scholarly journals The governance of traditional medicine and herbal remedies in the selected local markets of Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Kibet Chebii ◽  
John Kaunga Muthee ◽  
Karatu Kiemo

Abstract BackgroundA lot of emphasis has always been placed on modern governance systems and little or no attention is given to traditional governance practices which remain largely undocumented. This study aimed at finding out important traditional and modern governance practices that regulate traditional medicine sector. There is a growing demand for traditional medicine in urban settings in spite of its proximity to conventional health care centres and access to modern medicine. However, questions about their safety and efficacy still remain to be adequately addressed Materials and Methods The study was carried out in selected market centres in the Western part of Kenya where the identified traditional medicine practitioners sell their traditional medicine and treat patients who come for medication. All the identified Professional Experts upon attaining an oral prior informed consent were interviewed at their offices in Nairobi, Kenya. The market centres were located at Eldoret, Kitale, Moi’s Bridge, Makutano, Arror, Kakamega, Luanda and Yala which are actually spread out in eight different administrative counties. Purposive sampling design with elements of snow ball techniques were employed in tracing competent traditional medicine ‘experts’ and relevant professional experts. Interviews were conducted upon obtaining prior oral informed consents using semi structured questionnaires. The data collected was entered in Microsoft Excel where descriptive statistics namely, averages/mean, frequencies and percentage descriptive statistics were conducted. The Pearson’s Chi square statistics was performed on the traditional and modern governance data sets using the STATA software and data presented using tables, bar and column graphs. Results Modern governance practices were not significantly different in all the market centres surveyed (p=0.080). Equally, the traditional governance practices were also not significantly different in all the selected market centres (p=1.000). Most traditional medicine practitioners (65%) purely survived on traditional medicine as a source of livelihood with few practitioners (35%) selling beads, calabashes, tobacco and even sweets/candy alongside traditional medicine. There was low level of (27%) awareness on the existing laws and policies despite having high levels of compliance on county by-laws (100%) and payment of charged market fees (96%). Conclusions Traditional governance practices are as important as the modern governance practices and should receive heightened attention and interest both by the national and county systems of government. In most cases, the traditional governance practitioners determine eligibility for traditional medicine practice even before the practitioner acquires a formal certificate of recognition or registration. The traditional governance practices are closely guided by the socio-cultural beliefs of the local communities. Modern governance practices are often seen as top down regulation of the traditional medicine sector where the traditional medicine practitioners feel alienated from the making of laws that affect them directly. Good laws and policies are not enough, education awareness campaigns to increase awareness among the traditional medicine practitioners and gather feedback is much needed in order to meet their needs and aspirations and ultimately grow the traditional medicine sector.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Kibet Chebii ◽  
John Kaunga Muthee ◽  
Karatu Kiemo

Abstract Background A lot of emphasis is often placed on modern governance systems and little or no attention is given to traditional governance practices which remain largely undocumented. The study aimed at finding out important traditional and modern governance practices that regulate traditional medicine sector in the Western Kenya. Materials and Methods The study was carried out in selected market centres of Western Kenya where the identified Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) sell their traditional medicine. All consenting TMPs and Professional Experts were interviewed with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling design with elements of snow ball techniques was employed in tracing competent traditional medicine (TM) experts and relevant professional experts. The data collected was processed in Microsoft Excel and descriptive statistics performed. The Pearson’s Chi square statistics was carried out to determine the significance of the traditional and modern governance data sets using the STATA software. Results Modern governance practices were not significantly different in all the market centres surveyed (p=0.080). Equally, the traditional governance practices were also not significantly different in all the selected market centres (p=1.000). Conclusions Traditional governance practices play an important role in the governance of traditional medicine, and are shaped by the socio-cultural beliefs of the local communities. Modern governance practices, on the other hand, are widely perceived as top down regulation of the traditional medicine growing industry.


Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Sarah Lemke ◽  
Andreas Vilcinskas

Before the advent of modern medicine, natural resources were widely used by indigenous populations for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The associated knowledge, collectively described as folk medicine or traditional medicine, was largely based on trial-and-error testing of plant extracts (herbal remedies) and the use of invertebrates, particularly medicinal maggots of the blowfly Lucilia sericata and blood-sucking leeches. The widespread use of traditional medicine in the West declined as scientific advances allowed reproducible testing under controlled conditions and gave rise to the modern fields of biomedical research and pharmacology. However, many drugs are still derived from natural resources, and interest in traditional medicine has been renewed by the ability of researchers to investigate the medical potential of diverse species by high-throughput screening. Likewise, researchers are starting to look again at the benefits of maggot and leech therapy, based on the hypothesis that the use of such animals in traditional medicine is likely to reflect the presence of specific bioactive molecules that can be developed as drug leads. In this review, we consider the modern medical benefits of European medicinal leeches based on the systematic screening of their salivary proteins.


Author(s):  
Hamed Fathi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh ◽  
Ramin Ataie ◽  
Shahram Eslami ◽  
Niusha Esmaealzadeh ◽  
...  

Introduction: Depression is a chronic and common disease and is currently used to treat antidepressants such as tricyclics, which sometimes lead to the activity of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The use of chemical and industrial drugs by their patients can be due to the lack of treatment for depression. Therefore, in order to promote health, the use of natural products and herbs, and clinical trials and studies with traditional medicine approaches to the treatment of depression is important. In the past, natural products have also been used. The Qurchr('39')an and Islam, while analyzing the causes and phenomena of depression, have addressed the ways of its treatment. In particular, this study has been conducted in line with the on the revival of traditional Iranian and Islamic medicine, and it seems necessary. Material and Methods: In this paper, materials based on electronic library resources, including scientific articles and relevant books from foreign and domestic authoritative journals and websites, have been conducted with proper keyword searches. The medicinal herbs used in depression in traditional medicine and modern medicine, the teachings of the Islamic religion, the reports presented in this regard in English and Persian, and the experiences of the several years of research on various indigenous herbs seeking research You know, it was a benchmark for study and was studied after collection. Results: In traditional medicine, for the treatment of many diseases, such as depression and anxiety, some herbs such as Citrus aurantium L. and Ocimum basilicum have been known and used for many years. Studies on Echium amoenum L. and Feijoa sellowiana have also been carried out today. It is also used to treat acupuncture. In traditional medicine, and of course, Islam and the Quran, depression has been discussed and appropriate solutions have been presented. So that natural products derived from medicinal plants are known and recommended. Meanwhile, in Islam and the Qurchr('39')an, healthy, halal and herbal remedies have also been addressed. In ancient Traditional Iranian medicine, it has been given great importance to the theme of sport, heroism and its moral outcomes. Also, Islamic scholars believed in the benefits of spiritual education and its role in physical strengthening. Relaxing exercises also significantly reduced depression. Conclusion: Given that patients with depression may be susceptible to suicide due to frustration. The use of medicinal herbs and traditional medicine and Iranian medicine, in view of their desirable, natural and safe effects, is necessary. According to Islamic texts, practical commitment to Islamic beliefs can be a deterrent to many psychological disorders. Reading the Qurchr('39')an, believing in God, practicing the teachings of the Qurchr('39')an and prayer, and other divine duties are also effective in creating calm and promoting the health and treatment of diseases such as depression.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bai James ◽  
Lexina Taidy-Leigh ◽  
Abdulai Jawo Bah ◽  
Joseph Sam Kanu ◽  
Jia Bainga Kangbai ◽  
...  

In resource-poor countries where access to infertility care is limited, women may turn to traditional medicine to achieve motherhood. It is unknown whether Sierra Leonean women with such condition use herbal medicine. This study investigates the prevalence and factors associated with herbal medicine use among women seeking care for infertility. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted among women seeking care for infertility at various clinics within Freetown, Sierra Leone. Data analysis included Chi-square tests and logistic regression. Out of the 167 women that participated, 36.5% used herbal medicine for infertility treatment. Women with no formal (AOR 4.03, CL: 1.38–11.76, p=0.011), primary education (AOR: 6.23, CL: 2.02–19.23, p=0.001) and those that visited a traditional medicine practitioner (AOR: 20.05, CL: 2.10–192.28, p=0.009) as well as women suffering from other reproductive health problems (AOR: 2.57, CL: 1.13–5.83, p=0.024) were more likely to use herbal medicines. Friends and family (n=57, 96.7%) were the main influencers of herbal medicine use. Only (n=12) 19.7% of users disclosed their status to their healthcare provider. Over half (n=32, 52.5%) could not remember the name of the herb they used. Luffa acutangula (n=29, 100%) was the herbal medicinal plant users could recall. Herbal medicine use among women seeking care for infertility in Freetown is common. Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential dyadic use of herbal and allopathic medicines by their patients and be knowledgeable about commonly used herbal remedies as well as being proactive in communicating the potential risks and benefits associated with their use.


Author(s):  
Tawseef Ahmad Mir ◽  
Rakesh Kumar Khare ◽  
Muatasim Jan

People are using medicinal plants to alleviate diseases since the time immemorial. The present paper enumerates a total of 25 medicinal plants belonging to 19 families used for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery diseases in Khag tehsil of district Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Asteraceae was the dominant family. Leaves were found to be dominant plant used for the preparation of herbal remedies. It was found that in this era of modern medicine, people are still relied on traditional medicine to get their primary health care. It was also revealed medicinal plants are under serious threat and needs to be conserved as so as to enjoy this legacy in future too.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 26-31
Author(s):  
Naelaz Zukhruf Wakhidatul Kiromah ◽  
Tri Cahyani Widiastuti

Indonesia has 20,000 types of plants where 300 species have been used as traditional medicines. The use of traditional medicine as an alternative treatment in Indonesia that has been used by both rural and urban communities. The use of traditional medicine is considered safer than modern medicine. The purpose of this study was to identify the level of use of traditional medicine and public awareness in the use of traditional medicine in work area of  Health Center Gombong 1 which consists of 5 villages. This research is a non-experimental and descriptive research that uses a questionnaire. Respondents who participated in this study were 140 people. The characteristics of respondents who participated in this study were the majority of men (50,71%), last educated of elementary school (41,43%), as housewives (27,86%). The majority of people in work area of Health Center Gombong choose treatment with modern medicine (64,29%). In addition there are 35,71% using traditional medicine and the majority use rhizome species (46%) for the treatment of minor ailments. In this study also showed that the majority of people do not know the safety of traditional medicines (50%) due to lack of information so that information is needed on the benefits and safety and the use of good and appropriate traditional medicines.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Ahmadian ◽  
Reza Khajouei ◽  
Sudabeh Kamali ◽  
Moghaddameh Mirzaee ◽  
Arefeh Ameri

BACKGROUND Today, the Internet may be a promising tool for interventions for pregnant women. However, these kinds of tools are only helpful if users are ready to use them. OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted with the aim of readiness assessment of pregnant women to use the Internet to access health information about pregnancy and childbirth. METHODS This study was carried out on a sample of 384 pregnant women. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The first section of this questionnaire collected demographic characteristics of the participants. The second part of the questionnaire contains 27 questions covering the following components: infrastructure readiness (6 questions); affordability readiness (3 questions); and skill readiness (12 questions). Data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and T-test. RESULTS This study was carried out on a sample of 384 pregnant women. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The first section of this questionnaire collected demographic characteristics of the participants. The second part of the questionnaire contains 27 questions covering the following components: infrastructure readiness (6 questions); affordability readiness (3 questions); and skill readiness (12 questions). Data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and T-test. CONCLUSIONS The use of the Internet by pregnant women depends on factors such as infrastructure, affordability, and skills readiness. This study showed that speed and the quality of the Internet, hardware and software availability, affordability of the Internet, and access to the Internet training were factors in measuring E-health readiness assessment. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henryk Wojtaszek ◽  
Ireneusz Miciuła

This paper analyzes the actions that improve innovativeness in production enterprises in the Silesian province. Innovation is one of the elements that allows to achieve a competitive advantage. It is justified to research various factors that are important in improving innovativeness. The research includes selected production enterprises in the Silesian province, adopting the descriptive statistics measures and statistic tests: random sample test, chi-square independence test and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test based on a survey questionnaire. Some of the most important factors determining the possibilities of innovation by manufacturing companies were detected contacts with other enterprises, R&D centers and counseling institutions, competitive position of the company, and creating appropriate incentive systems.


Sci ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Prince Yeboah ◽  
Arnold Donkor Forkuo ◽  
Obed Kwabena Offe Amponsah ◽  
Nana Ofori Adomako ◽  
Ahmad Yaman Abdin ◽  
...  

Malaria is a serious infection affecting millions of people in Africa. Our study investigated the personal preferences and applications of antimalarial medicines in Ghana. Based on over 1000 questionnaires distributed in Ghana from January to May 2019, we noticed that although Western medications to fight this disease are widely available, most patients in Ghana prefer treatment with locally produced herbal remedies. This preference appears to be due to a combination of traditional venues for obtaining medicines “on the street” rather than in licensed pharmacies, trust in local and “green” products, extensive advertisement of such local products, and an inherent distrust of imported and synthetic or unnatural medicines. Going local and natural is a trend also observed in other countries across the globe, and adds to the acceptance or rejection of drugs regardless of their activity or toxicity. In fact, adverse side effects associated with herbal remedies, such as general weakness and swollen, sore mouth, do not seem to deter the respondents of this study in Ghana. We propose a combination of (a) increasing public awareness of the benefits of modern medicine and (b) an improvement and control of the quality of herbal remedies to raise the standard of malaria treatment in countries such as Ghana.


2020 ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Giang Huynh Huong ◽  
Tan Nguyen Thi ◽  
Hung Nguyen Van

Background: Sciatica due to lumbar spondylosis is a common disease syndrome, include pathological signs from lumbar spine and sciatic nerve. It occurs for a long time and affects to working ability and daily life. Currently there are many methods of treatment with modern medicine and traditional medicine. Electroacupuncture combined with acupressure point, massage treatment and “Doc hoat tang ky sinh” remedy is a highly effective method on treating sciatica due to lumbar spondylosis. Objectives: To evaluate the effectives of electroacupuncture combined with acupressure point, massage treatment and “Doc hoat tang ky sinh” remedy on treating sciatica due to lumbar spondylosis. Materials and Method: A total of 43 patients was diagnosed sciatica caused by lumbar spondylosis who treated at Thua Thien Hue Traditional Medicine Hospital. The study was designed by method of prospective study, assessed the results before and after the treatment. Results: Very good: 34.9%; good: 34.9%; average 7%. There was not any unexpected effects observed in this trial. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture combined with acupressure point, massage treatment and “Doc hoat tang ky sinh” remedy is a effective method on treating sciatica caused by lumbar spondylosis. Key words: sciatica, lumbar spondylosis, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupressure point, massage treatment


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