Traditional African medicine grows in popularity across continent amid challenges

Traditional African medicine, which combines indigenous herbal remedies with spiritual practices, is seeing a growing preference in many parts of Africa, even as it faces challenges such as regulation, malpractice and the presence of fraudsters.

This time-honored practice, deeply embedded in the continent's diverse cultures, involves a wide array of healing methods, including the use of medicinal herbs, plants, foods and rituals.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 80 percent of Africans rely on this extensive and varied system of healing.

Interestingly, a growing number of individuals who have used modern medicine are considering a shift, primarily due to high costs.

However, traditional medicine faces significant challenges. Issues such as regulation, standardization and the presence of "quacks"—unqualified individuals posing as legitimate practitioners—are major concerns.

Ruth Nyangacha, deputy director at the Center for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR) within the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the national body responsible for carrying out research in human health in Kenya, highlights the need for legal frameworks to ensure the proper regulation of traditional medicine.

"Without any hesitation at all, I would say that Kenya is very keen in having laws that regulate traditional and alternative medicine in Kenya. And because we know that when there's legislation, there's provision for having regulation and standardization of these traditional and alternative medicines. There's also provisions for criminalizing malpractice in the profession, and there is provisions also for conservation of medicinal plants that are used in this practice," she said.

She also points out that the infiltration of quacks undermines the credibility of traditional medicine.

"When we talk about quacks, what happens is that we are also thinking about what happens to these products, so you find that when there's malpractice, there's a possibility of intentional adulteration of these products with even conventional medicine," Nyangacha said.

"For example, we just finished a study whereby we were looking at herbal formulations indicated for diabetes and cancer in the country and we collected samples from Nairobi and Eldoret. And we were able to see that some of these samples had metformin, which is a conventional drug for diabetes. So it looks like the patient is getting better, but in a real sense, maybe this medicinal product is laced with some of these drugs, sometimes it's just laced with a pain killer," she explained.

Organizations such as the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH) are working to address these issues by educating the public and promoting the authentic benefits of traditional medicine amidst a flood of misinformation.

KEMRI reports a growing body of scientific research supporting the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants. To fully unlock the benefits of traditional medicine in Kenya, experts advocate for comprehensive legislation, regulation, research and collaboration in all matters pertaining to traditional medicine.

Traditional African medicine grows in popularity across continent amid challenges

Many vibrant activities were held across China on Tuesday to celebrate the 40th Teachers' Day, which falls on Sept. 10, honoring the contributions of teachers to students' personal development and their role in shaping the overall education system.

In Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, landmark buildings were lit up at night with warm wishes, expressing sincere gratitude to teachers.

A school in Bishan District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality held a special ceremony to welcome new teachers, who vowed to abide by the instructors' code and ethics during an oath-taking session.

In Nanchang, capital city of east China's Jiangxi Province, outstanding teachers were commended for their efforts in fostering student development and improving their academic skills.

Students in Lanzhou, capital city of northwest China's Gansu Province, showed their gratitude to the teachers' hard work with various forms of performances, including a live drama on stage.

Meanwhile, Majiang County in southwest China's Guizhou Province kicked off an art festival featuring music and dance performances to mark the special day.

In interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN), people from various professions recalled their fondest school memories, sharing the important roles teachers played in shaping their lives.

"When I was in the second year of high school, my grades dropped. My Chinese teacher encouraged me, saying that 'Even if you're not one of the best, you're still unique.' I've remembered his words till this day," said Yu Kangna who works as a nurse at a hospital in Deqing County of Zhejiang.

"I've always been poor at math, but my math teacher didn't give up on me. He offered me and others extra tutoring and told us to believe in myself. He told us that girls don't necessarily perform poorly in math and we can be as good as boys," said Yue Ziyi, a student at Jimei University in east China's Xiamen.

Others expressed gratitude to their teachers for nurturing them and acting as guardians.

"My most memorable teacher is my head teacher in high school. He treated every student with loads of patience. He believes every one of us is capable of learning," said Wang Chaobo, a worker at the gas production branch of the Daqing Oilfield, one of China's largest oil production bases in the northeastern Heilongjiang Province.

"To Teacher Li, thanks you. Thank you for protecting me when I was young and for making me feel that I was no different from other students. I wish you good health," said Qu Zimo, a badminton player and also a member of the Chinese delegation for the Paris Paralympics.

Over the past decades, China has built the world's largest high-standard education system, covering pre-school, compulsory, senior high, higher education, adult education, and special education.

The country now boasts nearly 19 million full-time teachers, double the number in 1985 when the first Teachers' Day was celebrated.

China celebrates 40th Teachers' Day with vibrant activities