PHARM 573 Complementary & Alternative Medicine PDF

PHARM 573 Complementary & Alternative Medicine Diagnosis, Aetiology of disease, Methods of Diagnosis, Role of Psychism & Spiritism, etc. Dr. Bernard K. Turkson Department of Herbal Medicine, 1 Faculty of...

PHARM 573 Complementary & Alternative Medicine Diagnosis, Aetiology of disease, Methods of Diagnosis, Role of Psychism & Spiritism, etc. Dr. Bernard K. Turkson Department of Herbal Medicine, 1 Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences.  Outline Introduction  Aetiology of disease  Methods of Diagnosis  Role of Psychism & Spiritism, etc. 2  Introduction In traditional medicine (TM), the understanding of disease is deeply rooted in: Cultural beliefs Spiritual interpretations Holistic approaches Unlike modern medicine, which often emphasizes biological and physiological factors, traditional medicine incorporates a broader spectrum of influences, including: Emotional Spiritual dimensions. 3  Introduction There are several ways traditional Africans explain or understand the causes of disease. The first point of contact is the view that disease is often caused by attacks from evil or bad spirits. Some also believe that when the ancestors are not treated well, they could punish people with disease. In some Ghanaian communities, especially in the Akan communities, one could become sick through invocation of curses in the name of river deities, Antoa. In their understanding, it is a means of seeking justice from the river deity 4  Introduction Disease is often perceived as a disruption in the balance between the physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of a person. For example, in many African cultures, health is seen as a state of harmony, and illness can signify a disintegration of this balance between the body and spirit. 5  Aetiology of diseases in TM Aetiology of diseases refers to the cause(s) and origins of diseases. In TM, a person’s ailment could be caused by non-physical and physical agents. Therefore diseases are categorized according to believed causes. The aetiology of diseases in traditional medicine varies significantly across cultures, often intertwining with; Physical Emotional Psychogenic Esoteric Cosmological Spiritual This holistic approach contrasts with the biomedical model, which primarily focuses on physical causes. 6  Aetiology of diseases in TM Traditional medicine typically categorizes diseases based on various theories of causation. Personalistic Theories Diseases are attributed to the actions of supernatural beings or entities, such as witches or ancestral spirits. Offending these spirits can lead to illness. Naturalistic Theories These focus on physiological causes, such as infections or organ dysfunctions. For instance, diseases may be linked to malfunctions within the body’s internal systems. Emotionalistic Theories Emotional distress can also manifest as physical ailments. Conditions like homesickness illustrate how emotional states can lead to health issues 7  Aetiology of diseases in TM Emotional- Disease or disturbance caused by strong feelings about something / some body, eg unjust ruling of a case, divorce. Psychogenic- psychological disturbances usually after chronic/ intense experience of pain eg unjust confiscation of properties Cosmological- Cause/s due to the influence of a body/bodies in the universe eg. moon position and lunatics Esoteric- causes not clear, diagnosed by only an initiated few, mode of diagnosis often varies with practitioner Spiritual-The action of evil spirits (due to failure to abide by the social rules/ lack of respect for the ancestors. Casting of spells by evil people (Reasons?) Contamination by objects considered taboo. Physical 8  Aetiology of diseases in TM The aetiology of diseases in traditional medicine reflects a complex interplay of spiritual, natural, and emotional factors. Understanding these diverse perspectives is crucial for integrating traditional practices with modern healthcare approaches, especially in regions where traditional beliefs remain prevalent. 9  Diseases in the African traditional view For the traditional African, health is not just about the proper functioning of bodily organs. Good health for the African consists of; Mental Physical Spiritual Emotional stability of oneself, family members, and community; this integrated view of health is based on the African unitary view of reality. Good health for the African is not a subjective affair. 10  Spiritual Causes In many African traditional belief systems, diseases are often attributed to spiritual factors. This includes: Evil Spirits and Witchcraft Illness is frequently seen as a result of malevolent forces or witchcraft. Individuals may believe that enemies or jealous acquaintances can cause harm through supernatural means. The concept of witchcraft is particularly significant, as it can explain various ailments that defy conventional medical treatment. Ancestral Punishment There is a belief that neglecting ancestral spirits can lead to illness. When ancestors are disrespected or forgotten, they may retaliate by inflicting diseases upon their descendants as a form of punishment. Rituals and offerings are often performed to appease these spirits. 11  Natural Causes Naturalistic explanations for disease causation are also recognized: Physical Factors Traditional medicine acknowledges diseases resulting from environmental influences such as infections or malfunctions within the body. This aligns with the germ theory found in modern medicine, where diseases are attributed to pathogens. Holistic Health Good health is viewed as a state of harmony with nature. Disruptions in this balance due to environmental factors can lead to illness. Treatments for natural illnesses typically involve herbal remedies and other natural substances. 12  Emotional Causes Emotional states are considered significant contributors to health and disease: Psychological Stress Intense emotional experiences, such as grief or anxiety, can manifest physically as illness. This emotionalistic theory posits that mental distress can lead to various health issues. For instance, "home sickness" may cause unease and physical symptoms when individuals are separated from their families. 13  Methods of Diagnosis The diagnosis of diseases in an African traditional healing system is a twofold event. Firstly, the organic or physical cause of the sickness has to be established by careful examination and questioning by the medicine man. Secondly, this is complementary to a divination of the spiritual or mystical cause for the illness. The following are some of the methodologies many traditional healers in Ghana have been using. Consulting the spirit world (divination): They consult the 'spirit world' to identify the cause of the disease or to discover whether there was a violation of an established order from the side of the sick person. This is established through the use of cowry shells, throwing of bones on strips of leather or flat pieces of wood. The divining bones are not strictly all bones but comprise shells, money, seeds, dice, etc. 14  Methods of Diagnosis Interviews and medical reports Diagnosis is by holistic approach Generally, TMPs try first to establish the “spiritual” cause of the ailment. Listen to the sick person or relatives, using divine techniques, Make contact with the spirits of the ancestors Identify what has destabilized the equilibrium of the person or the group and which evil forces are causing the sickness. 15  Some divine diagnostic techniques Incantation/chanting- Which may take the form of; Ritual music Spells Hymns etc. Throwing of cowries Throwing of split cola nuts ‘Tug pulling’ Psychography (many forms) technique for "channeling" written messages from spiritual source 16  Spiritism and Psychism  Spiritism:  Belief in the existence of spirits ie. non-physical entities that live in the invisible or spirit world, influencing the physical  Can communicate with the dead through media/emphasizing the spiritual nature of existence and existence after death  Scientifically: a science of relationship between ‘unseen’ (spirits) and human beings.  Communication between the spiritual world and the material world occur all the time  Some people sense what the spirits tell them (instinctively)  Others have greater awareness of their presence and even guidance  Awareness may be through listening, seeing, or writing (psychography) (Moses and the 10 command ments)  Invariably, spirits need appropriate media for physical effects. 17  Role of spiritism in TM  Enforces social order and cohesion  Promotes conservation eg of Nature  In health care-as alternative consultation medium  Negative? 18  Psychism in TM  Psychism: affecting or influenced by the human mind  Science affirms the hidden layers of the psychic structure of man  Dynamisms, determinisms, and mechanisms hidden in the depths of the soul, endowed with inherent laws whence are derived certain modes of acting.  These begin to operate within the subconscious/ unconscious, but they also penetrate into the realms of the conscious and determine it.  What constitutes man is principally the soul  In the soul are rooted all the psychic layers with their organic law.  From psychic flow all the activities of man  Simply put, what you do is what comes from your thinking 19  Role of Psychism in TM  Psychism principally channels the behaviour of a person Therefore; -assists in disease management esp. psychological disorders of individual - assists in ‘psychological disorders’ of a society... - has potential of deranging existing order. Note  Do not sheepishly accept everything you are told  We do have the power to govern and shape and create the course of our own lives 20 21