Medical herbalism in Malawi.

Medical herbalism is the most widespread and the most ancient form of medicine. This paper offers an account of medical herbalism in Malawi, and discusses the role of medicines - both plant and animal substances - in the social life of the matrilineal peoples of Malawi. It aims to counter the widespread tendency to interpret medical practices in Africa solely in terms of a spiritual or religious metaphysic. After critiquing some early approaches to African medicine, the paper discusses the nature and role of medicines in Malawi, the main forms of therapy, and the relation of medicine to the ancestral shrines.