African traditional medicine draws fresh attention

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only pushed Africa's traditional medicine into spotlight, but has also offered a silver lining in the continent's efforts to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare systems.

Since the introduction of Western medicine during the colonial period, a development that saw some ancient healing methods outlawed, many African nations haven't integrated indigenous remedies into conventional medical practice.

The pandemic response has created an opportunity for consideration of traditional medicine therapies, to the delight of indigenous herbalists.

According to the World Health Organization, 12 African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa, are clinically testing traditional medicine for management of COVID-19.

Mbaabu Mathiu, coordinator of the Center for Natural Products and Bioprospecting at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, said the COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness among the public about the use of traditional medicine.

Mathiu said many Africans have been using traditional remedies either as a preventive measure or for management of COVID-19 infections, even though such medicines have not been authorized in many countries.

He said the use of traditional medicine has particularly helped people living in Kenya's rural areas to fight COVID-19.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many people have taken to steam inhalation using various concoctions, in addition to consuming a mixture of ginger, garlic and lemon.

Medicinal prescriptions

Mary Mbithe, who contracted COVID-19 last month and recovered, said that in addition to taking medicines prescribed by a doctor, she regularly used steam with menthol crystals.

Motlalepula Matsabisa, the chairman of the WHO Regional Expert Advisory Committee on Traditional Medicines for COVID-19, said that medicines and vaccines for all modern-day illnesses have their origin in traditional medicine or natural products, so there is hope that more such drugs and vaccines can be developed.

Eliud Legishon, a Maasai herbalist who sells traditional medicines in Nairobi, said demand for his herbal remedies has increased, especially those used with steaming to fight the flu, as people look for alternatives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The herbalist said that knowledge of African traditional medicine has been developed for centuries and should not be overlooked.