The indigenous and the modern meet in most interesting ways in the arena of medicinal plants and traditional healing. Ancient societies have relied on medicine from the earth while an increasing number of modern peoples are seeking the fruits and wisdom of Mother Earth to heal themselves.

Sadly, both the biodiversity of medicinal plant species and the indigenous cultures supporting the work of traditional healers are rapidly disappearing around the world. In Africa, where 70-80% of the population relies on traditional systems of medicine for its basic healthcare needs, indigenous cultures and rich ecosystems are increasingly threatened by industrialization, urbanization, and other aspects of social change.

In Tanzania, there is now renewed interest in traditional medicine that had been largely suppressed during the introduction of modern medicine. However, there is a long way to go towards establishing a solid infrastructure supporting safe use of traditional medicine while modernizing the system to include extensive documentation of uses, proper dosage levels, and effective plant conservation strategies.

Given that: 1) the price of modern medicine is out of reach for the majority of the population in Tanzania; 2) the superiority of some traditional healing practices over allopathic medicine in certain circumstances; and 3) the interest of non-indigenous communities in indigenous healing wisdom, Terrawatu has been engaged in medicinal plant research, cultivation of medicinal species in the region, and the development of traditional medicine clinics.