Hausa Traditional Medicine
The Hausa people's Boka healers maintain one of West Africa's most systematised oral pharmacopoeias, using baobab, desert date, neem, and tamarind in precise formulas for body and spirit.
Nigeria, Niger & West Africa
History & Philosophy
Origins
Hausa traditional medicine developed among the Hausa people of Nigeria and Niger, shaped by centuries of trans-Saharan trade that connected West Africa to North African and Middle Eastern plant knowledge and goods.
Core philosophy
Hausa boka healers maintain what's considered one of West Africa's most systematized oral pharmacopoeias — precise, well-documented formulas rather than loosely improvised remedies, passed down through structured apprenticeship.
Practiced today
Baobab, desert date, neem, and tamarind remain everyday medicinal staples across Hausa communities, with boka healers continuing to practice actively alongside modern healthcare in Nigeria and Niger.
Herbs, foods & remedies
96 herbs traditionally used within Hausa Traditional Medicine — most often for Fever, Digestive Issues, Wound Healing.
Abrus (Iyar Yanka)
Abrus precatorius
Acacia Albida (Gadabiu)
Faidherbia albida
Acacia Nilotica (Bagaruwa)
Vachellia nilotica
Adansonia Digitata Leaf
Adansonia digitata
African Kino (Madobi)
Pterocarpus erinaceus
African Locust Bean (Dawadawa)
Parkia biglobosa
Afzelia (Kawo)
Afzelia africana
Aloe (Gabanin)
Aloe vera
Andira (Tsaura)
Andira inermis
Annobon (Baushe)
Annona senegalensis
Aristolochia (Dan Gida)
Aristolochia albida
Baobab (Kuka)
Adansonia digitata
Bitter Leaf (Shuwaka)
Vernonia amygdalina
Black Cumin (Habba Sauda)
Nigella sativa
Bombax (Rimi)
Bombax costatum
Boscia (Boji)
Boscia senegalensis
Burkea (Gamji)
Burkea africana
Calotropis (Tumfafiya)
Calotropis procera
Cassia (Kanwa Leaf)
Cassia nigricans
Cassia Arereh (Ganuwa)
Cassia arereh
Cassia Obtusifolia (Tafasa)
Senna obtusifolia
Cassia Sieberiana (Kolo)
Cassia sieberiana
Cassytha (Kadauriya)
Cassytha filiformis
Celtis Integrifolia (Maibere)
Celtis integrifolia
Chrysanthellum (Kokobi)
Chrysanthellum americanum
Chrysobalanus (Gao)
Chrysobalanus icaco
Cissus (Kankana)
Cissus populnea
Combretum (Madobiya)
Combretum micranthum
Corchorus (Rama)
Corchorus olitorius
Costus (Kayyar Miji)
Costus spectabilis
Cowpea (Wake)
Vigna unguiculata
Crossopteryx (Ganyage)
Crossopteryx febrifuga
Daniellia (Maje)
Daniellia oliveri
Datura (Zakami)
Datura metel
Desert Date (Gawo)
Balanites aegyptiaca
Detarium (Taura)
Detarium microcarpum
Detarium Senegalense (Tamba)
Detarium senegalense
Entada (Dunduniyya)
Entada africana
Euphorbia Balsamifera (Kumbura)
Euphorbia balsamifera
Faidherbia (Gabaruwa)
Faidherbia albida
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