It’s interesting to see what collaborations between western institutions (like universities) and traditional enterprises can build together. One such collaboration I came across was the New Zealand organization Titoki which is an educational service bringing interested parties information about traditional Maori medicines. Through workshops facilitated by a University employed education officer and a Maori herbalist, participants can learn to understand and use traditional medicines.
I’d certainly be interested in finding ways to integrate workshops like these into the undergraduate medical curriculum and perhaps into pharmacy curriculums, given their significance to some Indigenous groups. Having a knowledge of the utility and spiritual nature of some of these medicines will help physicians respect and understand how and why their patients are using non-Western medicines during treatment.