In the world, we have important days which are meant to be commemorated because they play a significant role in our lives. From the 26 up to the 31st of August 2021 the African continent commemorates the African Traditional Medicine awareness week. The commemoration is solely based on acknowledging the importance of African herbs that are widely used by Africans.
The Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council says, “As we celebrate African medicine week, it is important that we understand the practice of African medicine in our society. Traditional African medicine is used on holistic discipline involving indigenous herbalism and African spirituality, typically involving diviners, midwives, and herbalists. Practitioners of traditional African medicine claim to be able to cure various and diverse conditions such as cancers, psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, cholera, most venereal diseases, epilepsy, asthma, eczema, fever, anxiety, depression, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract infections, gout, and healing of wounds and burns and even Ebola. About 80% of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs. In some cases, traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable to many people on the continent. In this case, the fact that traditional medicine is immensely used in Africa cannot be underestimated.”
In South Africa, the well-known marketplace where most traditional medicines are found is “Kwa Mai Mai Traditional Market” which is situated in Johannesburg CBD.
By Vuyokazi Bam
