A significant portion of traditional medicines, on which the World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the population in developing nations relies on primary healthcare, are used by many Nigerians. However, the false claims made by some herbal remedies that they can be used to treat a variety of ailments is a very disputed matter. Mr. John Chukwuma has consumed five bottles of a herbal beverage in the last five months. He claimed he was using it to treat neck and leg discomfort. When our correspondent met him, he had just arrived at his vendor’s store to purchase two further bottles.
Chukwuma, who identified himself as being in his 40s, stated that he had been experiencing chronic neck discomfort and arthritis in his legs. He also stated that he was quite irritated because there is still no cure for the difficulties he’s experiencing. He claimed he turned to unconventional medicine after discovering that the medication prescribed by the hospital did not provide the relief he needed. He claimed, however, that at the traditional medicine shop, he was informed that a certain herbal remedy may treat the arthritis in his legs and the back pain he was experiencing.
Treatment is supposed to help more than one ailment.
He went on to claim, that despite taking these bottles of herbal medicine over the course of time since the beginning in August, he has not yet experienced any alleviation from the ache in his neck. He did admit, though, that he had seen a slight reduction in the discomfort in his legs. Speaking with our correspondent, he revealed that since he began using the herbal mixes, he has actually purchased more than five bottles. While he hasn’t noticed any changes in his neck, he has noticed roughly a 30% improvement in his legs.
It has been reported that it is typical for herbal medicines to help just one ailment and added that he was not worried when questioned whether he was concerned about the safety of the herbal treatment that is supposed to be able to treat multiple ailments simultaneously. Regarding how he learned about the herbal medicine he is purchasing, he claimed that it is easy to locate vendors of such medicines because they are constantly present in busy areas like motor parks in Lagos. He also added that vendors advertise their goods with loudspeakers mounted outside of their shops to let people know what they offer.
WHO’s talks on the position of the herbal medication.
Herbal medicines include herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and finished herbal products that contain active plant components, additional plant materials, or combinations of the two, according to the World Health Organization. These herbs are made from plant materials like seeds, leaves, stalks, flowers, and stems. According to the WHO, using herbal medicines has grown in popularity recently and is now the first form of treatment for the majority of people before turning to conventional drugs. However, research has shown that many patients who use herbal remedies only visit hospitals when the sickness they are treating has progressed to a chronic and intolerable state.
However, according to the WHO, primary healthcare is still provided by traditional medicine, of which herbal medicine is a significant part, for about 80% of the world’s population, particularly in developing nations. However, medical professionals advise Nigerians to be aware of some of these packaged herbal medications, especially those that make several health claims. Prof. Tanimola Akande, a public health physician, asserts that it is highly improbable that a single medication can treat a variety of illnesses, and questions the assertion that a single herbal medication may treat a number of illnesses simultaneously.
One herbal drug is said to cure six diseases.
It was further proven that vendors of these herbal medicines regularly offer drugs that they assert may treat a variety of illnesses, this was witnessed during a visit by a reporter to one herbal medicine business in Lagos’ Berger neighborhood. After the correspondent complained of lower back pain and menstruation pain, the merchant advised her to purchase a herbal cocktail called “Female Corrective Fertility Plus.” Without performing a diagnosis, the salesperson, a young woman named Millicent in her early 20’s, recommended this herbal medicine. She asserted that the prescription would assure regular menstruation free of pain, treat back pain, and aid in the treatment of reproductive issues.
Related Link
WHO: Website
Fact-Checking Tool – Snopes.com
