Herbalism, or the study and use of plants for medicinal and healing purposes, has a long and rich history in many cultures around the world. For African Americans, this history is intertwined with the legacy of slavery and the ways in which plant knowledge was passed down through generations of enslaved people.
During slavery, African Americans were forced to work on plantations where they learned about the medicinal properties of the plants they were cultivating. They used this knowledge to treat their own illnesses and injuries, as well as those of their fellow enslaved people. This knowledge was passed down through oral tradition and shared within their communities, creating a rich tradition of African American herbalism.
Herbal History
One of the most famous examples of African American herbalism is the use of sassafras root as a medicinal tea. Enslaved people in the American South used this tea as a blood purifier and tonic, and it was also believed to have aphrodisiac properties. Today, sassafras is still used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including arthritis and skin problems.
Other plants commonly used in African American herbalism include elderberry, which is used to boost the immune system and treat respiratory infections, and dandelion, which is used as a diuretic and to treat digestive problems. These plants, and many others, have been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments.
Despite the important role that African American herbalism played in the lives of enslaved people, this knowledge was not always valued by the wider medical community. In fact, many of the remedies and practices developed by African Americans were dismissed as “folk medicine” or “superstition.” This dismissal of African American herbalism contributed to a broader pattern of erasing the contributions of people of color from the history of medicine and science.
Today, there is a growing movement to reclaim and celebrate the history of African American herbalism. This movement is led by a new generation of herbalists who are dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional knowledge and practices of their ancestors. By doing so, they are not only honoring the legacy of those who came before them, but also helping to create a more inclusive and diverse future for herbalism and medicine as a whole.
In conclusion, African American herbalism is a rich and important tradition that has been passed down through generations of enslaved people. Despite facing many challenges and obstacles, African Americans continued to cultivate their knowledge of plant medicine and healing, creating a legacy that is still alive today. By learning about and honoring this tradition, we can gain a deeper understanding of the power of plants and the resilience of the human spirit.
Column 61 of the Ebers Medical Papyrus, New Kingdom, Eighteenth Dynasty, c. 1550 BC. The Ebers Papyrus contains roughly 900 medical prescriptions and diagnoses, written in a cursive form of hieroglyphs called hieratic. This excerpt, Column 61, outlines methods for treating the eyes, particularly “opening the sight”: to improve vision, the text suggests spreading an herbal drug mixture on the eyelids. Photo courtesy of Photo Researchers / Alamy Stock Photo.
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Traditions and Plants of Select African Countries
Egypt, also known as Khemet, is probably one of the most well-known of the 54 countries in Africa. The herbal traditions there span thousands of years and are exemplified in the 3,500-year-old Ebers Papyrus which contains hundreds of herbal remedies.1 The traditions of this area went on to influence famous and foundational Greek and Roman healers like Dioscorides, Galen, Hippocrates, and Pliny as well as being influenced themselves by the traditions of Asia and the Middle East.
Ethiopia, also known as Abyssinia, is another East African country full of rich traditions spanning millennia. It is the original source of plants like coffee (Coffea spp.) and, along with neighboring countries, botanicals like frankincense (Boswellia sacra), khat (Catha edulis), and myrrh (Commiphora spp.).
South Africa is a wonderland of plant diversity with thousands of species that only grow there and nowhere else on Earth! The San Bushmen are one well-known group that have been studied for their herbal practices, which stem back in an unbroken chain over millennia. Many of our favorite houseplants and choice ornamentals come from this area. One major plant of commerce is rooibos (Aspalanthus linearis).
Madagascar is one of the largest islands on our planet. It is another place in the world where thousands of endemic plants live—and nowhere else. One famous medicinal is the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), which is commercially used to fight cancer.2 Though vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) is native to Mexico, much of what is grown for world distribution is hand-pollinated and cultivated in Madagascar.
These are just a few examples among many of the rich botanical and cultural traditions that are contained within the continent of Africa.
The Slave Trade
West Africa is comprised of many small countries like Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo along the northwestern coast bordered by the much larger Mauritania and Nigeria, as well as several larger countries in the interior like Algeria, Mali, and Niger. From this coastal area, many of the enslaved peoples of Africa were brought to the Americas. The British, Danish, Dutch, French, and Portuguese were the major European slave traders. The Portuguese, in particular, also had a focused slave trade in the southeastern coastal areas of what is now called Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gabon.
The scale of the slave trade was staggering. Over 11 million people in chains were brought to the Americas over the course of 350 years. Of that total, at least 1 million were brought to North America. Many ethnic groups comprised the waves of people transported in bondage to the American shores. Some cultural groups include the Akan, Bamileke, Bantu, Chamba, Ewe, Fulani, Ga, Hausa, Ibo/Igbo, Jola, Kru, Mande/Mandinka, Mbundu, Wolof, and Yoruba, among many more.3
Though many tend to think of slavery as historic, it is important to understand that millions of children in places like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in particular still work in close to slave-like conditions in the chocolate, or cacao (Theobroma cacao), industry. Though cacao is originally native to the Americas, most of it is now cultivated in Africa. The fact that chocolate derived from the exploitation of child labor is used in some of our most important rituals—Easter, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day—is truly appalling. One person’s pleasure is thus directly at the expense of a child’s pain. Ignorance is often bliss in regards to tough subjects like this one. However, I cannot write an article like this without helping to remove such obliviousness for the sake of those children and so many other exploited agricultural workers often of Black and brown coloration all over the world. Buying fairtrade organic chocolate is one alternative to enjoying a treat with a freer conscience about its world-wide effects.
Spiritual Traditions in the Diaspora
In the rich tapestry of global cultures, the diaspora communities hold a unique place, bridging ancestral lands with new environments. As individuals from these communities navigate their lives in different parts of the world, they often turn to spiritual traditions as a means to connect with their roots, maintain their identity, and foster a sense of belonging. This blog explores the resilience of these traditions and their transformative role in the lives of diaspora communities.
Rekindling Ancestral Wisdom
For many in the diaspora, spiritual practices are a lifeline to their ancestral past. These practices, whether they are African Ifa, Caribbean Santería, or South American Shamanism, serve not only as personal spiritual guidance but also as a communal thread that stitches together stories of migration, survival, and adaptation. These traditions offer more than just religious rituals; they are a profound source of wisdom, healing, and resilience that has been carried through generations.
Spiritual Practices as Cultural Preservation
In the heart of diaspora communities, spiritual traditions act as vital instruments of cultural preservation. They maintain the language, rituals, and customs that might otherwise be lost in assimilation. Festivals, dance, music, and religious ceremonies become vibrant expressions of cultural identity, celebrated with pride and joy. These gatherings are not only spiritual but also social events, strengthening community bonds and reinforcing a shared heritage.
The Role of Spirituality in Everyday Life
For many, spirituality is woven into the fabric of daily life, influencing decisions, life events, and social interactions. Spiritual advisors and leaders play crucial roles, offering guidance in both mundane and significant life decisions. The practice of these traditions provides a framework for understanding the world and one’s place within it, often leading to a more harmonious life aligned with the cycles of nature and community welfare.
Adaptation and Innovation
As diaspora communities evolve, so too do their spiritual practices. This adaptation is a testament to the fluid nature of spiritual traditions, reflecting changes in societal norms and technological advancements. Younger generations blend traditional beliefs with modern practices, creating dynamic, evolving spiritual landscapes that are both a nod to the past and a step towards the future.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the diaspora brings opportunities to spread and enrich spiritual traditions, it also presents challenges such as misrepresentation, commercialization, and dilution of practices. However, these challenges are met with innovative solutions—educational programs, community workshops, and the use of digital media to teach, preserve, and celebrate these rich traditions authentically.
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Plant Material from Africa
The African continent is incredibly diverse and home to thousands of native grains, roots, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.4–7 Many foods and medicines from this cornucopia of plants have become cornerstones of international commerce. Many more likely have the potential for further research and popularization. When one of my mentors, Frank Cook, wrote his Master’s thesis, one of his findings was that African herbalism was one of the least understood and most undervalued of the various continental traditions according to his respondents from Europe and North America.8
The anthropologist Judith Carney has detailed the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) transfer of plants from Africa to the Americas and vice versa rather thoroughly.9 Some of these findings are distilled in the following and separated into categories. Fruits and vegetables of African origin that have become staples in the Americas include black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), senna (Cassia spp.), sesame (Sesamum indicum), sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Some more specifically medicinal or food-as-medicine plants include aloe (Aloe spp.) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia).