The field of traditional medicine is as diverse as the societies in which it is found. Materia medicadiffer, and diagnosis, treatments and theories of disease also vary. In view of this immense diversity of traditional practice, it is clearly unrealistic to attempt to provide a comprehensive review of the various systems of traditional medicine found in tropical countries or to review their various clinical applications. What this chapter aims to do is to provide a framework for understanding what traditional medicine is, who uses it and why, and how it is moving towards being given a place in the formal healthcare systems of many countries. There is also a review of the use of traditional medicine in the management of common conditions: malaria, HIV/AIDS, wounds and eye disease. These have been selected for consideration as they are among the commonest reasons for people seeking treatment – from both modern and traditional health professionals. Other areas which have not been …