Page 15 - Issue 27

Feature 15

Traditional African medicine and

conventional drugs: friends or

enemies?

Traditional African herbs on display

Chrisna Gouws
Senior Lecturer, North-West University
Published : The Conversation
frica is home to an extensive and thousands of years. Up to 80% of people many prescription medicines. But there
diverse medicinal plant life. This in some areas regularly use traditional are challenges. These include the fact
Aincludes commonly used herbs medicines and consult traditional health that many consumers automatically
like Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), Devil’s practitioners. In some areas, traditional assume “natural equals safe”. Another
claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), treatments are the main or only problem arises when people use
Buchu (Agathosma betulina), Cape treatment because they are accessible, traditional or herbal remedies together
Aloe (Aloe ferox) and Hoodia (Hoodia affordable and culturally accepted. with prescribed medicines.
gordonii).
Numerous traditional African medicines Part of the research my colleagues and
These plant - or herb-based treatments are undeniably beneficial in treating I do at North-West University in South
have been a key part of the continent’s disease or maintaining good health.
traditional medicinal practices for Some have even been the source of To Page 17

www.engineerbw.com Issue 27 - May /June 2020