Western Influence On African American Culture

On the surface, the origins of modern medicine seem to have nothing but a Western influence. Amongst the world’s medical products, the U.S. is literally the mecca of prescription and over the counter drugs. America alone accounts for five of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical corporations (Pharmaceutical-Technology 1.) However, America’s prowess and significance in the world of medicine does not necessarily elucidate to the entirety of the history of medicine. Contrary to popular belief, Africa is not just the nerve center of witch doctors and charms for medical services. Nonetheless, throughout Africa’s comprehensive history, there is an immense amount of herbs and roots utilized by Indigenous practitioners that helped African people throughout
Many of which, accompanied with their traditions and medicine are transferred orally (Van Wyk, Van Oudtshoorn, Nigel Gericke 7.) Needless to say, the significance of these spiritual traditions and medications is vital in understanding the historical context of these holistic and spiritual practices. In fact, today [especially in underdeveloped regions,] nearly eighty percent of African countries still use these traditional and spiritual practices to keep up with their health care needs (Peltzer 10.) Of that eighty percent, one hundred million consists of persons practicing traditional religions (Britannica Encyclopedia 306.) Although that only makes up ten percent, it is also important to take into consideration the syncretism into many of the continents popular religions, such as Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. Nonetheless, healing itself fulfills the purpose in appealing to God [or a God,] for it is God himself who created sickness. This implements the importance of these practitioners to appease to their