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 Dr Byoya and his wife holding up the Theta calendar for 2006. On the wall of his reception room was a Theta calendar from 2002. |
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Dr. Byoya feels a strong connection to Theta and old posters, calendars, and brochures had been placed on the walls of the visitor’s room. It was Theta’s suggestion, upon hearing the challenges of healers during the training sessions, that some healers begin to cultivate their own medicinal herb gardens. In the south of Uganda, where there is considerable rainfall and lush vegetation, Dr. Byoya was the first to take this challenge to heart. His garden is considered the “mother” of the medicinal herb gardens. All others that we visited had been started from seedlings or plants taken from this magnificent garden.
The day was overcast, a soft rain was falling, but, umbrella in hand, we began our walk through the muddy terrain as Dr. Byoya introduced us to his medicinal herbs.
This is for malaria as well as for discharges from the vagina. |
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Dr. B: This is for malaria as well as for discharges from the vagina.
Rose: How is it applied?
Lydia: They drink it.
 This is for the placenta that is threatening to come out. |
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Dr Byoya leads us to an unusual fruit tree and pulls down a branch for us to view.
 Dr. B pointing out a fruit that is used for treating snakebite |
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Lydia translating: The medicinal part is the fruit. They use it in instances of snakebite, even with dogs. It extracts the poison. Even in instances of witchcraft, anything that can obstruct someone. He gives it to them and they will vomit it out. It also works on pelvic inflammatory diseases.
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Dr B: This one induces labor pains. When the labor pains start, the expectant mother chews the leaves, swallows them, the liquid is extracted, and then she delivers.
Dr B: This is for worms, this tall, tall plant. Also the neighboring plant.
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Adjacent to the herb garden was a field planted with sweet potatoes. Dr. Byoya explained that the leaves of the sweet potato plant are used to treat herpes zoraster, which is common with AIDS patients.
At the base of the garden, there were beehives. Men showing us the beehives at the base of the garden. |
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Morenga
Lydia: Morenga is used when someone has malaria, and for someone who has general body pain and lacks appetite for food.
Dr Byoya explains to Lydia, referring to Morenga: These seeds are small, very light seedlings. This is their nature; they are light and very bitter.
This is for persons who are bewitched and have spiritual problems.
Dr. Byoya and Lydia presenting some of his herbal treatments.
From the table on which there were a dozen herbal treatments Dr Byoya picked up one bottle and explains to Lydia: This one is for weight. He gives the example of Rosemary. If someone is as fat as Rosemary and uses this in six months time, she is as thin as you yourself are. (Referring to Caitlin)
Dr. Byoya showed us a number of other herbal treatments. Lydia: This seed is for worms. You pound the seeds, mix with warm water, drink and you clear your stomach, which may be full of worms.
Dr. pictured with his one wife of many years. He is carrying his record book, a practice also introduced by Theta.