Native American medicine |
|
Indian tribes of North America have been practicing their methods of treatment, according to some sources, for more than 40,000 years.
Medical information and techniques are passed from generation to generation, thereby ensuring the longevity of practices.
Some medications are typical from tribe to tribe, although all tribal medicine is collectively called Indigenous American medicine.
While Native American medicine was practiced in North America, at the same time Chinese medicine and Ayurveda were practiced on the other side of the world.
It is fascinating that all of these traditional medical practices are based on the same basic belief, which is that the human health is associated with the laws of nature.
All of them are also focused on restoring energy balance which, if achieved, brings health and happiness.
Native Americans believe that man is one with nature, that natural elements provide the power and that they can cure disease.
Native American medicine combines religion, spirituality, healing herbs and rituals that aim on relieving the patient's illness and emotional problems.
There are many differences in rituals and beliefs between the tribes. Most sacred traditions are still held in secret and are passed on from one healer to another.
Indigenous American medicine does not cure the disease, it cures the patient. Traditional healers seek to restore the patient's natural balance and harmony in their relations with society and the Lord.
It is believed that all living beings on this planet are interconnected and that every person, animal and plant has a soul.
According to Native American culture, all objects in nature have a soul - such as rivers, mountains, and the land itself.
American Indians believe that the cause of all diseases is lack of spirituality. It is believed that the disease is more likely to attack a person who is imbalanced, negative and living an unhealthy life.
Healers are trying to find balance and wholeness within the patient, and help the patient restore his or her health and spirituality.
Purification of the patient's mind and body is a very important aspects of the Native American medicine. Traditional saunas with stones heated in the fire and special teas which cause vomiting have been used for this purpose.
In order to purify the atmosphere and the awareness of the patient, healers have used the smoke of sacred plants.
Thus, they remove the negative energy and create a special state of consciousness in which the patient is open to healing.
Believing that evil spirits are a common cause of illness, healers conjure good spirits that help cure a sick person.
Such ceremonies include special rituals, mantras, singing, dancing and drawings in the sand, which are used to convince the spirits to help the sick person.
Such rituals could take hours, or even weeks. Prayer is another of the most important techniques of treatment among the American Indians.
Liked the article?
Share it with your friends!
