The Sunday Mail
August 31 was set aside by the United Nations as the African Traditional Medicine Day, and the day passed by with very few people noticing. Unlike other important days that are celebrated amid pomp and fanfare, stakeholders in the African traditional medicine sector largely ignored the day.It is estimated that 80 percent of Africans rely on traditional medicine for their basic health needs. In some rural and remote outposts, traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable. The contribution of traditional medicine as a major healthcare services provider cannot be underestimated.
The lack of commemorations also came at a time when African traditional medicine is at great risk with hundreds of medicinal plants at risk of extinction. According to Botanic Gardens Conservation International, many medicinal plants are at risk of extinction due to over-harvesting and deforestation.
Researchers argue that the extinction of certain medicinal plants is threatening the discovery of future cures for cancer and HIV. Experts maintain that over 50 percent of prescription drugs are derived from chemicals first identified in plants. One of the important medicinal plants that is facing extinction is African ginger (siphonochilus aethiopicus, tsangamidzi).
There is growing concern regarding the critically low populations of the plant in Southern Africa. The variety facing extinction grows naturally in the wild. African ginger is highly valued for its medicinal value and it has been over-harvested to the point of near-extinction.
African ginger was one of the talking points at the recent United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) meeting in South Africa. South Africa proposed the inclusion of the plant on the Cites Appendix I, which lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is closely controlled. Harvesting ginger in the wild is illegal in South Africa.
In Swaziland, the few remaining wild populations are not secure, even in protected areas. Herbalists are reported to have encroached national reserves to illegally harvest the plant. Mozambique is also reported to be facing the same situation. African ginger, which can be used for treating numerous ailments, is one of the most commonly traded plants in Southern Africa. It is used to treat coughs, colds, malaria and to ease menstrual pain. And in addition to being used as a protective charm, it also has veterinary value. Some people believe ginger protects them from snake attacks and lightning.
The underground stem and roots are chewed to treat asthma, hysteria, colds, coughs and flu. According to online sources, several studies have demonstrated ginger’s ability to defeat several types of cancer cells, including some of the most aggressive and difficult to treat. Ginger is believed to fight lung, ovarian, colon, breast, skin carcinoma, prostate, and pancreatic cancer cells. In Harare, it is sold at many street corners.
According to DelicacyZim, a cuisine website, ginger is not only used to add flavour to culinary dishes but can also be used to treat digestive problems and heartburn (nyon’o). Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, president of the Zimbabwe National Practitioners’ Association, said ginger and other medicinal plants were close to extinction.
“We used to grow ginger in the wetlands but now we are importing it from South Africa. Chifumuro, a medicinal plant which can cure a number of diseases, is now extinct.”
Sekuru Chisanyu said the extinction was a result of commercial agricultural activities and over-harvesting. Interestingly, the World Intellectual Property Organisation lists some European companies as having “discovered” the medicinal qualities derived from the African ginger, and registered patents.
In 2002, the US food and drug administration rejected a new dietary ingredient submission for African ginger made by Power Africa on the basis that it was determined to be an unapproved new drug and, as such, prohibited from being sold. Sekuru Chisanyu spoke about Western “hypocrisy” regarding approval of traditional drugs and issuance of patents.
“It is not a secret that Western scientists depend on traditional healers for their so-called discoveries. The bad part is that they make it impossible for us to come up with patents since the process involved requires a lot of money,” noted Sekuru Chisanyu.
