Indigenous Healthcare Practices: A Review

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21319833

Sejabaledi A. Rankoana (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Limpopo, South Africa)

In South Africa, primary care is delivered through biomedical practices and indigenous health care systems. The indigenous healthcare systems include cultural practices that can treat and manage diseases and illnesses, prevent issues, promote health, and address social determinants of health. This review uses a narrative literature review methodology to describe indigenous healthcare practices. The review identified recurring themes, including disease aetiology, the health implications of observing cultural taboos, food and water security, and medical ethnobotanical knowledge, which are indigenous knowledge systems employed to sustain good health. These knowledge systems have demonstrated their potential to support health. Indigenous healthcare can contribute to primary healthcare policy by developing a readily available, affordable, holistic approach to good health and well-being.