Healing Roots: Anthropology in Life and Medicine (Epistemologies of Healing, 15)

__Umhlonyane__, also known as __Artemisia afra__, is one of the oldest and best-documented indigenous medicines in South Africa. This bush, which grows wild throughout the sub-Saharan region, smells and tastes like “medicine,” thus easily making its way into people’s lives and becoming the choice of everyday healing for Xhosa healer-diviners and Rastafarian herbalists. This “natural” remedy has recently sparked curiosity as scientists search for new molecules against a tuberculosis pandemic while hoping to recognize indigenous medicine. Laplante follows __umhlonyane__ on its trails and trials of becoming a biopharmaceutical — from the “open air” to controlled environments — learning from the plant and from the people who use it with hopes in healing. Subject: "Umhlonyane, also known as Artemisia afra, is one of the oldest and best-documented indigenous medicines in South Africa. This bush, which grows wild throughout the sub-Saharan region, smells and tastes like "medicine," thus easily making its way into people's lives and becoming the choice of everyday healing for Xhosa healer-diviners and Rastafarian herbalists. This 'natural' remedy has recently sparked curiosity as scientists search for new molecules against a tuberculosis pandemic while hoping to recognize indigenous medicine. Laplante follows umhlonyane on its trails and trials of becoming a biopharmaceutical -- from the "open air" to controlled environments -- learning from the plant and from the people who use it with hopes in healing."--Provided by publisher Contents Illustrations Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction Tracing the Preclinical Trial of an Indigenous Plant Chapter 1 Knowing Umhlonyane/ Artemisia afra Chapter 2 Engaging in Medicine Chapter 3 Tracing Medicine Wayfaring Chapter 4 Imagining Indigeneity Chapter 5 Healing the Nation Chapter 6 Dreams, Ancestors and Sound Healing Chapter 7 Weaving Molecules with Life Conclusion Imagining the Clinical Trial References Index