Zambia needs increased research on herbal medicines

Mufulira Mayor Tanaeli Kamanga says Zambia needs increased research on herbal medicines to develop locally produced food supplements and medicines. that can be used to manage and treat various ailments.

Mr. Kamanga says lack of research in herbal medicine has made the country to continue importing food supplements and herbal medicines from resources that are locally available.

Speaking during a workshop for diabetes patients in Mufulira, the Mayor observed that he is concerned that various imported food supplements and herbal medicines often sold at high prices that are beyond the reach of many Zambians.

“Zambia is blessed with many of these plants and herbs that are used to make these supplements and herbal medicines, they just put them in a capsule and they are expensive,” Mr. Kamanga said.

Mr. Kamanga urged Zambians not to shun authentic herbal medicines like Aloe Vera which he said have been proven to be high in nutrients, but instead increase research on how such plants can be exploited for maximum benefit.

And Diabetes Association of Zambia Mufulira Coordinator, Gilbert Mukuka said the workshop was a trainer of trainers workshop to equip diabetic patients with knowledge on how they can exploit natural foods and plants to manage the disease while also continuing on hospital treatment.

Dr. Mukuka said the increase in the number of people living with diabetes is slowly putting a strain on health facilities.

This strain will be reduced if patients know how to better manage the disease using herbal supplements, he added.