The Use of Traditional Medicine in the Management of Common Illnesses in Rural Ethiopian Communities
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Traditional medicine continues to play a central role in the health practices of rural Ethiopian communities, where access to biomedical services is often limited and cultural traditions remain strong. The reliance on herbal remedies, ritual healing, and indigenous diagnostic methods reflects centuries of accumulated knowledge passed through oral traditions and apprenticeship systems. In many villages, plants such as Artemisia abyssinica and Croton macrostachyus are used to treat malaria and gastrointestinal disorders, while spiritual rituals address conditions believed to be linked to social or supernatural causes. The persistence of these practices is not only a matter of necessity but also of identity, as healing is closely tied to community values and religious beliefs. Research indicates that traditional healers occupy respected positions within rural society, often serving as the first point of contact for patients with common illnesses. Their treatments are shaped by ecological knowledge of local plants, as well as symbolic interpretations of illness that differ from biomedical frameworks. While modern health services have expanded in Ethiopia, rural populations continue to rely on traditional medicine for conditions such as respiratory infections, maternal health problems, and childhood fevers. This reliance raises important questions about safety, efficacy, and the potential for collaboration between traditional and biomedical systems. The article examines the historical roots of Ethiopian traditional medicine, the types of illnesses managed through indigenous practices, and the role of healers in sustaining community health. It also considers the interaction between traditional and modern healthcare, highlighting both tensions and opportunities for integration. Through case studies and ethnographic accounts, the discussion situates traditional medicine within broader debates about cultural continuity, medical pluralism, and rural health strategies in Africa.
Author: Mohammed Hassen
Institution: Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7118129161