost, poor accessibility, superstition and fear.</p>

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The thesis examines mental illness as it is understood and treated by traditional healers in Kavango, based on ethnographic data collected over twelve (12) months in three (3) different phases from 2014 to 2016. The thesis offers ethnographic material and theoretical insight on the socio-cultural construction of three common mental disorders (CMD) which were identified and treated by traditional healers: Nyambi, Kasenge and Ndjangura. I employed the ‘cultural models’ of Dahlberg et al (2010, p. 282) as a framework to understand mental illness and its treatment by traditional healers - who deal with sick persons on a daily basis. The three common mentally related illnesses appear to be specific to the Kavango people, based on their cultural settings. I argue that these mental illness categories are not fixed or objective, but rather reflect the expertise of the Vanganga (Traditional healers) who identify them, and ultimately treat the afflicted. While traditional healers themselves assume that these local notions of mental illness are static, in reality they are not. Rather, these are active concepts constituted by culturally and socially relative categories whose precise boundaries and meanings vary and are highly contested. It was evident that the conceptualization (expression of belief patterns, thoughts and ideas) by the Vanganga (Traditional healers) of the three local mentally related illnesses differed, in the ways they perceived and treated similar conditions. The manner in which these perceived signs and symptoms informed their diagnoses differed, but also overlapped: in terms of basic assumptions that underlay explanations and treatment, and the ways in which the conditions became manifest. The thesis postulates that Traditional healers form part of the local health care system, historically unregulated. There have been calls for the recognition and regulation of traditional healers and their medicines, but to date such recognition and regulation has, if anything, been sporadic, insufficient and controversial. In response to this I provide a new way of classifying traditional healers in Kavango and propose the use of three categories: Kangangwena (assistant traditional healer), Nganga (general traditional healer) and Nkurunganga (expert traditional healer). The thesis discusses the cultural epistemology of traditional healing concerning the use of medicinal plants as treatment for mental illness. Plant knowledge and its application by traditional healers is explored, with the emphasis on the medicinal plants used to treat various mentally related illnesses. In addition, administration methods and the medicinal plants used in the treatment of mental illness are examined. I argue that medicinal plants are believed to possess powers that need to be "enticed or seduced" by healers, in order to produce a therapeutic effect on the muveri (sick person). I contend that medicinal plants are perceived to have an agentivity which is embedded in the community and people who utilize them. Thus, I intend to show that medicinal plants have power that work at different levels via ritual healing ceremonies and communication to the ancestors, as a way of "seducing" them to bring forth their therapeutic effect on the sick person. The plants in question were "seduced" inter alia by boiling, powdering, crushing and soaking, to increase their rate of reaction and generate more therapeutic power. A total of 37 medicinal plant species belonging to 24 families were reported to be used traditionally in Kavango regions in Namibia, to treat the five different categories of mental disorders. The most reported use of plants was of Albizia tanganyicensis, Ancylanthos rubiginosus, Bobgunnia madagascariensis, Dialium engleranum Diospyros virgata, Elaeodendron transvaalense and Guibourtia coleosperma. Roots and leaves were most frequently used in treatment. Remedies were prepared by boiling, while oral intake and steaming were most commonly used by healers to administer them. / National Research Foundation (NRF) and National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST)

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The majority of Cameroonians depend on traditional medicines for their health care needs and about seven per cent of the average household health budget is spent on traditional medicines irrespective of their incomes. The aim of this study was (i) to assess the role of traditional healers (THs) in providing oral care services in Cameroon; (ii) to determine their cost of treatment and to investigate reasons why people visit THs. The present study was cross sectional and consisted of a sample of 21 THs and 52 clients with a history of dental problems. It utilized semi structured questionnaires and photographs to collect data. The mean age of THs was 46.0 years (range 20-77 years). Thirty per cent of THs were above 40 years and the majority males. Nearly a quarter of the THs practiced as herbalists and the remainder practiced both divination and herbalism. More than two thirds of Cameroonians, who patronize THs for their oral health needs, fall within the 20-40 year age group. THs in this region are experienced and enjoy good relationships with hospitals and other THs. However, collaboration between the oral health work force and THs is very poor as only 6% of all patients seen by THs are referred to the dentist. Socio-cultural and economic factors affect the oral health care seeking behavior of patients in this area and only 6.5% of patients visit dental clinics. Reasons for not attending dental clinics included cost, poor accessibility, superstition and fear. / South Africa

Magister Artium - MA / This study falls within the framework of the larger multidisciplinary university health initiative (MUTHI) objectives to investigate and document the use of local medicinal plants for the treatment of HIV and symptoms of related opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, thrush and shingles in the Western Cape. The study stems from twelve months fieldwork in Strand, Western Cape and the collection of plants from Mpoza, Eastern Cape for a variety of reasons. The study ethnographically documents when, under which circumstances and where plants are collected for use.As far as I am aware this is the first anthropological study which "follows" traditional healers in the Western Cape to a site in the Eastern Cape where they collect plants. Seventeen plants were collected from different genera which traditional healers reported to use as treatment for suspected HIV and related symptoms. For each plant I describe the medicinal uses,preparatory techniques and plant parts used as suggested by traditional healers. I also explore healer's aetiologies concerning plants, treatments and the social-material relations which are prevalent in my research settings.

The post-apartheid repetition and insertion of an unchanged standard clinic design across South Africa, has resulted in a number of urban and design problems stemming from the architecture of the clinics and their inability to adapt. Designed before the resurgence of the Tuberculosis epidemic, the facilities were not designed for optimal ventilation or air-borne infection prevention . The current healthcare facilities cannot support the ever-increasing urban population, and as a result, patients are forced to wait for long hours before being attended to, in poorly ventilated, unstimulating spaces. Emanating from an understanding of the relationship between architecture, health and the transmission of disease, the dissertation endeavours to create a new healthcare facility that remedies these problems through design. The dissertation identifies Alaska, an informal settlement, as an appropriate site in need of and with a population size to support a new public healthcare facility. Recognising the risks of blind top-down provision of buildings into informal settlements, the dissertation explores the power of a collaborative approach towards design. The design process engages the community in a series of participatory exercises in order to discover and enable grass-roots knowledge and innovation, and to instill a sense of ownership and responsibility for the intervention, after construction is complete. The dissertation studies the traditional healthcare practitioners within the settlement, for spatial clues and an alternate approach to the provision and architecture of healthcare. The Salutogenic (the healthy pole of the health- disease continuum) approach of the traditional healers is merged with the pathogenic design sensibilities of typical western facilities, in order to create a facility which not only focuses on curing disease, but also on instilling preventative habits within the community. The intervention intention to be reflective of and responsive to the dynamic context of Alaska, is realised through the spatial and design intelligences of a top-down provider enabling the innovation and local knowledge of bottom-up approaches through a collaborative design process. The intetnion is expressed through the inclusion and manipulation of local building materials and techniques. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

MSc (Chemistry) / Department of Chemistry / Bridelia micrantha (Hochst) Baill (B. micrantha) is a South African medicinal plant used by traditional healers in the treatment of different human ailments including diabetes, gastrointestinal ailments, joint aches, cough, conjunctivitis, skin problems and malaria. Previous studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic activities of B. micrantha crude extracts in in vivo studies. However, there are no studies on the compounds responsible for the antidiabetic activity of the plant. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize the antidiabetic constituents from B. micrantha. Materials and methods Crude methanolic extracts of root, stem and leaf were investigated using in vitro antidiabetic enzyme assays. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power assays. The isolation of the antidiabetic constituents was carried out using column chromatography on silica gel. Purification of the active fraction was carried out using preparative thin layer chromatography (pTLC). Structure elucidation of the compound was carried out using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and by comparison with literature. Results The results obtained in this study indicated that root, stem and leaf extracts exhibited high inhibition activity against α-glucosidase (98.52, 98.62 and 81.62% respectively). A moderate inhibition against α-amylase enzyme was observed for root (65.62%) and stem (61.86%) extracts. Leaf fraction LFR5 exhibited a high inhibition activity of 96.19% against α-glucosidase. Moreover, the isolated compound showed 96.74% inhibition against α-glucosidase. DPPH results revealed that antioxidant activity of crude extracts was not significantly different and they were concentration-dependent. Reducing power results revealed that stem (119.31 μg/mL) extract had higher activities compared to root (125.17 μg/mL) and leaf (291.88 μg/mL) extracts. Conclusion Quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnoside was successfully isolated from B. micrantha leaves. Furthermore, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnoside demonstrated the ability to inhibit significantly the carbohydrate hydrolysing enzyme α-glucosidase and therefore validate the ethnomedicinal use of B. micrantha in the management of diabetes / Bridelia micrantha (Hochst) Baill (B. micrantha) is a South African medicinal plant used by traditional healers in the treatment of different human ailments including diabetes, gastrointestinal ailments, joint aches, cough, conjunctivitis, skin problems and malaria. Previous studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic activities of B. micrantha crude extracts in in vivo studies. However, there are no studies on the compounds responsible for the antidiabetic activity of the plant. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize the antidiabetic constituents from B. micrantha. Materials and methods Crude methanolic extracts of root, stem and leaf were investigated using in vitro antidiabetic enzyme assays. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power assays. The isolation of the antidiabetic constituents was carried out using column chromatography on silica gel. Purification of the active fraction was carried out using preparative thin layer chromatography (pTLC). Structure elucidation of the compound was carried out using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and by comparison with literature. Results The results obtained in this study indicated that root, stem and leaf extracts exhibited high inhibition activity against α-glucosidase (98.52, 98.62 and 81.62% respectively). A moderate inhibition against α-amylase enzyme was observed for root (65.62%) and stem (61.86%) extracts. Leaf fraction LFR5 exhibited a high inhibition activity of 96.19% against α-glucosidase. Moreover, the isolated compound showed 96.74% inhibition against α-glucosidase. DPPH results revealed that antioxidant activity of crude extracts was not significantly different and they were concentration-dependent. Reducing power results revealed that stem (119.31 μg/mL) extract had higher activities compared to root (125.17 μg/mL) and leaf (291.88 μg/mL) extracts. Conclusion Quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnoside was successfully isolated from B. micrantha leaves. Furthermore, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnoside demonstrated the ability to inhibit significantly the carbohydrate hydrolysing enzyme α-glucosidase and therefore validate the ethnomedicinal use of B. micrantha in the management of diabetes.