A shaman is a type of medicine man that is said to cure diseases and small sicknesses by meditation and magic. These kinds of people are regarded with respect and are found especially in tribal cultures. Medicine men and their families hold ceremonies to heal the injured and sick.
A Jivaro Tribe Shaman is shown here.
Amazonian Indians or Shamans, believed that diseases were caused by evil spirits. The magical procedures were performed by those supposed to have the power to control spirit forces.
Some treatments included the use of herbs and roots as medicines. They used a large variety of medicines, potions, oils, and herbs. Some of the medicines they used and still use today are:
Flor da terra- You make it into a juicy substance and drink it to cure dysentery.
Ipecacuanha- When you have eaten something poisonous take this medicine and it will make you vomit.
Cinchona- it is a cure for Malaria.
O-me-na- eating the roots will make you sick, but when you burn it and rub it on you burn it will ease the pain and heal it faster.
Shamans are important to the people of the Amazon because of their medicines and healing methods. Shamans are not as common as they used to be, but can still be seen holding ceremonies for the sick.
If there weren't any Shamans living in the Amazon, Amazonians would be left to find cures for sicknesses and diseases.
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