Folk Wisdom and Mother Wit: John Lee--An African American Herbal Healer

This book combines historical biography with a focus on the role of the practitioner in the folk health-care system, and ethnobotany, including a description of the active ingredients of the herbs used in African American herbal medicine. The contributions of European Colonial, American Indian, and African practices to the development of contemporary African American folk medicine are discussed. In addition to showing John Lee's approach to folk medicine, the volume provides descriptions and illustrations of the main herbs used. Folk Wisdom and Mother Wit provides a basic historical framework and background to the continuing viability of a folk medical system based on a pluralism combining biomedicine and traditional health care. As such, it will be of value to scholars and students of medical anthropology as well as Black Studies.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [161]-167) and index.

ARVILLA PAYNE-JACKSON is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropolgy at Howard University.JOHN LEE is a well-known herbalist, who practices in North Carolina and lectures widely.

Foreword

Introduction

Historical Overview of African American Folk Medicine

Becoming an Herbalist

Diagnostic System

Classification of Materia Medica and Illustrations

Herbal Repertoire

Appendix

References

Index