How I Fell in Love with African Traditional Medicine After Living in Benin and Togo

Before I ever stepped foot in West Africa, the idea of traditional African medicine seemed almost taboo to me. Like many Africans—especially those raised in urban centers or under strong Western influence—I grew up with a deep scepticism toward anything that wasn’t in a box, bottle, or pharmacy. 

Worse, traditional medicine was often associated in my mind with juju or superstition.

That mindset persisted until I moved to Benin.

The Day Everything Changed

I was feeling unwell. Nothing too dramatic, but just enough to make everyday life uncomfortable. I had taken modern drugs, as usual, but the symptoms wouldn’t go away. That’s when a friend of mine in Benin offered a different solution—one I never expected to take seriously.

He told me to stop the pills and assured me he would consult a traditional healer on my behalf. At first, I hesitated. I mean, what do you say when someone suggests trading in your modern meds for bark and leaves? But something in me said, “Why not? You’re already not getting better.”

So I gave it a try.

Herbs, Trees, and a New Perspective

My friend returned from the traditional doctor with a handful of herbs, roots, and pieces of tree bark. He showed me how to prepare them and followed the healer’s prescription to the letter. I did exactly as he said.

And you know what? I started feeling better. Not just a little better—stronger, clearer, and more energised than before.

That moment shifted something in me.

I, who once rejected traditional medicine without a second thought, had become not just a believer—but a fan.

The Real vs. The Fake

Let me be honest: one of the biggest issues with traditional African medicine today is the flood of fake practitioners. Charlatans line the streets, selling mysterious bottled concoctions claiming to cure everything from diabetes to heartbreak. They mix anything and everything, label it “miracle cure”, and sell it for a quick buck.

That’s not traditional medicine. That’s exploitation.

Real traditional healers—those with knowledge passed down through generations—are usually discreet. They don’t shout in markets. They don’t bottle up fake potions. They diagnose, prescribe, and often give you raw herbs to prepare at home. Their work is sacred, not commercial.

Unfortunately, their quiet approach means they are often overshadowed by the louder, flashier imposters.

My Advice to You

If you’ve been sceptical about traditional African medicine like I once was, I understand. It’s okay to question. But don’t let fear or misinformation keep you from discovering what might genuinely work for you.

If you ever decide to try it, make sure you go through the right channels. Seek out a trusted herbalist or healer—preferably someone referred to you by someone you trust. Avoid random street sellers and quick-fix bottles. The best traditional practitioners will give you herbs with clear instructions, not ready-made mixtures with vague promises.

A Journey of Rediscovery

Living between Benin and Togo has opened my eyes to the richness of African healing traditions. What I once saw as outdated and superstitious, I now see as wisdom—earthy, ancestral, and deeply rooted in the African soil.

Traditional medicine is not the enemy of modern medicine. It’s a part of our identity, our history, and our collective resilience.

Sometimes, the cure we need isn’t in a pill—it’s in a leaf, a root, a tree, or a tradition we’ve forgotten.