Episode 12:

Research and Remedies: Africa’s History of Health and Healing

Africa has long been associated with disease and illness, at the expense of widespread recognition of the continent’s history with healing and medicine. Reports of malaria, yellow fever, ebola, and HIV from travelers, colonial personnel, and contemporary media have long eclipsed an understanding of the continent’s contributions to health and science from its herbal pharmacopeia through 21st century laboratory research. In this episode, we examine the associations with Africa and disease while also recognizing the innovations that are owed to the continent.

Guest Bios

Karen Flint

Karen Flint is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of North Carolina Charlotte and the author of Healing Traditions: African Medicine, Cultural Exchange, and Competition in South Africa, 1820-1948.

Breeanna Elliott

Breeanna Elliott is a doctoral student in the History of Science and Medicine Program in the Department of History at Yale University.

Free Resources and Featured Books

Episode Acknowledgements

Thanks to Endy Ezeluomba and Hannah Cohen for sharing their insights and expertise.

Thanks to Nico Rivers for audio editing, mixing and mastering this episode.

Special thanks to the Boston University Africa Studies Center and the Teaching Africa Outreach Program for collaborating and providing support for this podcast.

Image Credits

“Young African Doctor” by JacobOcenFay, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo of Karen Flint provided by the UNC Charlotte website.

Featured Music

  • 3rd Chair by Blue Dot Sessions, from the album Lathe, under CC BY-NC 4.0. This track has been excerpted and overlaid with narrative.

  • Cab Ride by Blue Dot Sessions, from the album Pacha Faro, under CC BY-NC 4.0. This track has been excerpted and overlaid with narrative.

  • Curio by Blue Dot Sessions, from the album Vacant Distillery, under CC BY-NC 4.0. This track has been excerpted and overlaid with narrative.

  • Periodicals by Blue Dot Sessions, from the album Albany, NY, under CC BY-NC 4.0. This track has been excerpted and overlaid with narrative.

  • “Rate Sheet by Blue Dot Sessions, from the album Union Hall, under CC BY-NC 4.0. This track has been excerpted and overlaid with narrative.

  • Well Water by Blue Dot Sessions, from the album The Bulwark, under CC BY-NC 4.0. This track has been excerpted and overlaid with narrative.

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