Phytomedicine and Allied Compounds in Both Human and Animal Healthcare

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Phytomedicine and Allied Compounds in Both Human and Animal Healthcare

Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2019, Vol 14, Issue 2

Abstract

Worldwide plants have been used for curative purposes from time immemorial. It is estimated by WHO that 80% of the population majority of this in developing countries, still rely on plant-based medicine for primary healthcare Evans [1]; Farnsworth [2]. WHO further estimated that over 80% of the population residing in developing countries depends directly on plants for their primary medical requirements Czygan [3]; WHO [4]. This is attributed to the fact that plant-derived medicines can be easily accessed and are also cheap Amin et al. [5]; Ramawat et al. [6]; WHO [5]. The use of some crude extracts whose specific evaluations have not been done could lead to serious complications, overdose and intake of toxic substances [7-10]. Ineffective herbs could also be used as a matter of belief or tradition Baker et al. [11]. In most countries, use of herbal medicine continues to coexist with modern Pharmacology Ernest [12]. The worldwide upsurge in the use of herbal preparations and active ingredients isolated from medicinal plants in healthcare Jassim et al. [13] is due to increased side effects, lack of curative treatment for several chronic diseases, high cost of new drugs, microbial resistance and emerging diseases Humber [14]. This is indicated by the growing popularity of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayuverdic medicine of India Jiang et al. [15]; Dubey et al. [16]. In Africa, the use of traditional medicine is very high as indicated by the fact that between 70 and 80% of the population depend on herbal preparations for primary healthcare with little or no scientific information on efficacy and side effects Kokwaro [17-25]. Furthermore, even the people of the developed world are also dependent directly or indirectly on plants for their health care. In the United States, 25% of the prescriptions given from community pharmacies consisted of plant extracts or active ingredients of plant origin Cragg et al. [26]. In Dares Salaam, Tanzania, 21% of patients who visited public Hospitals had consulted a traditional healer before they came to hospital De Boer et al. [27]. Plant-derived medicines are offered/taken in the form of tinctures, teas, poultices and powders, depending on the knowledge of the use and application method of a particular plant for a given ailment Fennell et al. [28]; Balunas et al. [29]. It has also been demonstrated in food that Plant extracts like Polyphenols can successfully be used in food conservation thus extend self-life of such products that could otherwise go to waste due to spoilage Papuc et al. [30]. In Kenya, debate on incorporation of traditional medicine into primary health care has been going on for a while now [31-40]. There is an attempt to make a law to regulate the practice of traditional medicine by way of legislation. The Traditional Health Practitioners Bill, 2014 was published on the February 2014 and was tabled before the National Assembly by the then Chairperson of the Health Committee Rachael Nyamai. The Bill went through the first reading on 3rd June 2014 and the Committee further tabled its report on the deliberations regarding the said bill on 25th April 2015 but since then there has been no progress. If the Bill is passed into law it seeks to provide for the training, regulation and licensing of traditional practitioners so as to regulate their practice. Further, it seeks to set up traditional health practitioners’ council which is a body mandated with regulation. It also seeks to set up a Disciplinary Committee that will discipline practitioners as well as setting offenses and penalties under the said law [41-47]. Traditional societies in Africa had devised methods of providing every individual in the community with essential healthcare through acceptable and accessible means by the application of indigenous resources such as plants, animals and minerals Chhabra et al. [47]. Besides, herbal medicine takes into account every country’s socio-cultural background. the western societies have capitalized on this fact to the ignorance of other societies and either using the plant products.

Authors and Affiliations

Kihagi RW, Amuka O, Wafula AW

Keywords

Amuka O Journals on Medical Informatics Journals on Biomedical Imaging Journals on Biomedical Intervention Biomedical Research Articles Biomedical Science Articles Innovative Medicine Orphan Drugs Addictive Medicine

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EP ID EP594311
DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.14.002511
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