THE tide is slowly turning before our eyes as more and more South Africans begin to embrace and acknowledge the health challenges that African traditional herbs can solve and the economic opportunities that come with the commercialisation of these products.
Over the years, we have seen some Africans overlooking indigenous medicinal herbs, while embracing western medication.
The stigma and limited funding to promote and professionalise indigenous medicine precipitated the notion that our traditional herbs are less effective.
Some people were fortunate enough to grow up with the elderly, who would teach them that some diseases do not require a westernised treatment method.
Therefore, sharing knowledge about how to use leaves, barks and roots, beneficial to human health, became a part of creating a culture of heritage preservation and community.
For example, in Venda, Limpopo, there are small trees called Mututulwa (Poison apple/ bitter apple). The roots of this plant have been used for many years to cure stomach pains.
The Artemisia, which is known as Tshiumbeumbe in Venda, is currently used to cure flu-like symptoms such as headaches and sore throats.
South Africa, like many other countries on the continent, is also rich with diverse medicinal plants and trees such as Moringa that has leaves rich in many important nutrients, including protein and vitamins.
Our elders would use this to boost their immune systems to prevent and treat diseases such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other conditions.
It is a good thing that this product is on the shelves now at many retail outlets in the form of juice, powder and tea.
At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw a number of people using traditional remedies for flu and colds.
The demand for the leaves of Artemisia afra – also known as Lengana, grew in South Africa as people sought it to treat Covid-19 symptoms.
As a result, if one drives to Limpopo via the N1, one will see a number of people selling traditional herbal products such as Lengana.
Many people are using the leaves of the Mubomo tree, to prevent flu-related symptoms.
While countries like China, India, and Japan advanced in this area, South Africa unfortunately for a while missed the opportunity to harness and leverage business and employment opportunities that come with traditional health products because for years, the African approach to health was demonised.
In South Africa, we are fortunate to have the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) that is funding and supporting research and development of IKS related projects.
Research organisations such the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has a long history of working with traditional healers in commercialising traditional herbs.
The recent announcement by the CSIR that the organisation is working closely with some traditional health practitioners to develop safe and standardised traditional medicines for commercialisation is a step in the right direction.
This project is funded by the DSI, to use its scientific capacity to standardise herbs such as Umphetha, an iced tea used to treat internal ulcers, blood cleansing and immune boosting; Moshumasekgwa, a tea that treats high blood pressure, diabetes and urinary problems; Lenong, a tissue oil to treat wounds and arthritis; KgopaTM, a petroleum jelly to treat sores, skin problems and stomach aches; PrijapTM, a herbal liquid with anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that strengthens the immune system and increases energy levels and appetite. It also includes Areka Ya MakgomaTM, a herbal sachet that facilitates the healing process of opportunistic infections and improves appetite.
There are many entrepreneurs in the chemicals, agro-processing and biotechnology industry who are getting help from the CSIR in developing food products from indigenous fruits. One of them is Patricia Mathivha, a female entrepreneur who is developing maize porridge and snack bars from Baobab fruit pulp.
Mathivha works with communities in Limpopo, specifically in the Vhembe district, where the women of the community collect baobab fruits from the wild, where after the pulp is processed to a powder, which is of commercial value due to its use as a food and nutraceutical ingredient.
This project is empowering women in the villages by creating jobs and business opportunities in rural areas.
Projects such as these, must be commended and supported as they signify a step in the right direction in terms of developing an African solution for Africans using resources at our disposal.
It is very clear that Africa is rich in knowledge and herbs that can be used to improve the well-being of the society and boost economic development.
More needs to be done to encourage our knowledge holders to share with the younger generation so that it is preserved and remains a source that will drive socio-economic development in communities.
I have no doubt that a new industry focusing on localisation and commercialisation of indigenous herbs and plants is on the rise in Africa and will bolster Africa’s economic activities and create jobs.
Mandaha is a Communication Manager at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research