Traditional medicine practices among the Yoruba people of Nigeria: a historical perspective

Abstract

Often times, people ask questions about the origin and development of traditional medicine among the Yoruba people. This paper attempts to unravel the historical development of Yoruba traditional medicine. Furthermore, the paper narrated the method of health care, diagnosis, treatment and specialization among the TMPs in the past centuries. The role of religious belief in traditional medicine was also explained, as well as magical and mystic practices in traditional medicine. While describing the introduction of orthodox medicine into Nigeria the paper highlighted the current patterns of modernization of traditional medicine and products, and ends with a note of the key areas that require Government’s attention in improving traditional medicine in Nigeria.