Traditional Headling of Madagascar

Through creating this blog, I hope to expand my knowledge of traditional healing in different parts of Africa, which use a combination of natural medicines and spirituality to heal. I will study two regions of Africa, and learn about the different methods of traditional healing they practice based on their religion, beliefs and location.

I am curious, as well, to compare the traditional methods of healing in Africa with those of the Mi'kmaq people here in Nova Scotia. As a Mi'kmaq First Nation, I have a curiosity and obligation to discover more about my own culture in this way.

Comparing my findings to the traditional/natural spiritual healing of the Mi'kmaq people rather than the medicine of the Western countries, which is essentially based off of logical analysis and more current medicine, is more intriguing to me. I am hoping this blog will give me the opportunity to explore my own culture on deeper levels as well as shed light on the methods of traditional healing used in Africa.

My goal is that I am able to compare and contrast these findings, formulate personal opinions, and gain feedback through discussion.

The first location I am researching is the beautiful and mysterious Madagascar.


The forests of Madagascar have 12000 plants that cannot be found anywhere else in our world. This means traditional healing processes used in Madagascar, which involve the use of natural substances, are unique from any other methods...even other traditional methods in other parts of Africa.

Below is a quotation spoken by Itv Dimbiraza, a traditional Madagascan healer:

“The forest helps us to cure all illnesses. So we need to preserve the forest everywhere in the world, not just in Madagascar, in the world because the forest is nature. It’s our second God. There’s God up there and the forest is our second God.”

It is obvious that this healer's methodical beliefs are both spiritual, and based off of nature. Many beliefs in the Mi'kmaq culture are also based off of nature, as the Mi'kmaq are very in touch, spiritually, with nature.

Practitioners of traditional and natural healing in Madagascar, such as Itv, claim their plants have the capabilities to manage terminal illnesses such as cancer.

A plant called the Madagascar Periwinkle is used by Madagascans to manage leukemia in children (below).

Below is a simple comparison I found between Mi'kmaq and Madagascan traditional medicinal herbs...

Below is a photograph of Ground Juniper: an herb used traditionally by the Mi'kmaq to cure kidney ailments and bladder infections.

Below is a photograph of the Pygeum: an herb used in Madagascar to increase ease of urination.

I am curious to see what other comparisons I can make between the traditional medicines used by these two cultures.

Works Cited
Francis, Bernie, Kristie Gehue, Julie Martin, Clayton Paul, and Mary Martha Sylliboy. "Mi'kmaw Language, Spirituality & Medicine- Mi'kmaw -Tlo'ti." Cape Breton University. Eastern Woodland Publishing, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.
"Herbal Medicine." Africa 24 Media (n.d.): n. pag. A24media.com. Africa 24 Media. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.
"Traditional African Medicine." Wikipedia. WIKI, 30 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.

Photo Acknowledgments
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/af.htm
http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Edible_Plants_Ramer_Silver_Weizmann/Pages/spp_page_juniper.html
http://www.afroditeafrodisiacos.com.br/products-page/product-category/pygeum-africanum
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2011/schneide_rebe/references.htm
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/mg.htm