Bān Jhākarī
Meaning “forest shaman” in Tamang, Bān Jhākarī healers practice in remote areas, entering deep states of trance to communicate with the spirits of the forest. They diagnose illnesses and prescribe herbal treatments based on visions received in these altered states.
Barassa
Kogi healers, known as Mamos, practice Barassa, a form of spiritual healing that involves meditation, coca leaf reading, and offerings to Aluna (the cosmic spirit). Illness is seen as a disruption of cosmic harmony, and healing seeks to realign the individual with nature.
Batek Batin
Among the Orang Asli of Malaysia, Batek Batin refers to the practice of spiritual and herbal healing performed by shamans who invoke the forest spirits. These healers treat ailments by chanting and using herbs collected according to specific lunar phases.
Cupping
An ancient form of therapy where heated cups are placed on the skin to create suction, believed to stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
Curanderismo
Curanderismo is a holistic system of healing practiced by Indigenous and Mestizo communities, incorporating spiritual, physical, and herbal remedies. Curanderos use limpias (spiritual cleansings), herbal baths, and prayer rituals to restore harmony and balance in individuals affected by susto (fright), mal de ojo (evil eye), or emotional disturbances.
Curandero/Curandera
A traditional healer or shaman found in Latin American cultures, often using herbal medicine, spiritual healing, and rituals to treat physical, emotional, and spiritual illnesses.
Dangki Healing
Dangki healing involves spirit mediums who enter a trance to communicate with ancestors or spirits. They diagnose illnesses believed to be caused by soul loss or spirit interference. Treatment includes soul retrieval ceremonies and herbal baths.
Decoction
A method of extracting the active ingredients from plant materials by boiling them in water, often used in traditional herbal remedies to treat a wide range of conditions.
Dosha
In Ayurveda, doshas are the three primary energies or bodily humors (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) that govern physical and mental processes. Balance between these doshas is essential for good health.
Ekasaja
Ekasaja is a form of traditional medicine that combines herbal treatments with spiritual cleansing rituals. Baganda healers diagnose illnesses through divination and use plants believed to be imbued with healing spirits to create remedies.
