International Journal of History

Indeed, the history of civilizations teaches us that one of the first needs felt by our ancestors was the need to ensure their survival, the purpose of life being to prolong it, to reproduce and to postpone the expiry of the dead. So-called traditional African medicine is as old as the African societies which, from the outset, constituted, developed and transmitted it from generation to generation. This contribution seeks to answer the following questions: What is the anchoring of traditional medicine in the health care systems in Gabon? What is the level of integration of traditional therapeutic knowledge and practices in the Gabonese education system?

The results show that in Gabon, there are several diseases that are treated by traditional medicine, in particular: Aucoumea klaineana; Cassia occidentalis; Cassia occidentalis; Citrus limonum; Costus lucanusianus; Cyperus articulates; Enantia chlorantha; Euphorbia hirta; Irvinga gabonensis; Manihot esculenta; Milletia versicolor; Tetrapleura tetraptera and Vernonia amygdalina for the treatment of intestinal parasites. Adhatodalati bracteata; Enantia chlorentha; Gentiana lutea; Isolona campanulata; Staudtia gabonensis; Tetrapleura tetraptera; Uvaria versicolor and Vitex madiensis for the treatment of malaria and inflammation. Amaranthus rectrolexus; Rawolfia serpentine; Rawolfia serpentine; Solaneum anguivi for the treatment of high blood pressure. Sclerocarya birrea for the treatment of diabetes. Adansonia digital; Aucoumea klaineana; Crocos nucifera; Mangifera indica and Psidium guajava for the treatment of diarrhea. Acanthus montanus; Lantana camara; Lea guineensis and Palisota hirsute for the treatment of venereal diseases (syphilis and gonorrhea). Traditional knowledge of Gabonese medicine is acquired orally. The perception of medical students on traditional medicine comforts and pleads for its teaching in medical schools in Gabon.

Traditional medicine is a very important cultural element in the lives of the majority of Africans in general and Gabonese in particular. The integration of the teachings of traditional medicine into the current conventional training system is the only guarantee of the sustainability of endogenous practices and the improvement of African health systems in line with the deep perception of society. Africa would benefit from developing its knowledge in health care.