African Traditional Treatment of Epilepsy

By Chinedu Akpa. B. Pharm. Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by: A. Odutola, MB.BS. PhD. FRCSEd.

African traditional medicine: Seeds, flowers, plants, and oil for preparation in a mortar with pestle.

Highlights

• African traditional medicine has played key roles in bridging healthcare gaps on the continent.

• Epilepsy is a disease that affects the brain cells.

• In Africa, herbal remedies and other traditional methods have long been used to treat epilepsy, but there are limited studies to support their use. 

What is Epilepsy? 

Epilepsy is a chronic nerve disorder that is characterised by recurrent unprovoked seizures. It results from an imbalance between special chemicals called neurotransmitters that brain cells use to communicate with each other. These include glutamate (which excites nerve cells) and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), which block signals in the brain. One or both of the two sides of the brain may be affected by epilepsy seizures. 

Epilepsy affects all races, age groups, and sex. It is characterised by symptoms such as:

• Altered awareness
• Stiffening of the muscles
• Jerking movements
• Nausea
• Unusual smell, taste, and sound
• Confusion or disorientation
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Temporary memory loss
• Episodes of staring or unresponsiveness

Approximately one-third of the 10 million people with epilepsy in Africa typically turn to traditional healing methods before seeking medical attention, even in cases where access to medical care is available. [1] 

Related: Epilepsy in Africa: Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The Role of Traditional Medicine in African Culture

Before the emergence of modern medicine, Africans have always found ways to take care of their medical needs. Even with the availability of modern medicine, many Africans still hold firmly to their old ways of treating illnesses.

This firm belief in traditional medication is founded on the following perceived benefits:

• It is an alternative for people who find western medicine too expensive.

• Access to traditional care is local and available within the community; whereas access to hospital medicine often involves expensive and sometimes long distance transportation.

• Traditional medicine bridges the gap caused by shortage of qualified medical staff and supplies that is common in the modern health system.

• Since traditional healers frequently reside in local communities and employ well-known products, people more often trust them.

These perceived benefits could be the reason why about 80% of Africans depend on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare. [2] Additionally, the high reliance on traditional medicine may be due to the widespread belief in Sub-Saharan Africa that many diseases, including epilepsy, have supernatural causes. 

Finally, the fact that almost 30% of patients who take anti-epileptic drugs still experience seizures may be another factor that causes many to doubt the worth of anti-seizure medications and go for traditional care. [3]

Read on to discover more about traditional African herbs used in treating epilepsy.

African Herbs for the Treatment of Epilepsy

On the African continent, epilepsy has been treated with nearly forty-three plants. [2] Among these, the most common (see figure 1) are:

Fig. 1: Common African herbs used to treat epilepsy

• Acanthus montanus: This is a plant that is widely distributed in Africa and other continents such as Asia, Europe, and America. The name Acanthus is derived from a Greek word “Acantha” which means thorn or thistle, referring to the thorny leaves of some specie. It is widely used for its anti-epileptic, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties.

• Alchornea laxiflora: It's a plant that is grown in Africa. The stem, leaves, and roots have been used in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and South Africa to treat illnesses such as epilepsy, inflammation, and anxiety. Some local names of Alchornea laxiflora are “Ububo” and “Iyapepe” among the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups of Nigeria. Afrikaans refer to it as “Vendakralesnoer” while the Tshivenda ethnic group of South Africa refer to it as “Murunda Malofha”.

• Hyptis spicigera: It is native to Brazil and commonly used in the treatment of inflammation, ulcer, and it also has antipyretic properties.

• Voacanga africana: It's a plant native to Africa. Its seeds and bark have been found to be useful in treating convulsions, kidney stones, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and malaria.

• Piliostigma reticulatum: It is widely distributed across Africa. Commonly used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, and agitation. Furthermore, its leaves have been shown to possess antimicrobial properties, which is why Sudanese people used them to treat wounds. 

Animal studies using these herbs have shown that all of them have some degree of anticonvulsant activities with Hyptis spicigera being the most effective. [3]

Another herb used in Africa is Ficus platyphylla, mostly used in the Northern part of Nigeria. The plant was found to be effective against seizures in certain scientific models, but ineffective in others, according to a recent study that used these models. [3] Additionally, a toxicity test was done using rats and found it to be non-toxic, thereby making it a potential anti-epileptic medication.

Recommendations for the use of these herbal plants in humans are limited because the majority of the data and studies were conducted on animals. Therefore, more research is advised to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of these plants in treating epilepsy. 

Roles of African Traditional Healers in Managing Epilepsy

Many Africans who live in rural communities tend to visit traditional healers first before exploring alternatives.

Traditional healers in some African countries believe that the ancestral spirit will guide their diagnosis and course of treatment of ailments. For example, Namibian traditional healers typically believe that they are led by supernatural forces to determine the reason behind a patient's ailment. [1]

While in Mali they treat patients using magic, plants, and spirits. Other techniques used are herbal births, burning animal dung, blowing air, communicating with spirits and portraits, offering animal sacrifices, and wearing protective amulets. [1]

A South African traditional healer (Sangoma) seated on the floor and practicing the art of divination. Credit.

The following were found in a South African study that used questionnaires to interview 20 traditional healers about how they approach diagnosis and treatment: [1]

• Traditional healers in South Africa use observations to diagnose.

• Some use bone for diagnosis as they believe that the ancestors of the patient with epilepsy communicate to the healer through the bone.

• Traditional healers also diagnose epilepsy by listening to the relatives of those affected or patients during history taking.

• During treatment, some traditional healers use nails, underarm, and pubic hair from those living with epilepsy. These items are burned with herbs and inhaled to bring about a cure.

• Other healers use flies as it is believed that flies have epileptic seizures when they lie on their back, hence their use to manage the disease.

• Urine, water, and blood are also used to manage epilepsy according to this study. 

According to the results of this study and observations made throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, traditional healers rely on their beliefs, practices, myths, and observational knowledge regarding epilepsy in order to treat the condition. 

Challenges of African Traditional Treatments

While some of the herbs and other traditional methods have shown promise in the management of epilepsy, the following challenges are evident and worthy of further attention:

• Human trials are required, as the majority of the experiments were conducted on animals.

• Some of the practices lack scientific support.

• Herbal dosages are not standardised.

• The lack of experimental trials in humans raises the possibility of toxicity. 

• The lack of standardized methods for preparing herbs typically results in varying outcomes. 

Africans should exercise caution because over reliance on these traditional methods has caused many people to put off seeking medical attention, worsening their conditions and causing harm and even death.

Conclusion

African traditional medicine has played a significant role in the management of epilepsy, particularly in bridging healthcare gaps in underserved communities. Herbal remedies and the practices of traditional healers offer alternative approaches that are culturally trusted and affordable. However, the lack of standardized dosages, human trials, and scientific validation of many methods highlights the need for caution. To maximize the potential of these treatments, further research is essential to ensure their safety, efficacy, and integration into comprehensive epilepsy care.

References

1. Nemathaga M, Maputle MS, Makhado L, Mashau NS. Diagnosis of Epilepsy by Traditional Healers and Its Implications on Management in the Selected Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces: A Qualitative Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2023 Apr 18;19:973-983. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S392479. Available from here

2. Muazu J, Kaita AH. A review of traditional plants used in the treatment of epilepsy amongst the Hausa/Fulani tribes of northern Nigeria. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2008 Jun 18;5(4):387-90. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v5i4.31294. Available from here

3. Liu W, Ge T, Pan Z, Leng Y, Lv J, Li B. The effects of herbal medicine on epilepsy. Oncotarget. 2017 Jul 18;8(29):48385-48397. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.16801. Available from here

Related: 

First Aid for Epilepsy: Essential Life Saving Tips for Africans

Epilepsy in Africa: Common Myths and Misconceptions

Epilepsy in Africa: Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Published: December 16, 2024

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