Along the rivers and savannas of Africa's Kalahari Desert, the San (or Bushmen) have lived for at least 20,000 years. But in recent decades, disputes over the San's land rights have left them struggling to preserve their way of life. Essential to the culture are plant remedies and healing rituals aimed at moving toward balance, wholeness, and connectedness, explains Richard Katz, Ph.D., coauthor of Healing Makes Our Hearts Happy (proceeds benefit the nonprofit Kalahari Peoples Fund). Consider adding these three traditions to your repertoire.

Teatime treasure
The slightly smoky flavor of rooibos (pronounced roy-boss) has long been a Kalahari favorite. "Rooibos is used by some traditional medicines for asthma, colic, eczema, headache, nausea, and mild depression," says Diane McKay, Ph.D., an adjunct assistant professor at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Few studies have tested the tea's health effects, but in a recent review of lab tests McKay found that rooibos delivers potent antioxidant and immune-regulating benefits. Consider sipping one or two cups of the caffeine-free brew daily.

Community healing
In the San's community healing dance, which often lasts from dusk till dawn, healers lay their hands on residents to pull out sickness, offer protection from illness, and promote well-being. There's a lot we can learn from the dance. For starters, healing doesn't occur just with the help of health professionals, says Katz. Whether you're under the weather or coping with a chronic illness, stay connected to your social circle -- or, better yet, expand it. Many people -- friends, family members, support groups -- can provide relief during times of sickness, says Katz. What's more, studies have shown that staying socially connected may help prevent illness in the first place.

Herbal relief
Although the community healing dance is their primary method of both staving off and treating sickness, the San sometimes turn to plant medicine for additional help in treating minor ailments. Traditionally used for soothing fever or easing indigestion, extract of devil's claw root, which is native to the Kalahari, possesses both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. To ease the ache of arthritis or quell low-back pain, Mindy Boxer, Ph.D., acupuncturist and herbalist, recommends taking 100 to 250 mg of devil's claw three times a day. Since devil's claw can be harmful for people with ulcers or gallstones, Boxer recommends consulting with your health-care practitioner if you're thinking of using the herb.