Globally, herbal products are used for prevention and treatment of various diseases. A study of Western Kenya carried out in Sabatia Sub-county, Vihiga County in December 2014 has identified 36 plant species belonging to 26 families used as medicine to treat stomach and skin conditions, especially among persons with HIV.
“The plant species with most consensus for specific conditions were Cassia Occidentalis L. for malaria/fever at 36 per cent and Justicia betonica L. for gastrointestinal conditions at 36 per cent. The most mentioned conditions for which plant medicines were used were gastrointestinal and skin problems,” read excerpts of the study.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises the unique contributions of traditional medicine by recognising its contribution to primary health care and universal coverage, especially at a time when chronic non-communicable diseases have overtaken infectious diseases as the world’s biggest killer.
“For millions of people often living in rural areas of developing countries, herbal medicines, traditional treatments and traditional practitioners are the main, sometimes the only source of health care,” WHO secretary general said.
