TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

According to WHO (World Health Organization), Traditional medicine refers to the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, used in the maintenance of health and in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

Traditional medicine is often termed alternative or complementary medicine in many countries. Herbal treatments are the most popular form of traditional medicine and 70% to 80% of the Region has used a form as primary health care.

One third of the population lacks access to essential medicines and the provision of safe and effective traditional and alternative remedies could become an important way of increasing access to health care services. For the Mattakeeset Tribe, traditional healing is a broad term that describes the many different healing traditions within the different belief systems of the Mattakeeset culture. Mattakeeset traditional healing has been used for thousands of years and dating back to Patience Paumatuck who was a medicine women of the Mattakeeset Massachsuet Indians.

As we mention our late great Pauwaus Patience, the Mattakeeset Tribe continues today to hold a special place for medicine people and elders . Many of our traditional healers are elders. They know the traditions and values of our community and serve as guides and teachers. Healing is seen as a journey, and there is as much focus on spiritual and emotional healing as there is on the physical parts of healing. For the Mattakeesets, health is seen as a balance and harmony within your mind, body and spirit, along with your community and environment. Illness or disease is caused by ignoring sacred, natural laws.