Medicine without borders - Director's Letter

Natural Health, Jan, 2004 by Barb Harris

Eighty percent of the world's population depends on what Americans refer to as alternative medicine, much of it originating in native environments. For example, in the tropical forests of American Samoa, the taulasea, or herbal healers (who are primarily women), typically know 200 species of plants and recognize 180 types of disease. "Almost every plant put to use by Western medicine was discovered by indigenous cultures," says Mark Plotkin, Ph.D., author of Medicine Quest. "Despite this, few of the world's tribal peoples have been the subject of comprehensive ethnomedical studies."

There's more to native medicine than botany. "Most indigenous healing practices recognize that spirit is part of everything--that we are connected to spirit and the earth and all living things," says Judith Sweet, N.P., assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing. "There is a focus on knowing yourself, as in the talking circle, where you tell your story to others. Such rituals also reinforce the importance of community, the support we can give and receive when we hold a space together. All these things can help us be healthier."

When an individual is sick, some communities gather to sing, dance or pray. According to Richard Katz, author of Boiling Energy, the Kung people in Africa's Kalahari Desert participate in ancient dancing rituals to generate a healing energy called num; they dance not just to heal the sick, but so all participants can gain knowledge and better health.

Westerners have assimilated the benefits of meditation, but what about talking circles or healing dances? Can we learn from different philosophies? In our Native Intelligence column, we feature healing from indigenous cultures as part of an overall model that blends Western, Eastern and native traditions. "Complementary medicine is the movement toward globalization of the field," says Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., co-founder of the Integrative Medicine Program at Columbia University in New York. "When we incorporate alternative approaches, our horizons are broadened and healing opportunities expanded."

Consider the concept presented by Katz: "I view healing as a process of transition toward meaning, balance, wholeness and connectedness, both within individuals and between individuals and their environments."

May your new year be rich with fresh perspectives for growth and well-being.