Kwashiorkor is one of the types of protein-energy malnutrition that once ravaged Africa.The disease is attributed to poverty because many African parents can not afford the amount required to buy adequate protein diets.As a result of this,many Africans including Nigerians have devised cultural ways of treating the disease.

1. Breadfruit:Breadfruit is very rich in protein.It may be very expensive in developed countries but in Africa,it is very cheap and affordable.There are many breadfruit trees in eastern Nigeria.The fruits are processed and sometimes cooked with the traditional 'Ogba' that is very rich in protein.This is a way devised by Africans to treat the ailment since majority of Africans can not afford the medical treatment.

2.Acupuncture: Generalised body edema especially abdominal edema is very common in kwashiorkor probably because of defective synthesis of albumin by the liver.In other to control the swelling,traditional doctors make incisions on the foots for easier egress of some of the accumulated fluids.This helps to reduce the degree and level of body edema.

3. Vegetables and fruits: Green vegetables such as ugu,water leaf and many others are always available in Nigeria.Also many fruits like orange,carrot,cashew and many others are very cheap in tropical Africa.The combinations of vegetables and fruits are African haematinics that serve as blood giving agents.They are employed in the control of anaemia in Kwashiorkor.

4. Herbs:Opportunistic infections are very common in Kwashiorkor due to weakened immune system.This leads to widespread infections.There are many herbs in Africa that are medicinal.This include pawpaw and its leaf,achara plant and its leaf,the roots of cucumber and many others.African herbalists extract the useful chemicals in these plants and use them to treat the infections.

Source: http://kcblow..com/2015/07/four-cultural-ways-used-by-africans-to.html

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