{"id":1185,"date":"2021-01-27T08:57:08","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T21:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/?p=1185"},"modified":"2021-01-18T12:15:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-18T01:15:05","slug":"bush-medicine-aboriginal-healing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/bush-medicine-aboriginal-healing","title":{"rendered":"Bush medicine: Aboriginal healing, holistic practices and psychic surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

For 60,000 years, Indigenous Australians<\/a>\u00a0learnt from their beloved land. Trials taught them tonics from toxins and ancestors shared sacred skills. Now, despite incredible hardships, Indigenous healers are helping us to understand and appreciate this lucky land\u2019s healing heritage.<\/p>\n

Daintree dreamtime<\/h2>\n

We\u2019re standing in the cradle of civilisation, absorbing the invigorating air and soothing sounds. Stepping softly on the ancient rainforest soil beside a sparkling gorge, green-tinged sun rays stream through the lush canopy. \u201cCareful, this is poison,\u201d warns Harold \u201cWawabuja\u201d Tayley, or Mooks to his mates.<\/p>\n

As Mooks tells it, the rainforest is rife with curses and cures. The heart-leafed stinging tree or Gympie-Gympie has both: \u201cFine hairs can sting the skin for two months but the root juice relieves it.\u201d During the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks organised by Mossman Gorge Centre, this amiable Aboriginal man shares survival tips from his local Kuku Yalanji tribe. The 135 million-year-old World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest has rich resources with up to 30,000 flora and fauna species per hectare. \u201cThe rainforest is like a pharmacy, supermarket and university,\u201d beams Mooks proudly. His ancestral land gives him shelter, sustenance and spiritual strength.<\/p>\n

The walkabout started around a sacred smoking fire to help us \u201cgo from here with good spirit\u201d, assured Mooks. He showed us the stone used to crack yellow walnut seeds for flour, the clam shell for cutting, the clay eaten to strengthen bones, the tasty pandanus fruit, sap used for cuts and green ants for box jellyfish stings, as well as how to hit the red cedar buttress to alert others when you\u2019re lost. You can survive in the rainforest with three essential items, Mooks says: a spear, firestick and water. He\u2019s grateful that his shaman grandfather selected him from 10 siblings to learn traditional healing.<\/p>\n

From ages seven to 17, Mooks studied tracking and healing. Now, he humbly imparts his encyclopaedic knowledge to the public while offering private healing sessions. As with many Aboriginal healers, his methods are secret and sacred to his specific lineage. He hopes, however, to pass on his invaluable inheritance to the next generation.<\/p>\n

Original physicians<\/h2>\n

Aboriginal holistic healers balance the body, mind and spirit through traditional techniques. Relatives usually recognise their natural gifts from a tender age. Known as clever people, the healers are called Ngangkari in the Western Desert, Marrnggitj in northeast Arnhem Land, Garraaji around Sydney and Yura urngi in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia. These divine doctors diagnose and treat complaints and advise ways to wellness; they may be men, women or children. \u201cNgangkari were responsible for the spiritual wellbeing and health of the whole community \u2014 the whole family,\u201d says Ngangkari Toby Minyintiri Baker.<\/p>\n

Coach and healer Sue Gregory works closely with Indigenous healers and has observed them assist with abuse, mental illness, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and broken bones. Gregory has also facilitated non-Indigenous Australians to connect with Indigenous healers to \u201cmake amends and address the psychic wounds from Australia\u2019s history of Aboriginal genocide\u201d.<\/p>\n

This scar runs deeply through Tasmania. Sheldon Thomas, director of Trowunna Tours, is Tasmania\u2019s first Aboriginal healer in 228 years. Thomas uses visions to diagnose and then smoking ceremonies, counselling, healing songs and homemade Rrala Rub to heal. Drawing from a deep connection with Mother Earth, he encourages others to appreciate her: \u201cWe\u2019re all earth\u2019s children, all part of her; we need to understand and respect her. Just say thank you to Mother Earth \u2014 she wants to feel that love.\u201d Thomas also shares Aboriginal practices through school programs.<\/p>\n

Subtle perception<\/h2>\n

Indigenous doctors often obtain a diagnosis during dreamtime trances. Their sensitivity to supernatural forces allows them to access deeper dimensions through spirits, animals and the elements. Aboriginal people believe there are natural and supernatural causes of disease. Serious illness or accidents may be attributed to sorcery or spirits.<\/p>\n

\u201cConnecting to spirit has to do a lot with deep listening,\u201d Aboriginal medicine woman Anne Warren explains. \u201cSpirit comes in through dreams, visions, signs and symbols in our daily lives. It\u2019s about listening to everything, acknowledging the interconnectedness between yourself and every living thing.\u201d Aligned with higher forces, the healer becomes a conduit for healing. Irrespective of the illness, the treatment is tailored to the individual \u2014 there isn\u2019t a \u201cone cure for all\u201d approach. Modalities may employ art, counselling, charms, chants, stories, dance, herbs, massage, music, meditation, rituals, sucking, psychic surgery and energy healing.<\/p>\n

Traditions today<\/h2>\n

Aboriginal healing is an aural tradition of songlines with sparse written records. Though much Indigenous information was erased during the assimilation assassinations, there are moves to preserve healing practices before they\u2019re lost. \u201cAustralians tend to revere Native American or Mayan healing, forgetting that the oldest living culture is on their doorstep,\u201d says Sue Gregory.<\/p>\n

Indigenous Australians have an impressive pharmacopoeia of plants and their applications, which we\u2019re only beginning to explore. At the forefront is Indigenous ethnobotanist Gerry Turpin of James Cook University\u2019s Australian Tropical Herbarium in Cairns. Turpin is researching and recording herbal wisdom for future use. He\u2019s validating traditional plants\u2019 therapeutic properties through scientific testing in a team effort between healers from the Mbarrum people and the University of Western Sydney\u2019s National Institute of Complementary Medicine.<\/p>\n

Someone who shares Turpin\u2019s passion for restoring traditional knowledge is Indigenous microbiologist, Dr Shane Ingrey. In liaison with Aboriginal elders, Ingrey has isolated five natural antibiotics from traditional plants and hopes to discover more antiviral and antibacterial agents to overcome ailments.<\/p>\n

Another organisation keeping Aboriginal traditions alive is Adelaide\u2019s ANTAC, the Anangu Ngangkari Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation. Formed in 2013, ANTAC is the first organisation of Aboriginal traditional healers to work alongside conventional healthcare, offering traditional treatments and rituals for mental and physical diseases. They also provide training and educational workshops about Aboriginal medicine.<\/p>\n

Cultural camps conducted by Aboriginal horticulturist Noel Butler and his wife Trish Roberts at Burrill Lake, NSW, are increasing awareness of authentic Aboriginal healing and traditions. Their belief is that medicine can only gain from embracing Aboriginal healing. As Hippocrates said, \u201cFoolish the doctor who despises the knowledge acquired by the ancients.\u201d The couple host guests including Youth Off the Streets kids and Sydney University medical students to impart Aboriginal health and heritage.<\/p>\n

Noel\u2019s passionate about reinforcing cultural pride and purpose in Indigenous people and raising recognition of the Aboriginal plight. He despairs at the dismal state of Indigenous health: \u201cAboriginals\u2019 life expectancy is still 17 years less than [other] Australians and they have a three times higher rate of diabetes.\u201d He attributes the situation to lack of acceptance. \u201cMany Australian Aboriginals suffer health issues because they\u2019re denied the basic right to live where they want, with whom they want and how they want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indigenous healers, unlike their Western counterparts, generally don\u2019t request payment for their services but live off donations. \u201cIndigenous healers are often poor materially and we\u2019re poor spiritually,\u201d says Sue Gregory. \u201cWe can interact to enrich each other.\u201d According to Ngangkari healer Arnie Frank, \u201cNgangkari work is mostly a labour of love because everyone is our kin. But we\u2019ve got to live on something.\u201d With more collaboration, recognition, funding and facilities, Indigenous healers could be serving more people while supporting their families through their valuable work.<\/p>\n

Good vibrations<\/h2>\n

\u201cI have never felt something vibrate inside my body like that; truly amazing,\u201d author Louise Hay remarked after experiencing Jeremy \u201cYongurra\u201d Donovan\u2019s didgeridoo. This primordial pipe echoes the album of our mothers\u2019 wombs. Studies show the didgeridoo induces relaxing brainwaves, relieves pain, releases emotions and increases circulation.<\/p>\n

Donovan, of the Far North\u2019s Kuku Yalanji people, learnt to heal with the Yigi Yigi (didgeridoo) from his grandfather. He explains, \u201cThe didgeridoo\u2019s vibration enters the body and shakes our cells. This allows us to access cellular memory and break down blocked energy. Then, using medicinal traditional chants, these energies are moved from our bodies into the Spirit World where they can be released.\u201d<\/p>\n

During a 90-minute session Donovan transports you to a deep dreamtime using didgeridoo, bodywork and chants. \u201cThere\u2019s a language you\u2019re taught that resonates with the three major brains or energy centres within the body; these are Gumbalanya (stomach), Gupaanyung (heart) and Duulpuruu (mind),\u201d he shares.<\/p>\n

Didgeridoo healing can be practised by personally playing it, feeling it played over your body or holding the end in your hands as someone else plays it. Be aware that in some tribes it\u2019s taboo for women to play the didgeridoo. \u201cI make it my job to educate people from all corners of the world about the beauty that exists within our sacred and traditional culture,\u201d says Donovan, who has worked with the Dalai Lama, Dr Wayne Dwyer and Eckhart Tolle. He\u2019s also a world-renowned artist, motivational speaker and retreat leader for team building using traditional skills.<\/p>\n

Psychic surgery<\/h2>\n

\u201cWe are able to use our hands to get out those things that are causing the harm, and help people be well again,\u201d shares Ngangkari, Rupert Langkatjukur Peter in Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari. Compiled by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women\u2019s Council Aboriginal Corporation, which has over 6000 members, this enlightening tome profiles Indigenous healers from central Australia.<\/p>\n

The contributing Ngangkaris talk about seeing the spirit, putting it in the right place, strengthening the spirit, bringing spirit back to the body and exorcising bad spirits. They also help departed spirits move on or place them in loved ones, for nurturing and to comfort the grieving.<\/p>\n

Another Ngangkari ability is to astral travel. Writes Ngangkari Maringka Burton, \u201cWe perform a beautiful service to people while on our journeys because we find people who are unwell. We come back to our bodies in the morning and then we go around to see them and give the help that they require.\u201d<\/p>\n

Touching the spirit with open hands, heart and mind is imperative. Massage is integral to Indigenous healing methods, with each tribe having its own techniques. Aboriginal medicine woman Anne Warren elaborates: \u201cAccording to Ta-Idt\u2019 midtung medicine, massage is not a separate modality but is integrated and connected to the \u201ctouch\u201d, combining understandings from the person\u2019s physical, emotional, social, environmental and spiritual life. Touch therapy aims to bring back into balance all the elements of that person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bodywork may include the use of smoke, balms, crystals, inhalation and oils. Various coloured clays are also used to soothe skin, ease aches, strengthen tissues and purify.<\/p>\n

How to apply Aboriginal ways<\/h2>\n

Incorporate Indigenous wisdom into your life through these three channels.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \u00a0Connect to yourself. Regularly go within and attune to yourself. This deep listening is called Dadirri in Bunjuling language. In still silence, simply observe your mind, body and surroundings. Peace and harmony hail from this clear consciousness. Return to your birthplace and contemplate your past, present and life purpose.<\/li>\n
  2. Connect to family. Aboriginal people draw power, protection and guidance from their ancestors. Connect with your ancestors and care for your family to nurture the root of your health and happiness.<\/li>\n
  3. Connect to nature. Incorporate native foods into your regime, such as citrusy lemon myrtle seasoning, spicy bush tomatoes, nutritious wattleseed coffee and vitamin C-rich Kakadu plum. Find your peaceful place and deeply absorb the environment. \u201cWalk barefoot on the ground and sit in the bush,\u201d advises Noel Butler. Nature will nurture you. Patiently wait for your totem animal to appear and communicate with them. Pay respect to sacred sites and understand Indigenous land rights while offering acceptance, appreciation and support to Indigenous people.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    To connect more with Australian Aboriginal wisdom consider visiting the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns, Queensland, and similar centres around Australia.<\/p>\n

    Caroline Robertson practises and teaches natural therapies and First Aid in Sydney. For consults, classes, treatments and retreats, visit carolinerobertson.com.au<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We hear much about the healing systems of other nations, but the bush medicine practised by the original inhabitants of our own land is absolutely fascinating.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":1189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[105],"tags":[300,282,299,298],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1185"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1185"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1185\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1190,"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1185\/revisions\/1190"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}