Integrating traditional healer's knowledge and ethnopharmacology with contemporary neurology in the epilepsies: A systematic review

Traditional healing is a comprehensive healthcare system that includes spiritual practices, divination, and herbal medicine. In many settings, epilepsy and its associated neuropsychiatric conditions are believed to have both natural and supernatural origins. Consequently, many individuals seek care through complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which can influence adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The call to integrate traditional healing into the formal healthcare system is a significant move toward enhancing patient safety and cultural relevance. However, this integration presents several challenges. A major concern is the epistemological gap between traditional and biomedical approaches, which can lead to distrust and miscommunication. Additionally, the lack of standardized training, certification, and regulatory oversight for traditional healers raises questions about safety and quality of care. Another concern involves the potential for adverse interactions between traditional remedies and conventional AEDs, which necessitates rigorous evaluation of natural products before clinical use. Addressing ethical considerations such as intellectual property rights and fair benefit-sharing is also essential to protect traditional knowledge and promote mutual respect. Despite these obstacles, examples of successful collaboration between traditional healers and medical practitioners do exist. In such cases, traditional practitioners have been integrated into healthcare frameworks with positive outcomes, including improved patient trust, increased access to care, and meaningful knowledge exchange.