The Chief Executive Officer of PIWAK Natural Health, Dr Prince Nelson Mortoti, has urged Africans to take greater advantage of herbal medicine, saying the continent is endowed with a rich variety of plants and natural resources with medicinal potential.
He said herbal medicine had formed an important part of African healthcare traditions for generations and should not be ignored in the quest to promote healthy living.
Dr Mortoti made the call as he encouraged Africans to appreciate the potential benefits of medicinal plants, roots, leaves and stems and support efforts to develop the herbal medicine sector.
According to him, nature had provided mankind with a wide range of plants that could be explored for their nutritional and medicinal properties.
He, therefore, called for greater interest in herbal medicine, particularly through research, education and responsible use.
Rich herbal resources.
Dr Mortoti said Africa’s abundant plant resources presented an opportunity for the continent to develop a stronger herbal medicine industry.
He noted that many communities had traditional knowledge about the use of plants and other natural materials for managing various health conditions.
He said such indigenous knowledge should be preserved and subjected to scientific research to establish the safety, quality and effectiveness of herbal preparations.
The PIWAK Natural Health CEO also urged herbal medicine practitioners and researchers to work together to document traditional knowledge and identify plants with potential therapeutic value.
‘God gave us plants’
Dr Mortoti said his advocacy for greater appreciation of herbal medicine was also influenced by biblical teachings on the use of plants and natural resources.
He explained that God had provided mankind with plants and their fruits for use and nourishment, and that Africans should therefore appreciate the natural resources available to them.
He encouraged the public to explore the potential benefits of herbs and other plant materials while ensuring that they were used responsibly.
Need for research
Dr Mortoti stressed the importance of research in the development of herbal medicine.
He said increased scientific research could help identify the active components of medicinal plants, establish appropriate uses and improve the quality of herbal products.
He also called for stronger collaboration among herbal medicine practitioners, scientists, healthcare professionals, academic institutions and regulatory bodies.
According to him, such collaboration would help bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern scientific research.
Responsible use.
Dr Mortoti urged consumers to be cautious when selecting herbal products and to obtain them from credible sources.
He said people should not assume that every product described as natural was automatically safe, stressing the importance of proper dosage, quality control and professional guidance.
He also advised people with serious or persistent health conditions to seek appropriate medical attention rather than relying exclusively on unverified herbal claims.
Dr Mortoti maintained that with proper research, education and regulation, herbal medicine could make a meaningful contribution to Africa’s healthcare system.
He said the continent’s rich botanical resources should be harnessed responsibly to preserve indigenous knowledge, support scientific innovation and promote better health and wellbeing among Africans.
