5 Healing Remedies of African Ancestry You Can Try Today
One of the 2.9 million things I learned/relearned in the year 2020 was the importance of feeling rooted as a way to withstand and even enjoy the winds of human life. This deep desire (need really!) to feel rooted, grounded, supported led me down a path of curiosity and a newfound appreciation for African culture, history, and of course, for this energy healer, African medicine.
Traditional African Medicine approaches health from a holistic perspective, which is to say it not only addresses the state of your body but the way it affects and connects with your mind and soul, giving each part of you equal consideration.
The wisdom and power of traditional African medicine are passed down through oral tradition and years-long mentorship. Elder Healers teach through storytelling, ceremony, and real world experience and hold a vast wealth of herb and plant knowledge.
Village Healers are responsible for a wide array of services for the village including maintaining the connection to our ancestors and spirituality (through prayer, ceremony, and storytelling) to treating the unwell, welcoming new babies, and supporting the end of life journey. At the onset of the chattel slave trade in Africa, the connection to this wealth of knowledge and traditional healing may have faded but was never lost.
The knowledge of how to heal our own bodies will always live right within us all.
The self-healing path can provide an exciting way to connect with the body and unravel some of its mysteries. On this path, you might develop your power to tune out unsupportive or irrelevant voices in the mind so you can tune into what you truly need, at the moment, to grow.
What treasures and tools can we rediscover that might take us to places and feelings we can only dream of?
5 Healing Remedies of African Ancestry You Can Try Today
Dancing is used for healing and expression in cultures across the globe, it’s certainly a human trait that binds us! In African dance, the rhythm of the drums connects us to the beat of the Mother’s heart in the womb. Dancing itself pumps the toxin clearing powerhouses of the lymphatic system, strengthens the cardiovascular system, and revitalizes our muscles, joints, tendons, and cartilage. The most important benefit of moving the body through dance and rhythm is that it has the ability to release the disease-causing trauma that we store all over our bodies. Turn on your favorite song and let that body loose!
Rooibos is a lovely, smooth, caffeine-free tea grown only in a specific part of South Africa. Over the years this humble yet powerful plant has made its way to shelves around the world not only because of its delicious flavor and alluring red color but because of its healing properties. Use this tea to quell digestive distress, calm the nervous system, and to lower inflammation.
Community gathering is important for everyone's health as humans are pack oriented. In African culture being held by a community is an important ritual in cultivating compassion for others. Being “seen” means that we feel less alone and being understood gives one the platform for confidence and discovering their true nature and gifts. For people of color, it's more important than ever to seek out the support of our communities as we continue to heal the effects of generations of systemic racism. Even though physical gathering is currently restricted, we can still reap the benefits of connection by making time to stay in regular touch with friends and family, showing up to virtual groups, and showing compassion for ourselves and others.
Ashwagandha is mostly associated with Ayurveda (India’s ancient holistic medicine system) but it also grows in parts of Africa and is used in its traditional medicine as well. This herb is known to lower blood sugar and lower cortisol levels which means it can ease stress and anxiety. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, folks with aching joints and other inflammation caused ailments may find relief.
Libations is an African ritual of connecting with our ancestry. Cool fresh water is poured over the Earth as one contemplates the journey of their ancestors, gratitude for all they have, and prays to heal or bless their family line. No matter your belief system, we all have ancestors. Keeping a working knowledge of the people that lived before us has the potential benefit of reaping great wisdom. Keeping our future ancestors in mind helps us make open-hearted decisions that can bless others for generations. What type of ancestral legacy do you want to leave?
As you contemplate the information above let it guide your personal curiosity to the plants, medicines, and wisdom that feels right for your body and path. As we begin to see that there is endless knowledge, perspective, and experience in the world it becomes even more important to trust our own inner healer and connect with the influences and vibration of the things that make us feel rooted and supported. Here’s to health, wellness, and gratitude in your next year!
About The Author
Heather is a breath meditation teacher and writer based in the Pacific Northwest. She is currently working to reconnect folks with traditional ways to heal the body, mind, and soul. When she’s not playing Auntie to her village you can find her fussing over the houseplants or dance-walking around the neighborhood.
Instagram: @semi_woo
Facebook: @semiwoo2
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