Most individuals have a negative perception about herbal medicine as regards its safety and effectiveness. However research has proven that the use of herbal medicine is actually reliable and effective. As such, many researchers, scientists and food nutritionists gathered together in the Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA) dissemination workshop on 23rd June 2011 at Makerere University, to address this negative perception about natural medicine. The participants shared their findings and reviews on nutri-medicinal plants among others.

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Maud Kamatenesi Mugisha, Chairperson NAPRECA noted that the research network had been in existence for many years and herbal medicine is the key in health care delivery. “Although many people perceive herbal medicine as medicine for the poor and some Christians oppose using it saying that those who make it are witchdoctors, it is clear that with disease resistant microbial strains on the rise, there is need to go herbal.” She further made it clear that medicine got from nutri-medicinal and traditional plants is not poisonous as is the general perception. She however observed that it is only when the wrong (usually excess) dosage is administered that the medicine becomes poisonous.

Therefore with the steadily rising population limited to only a few, and often ill-equipped health facilities, natural products that cure diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia among others are effective for use. Uganda is steadily embracing natural products, and gone are the days when the country would depend on foreign help to carry out research on medicinal plants.

During the workshop, researchers presented their findings and reviews that were quite impressive. Alice Nabatanzi one of the researchers presented her work which was based on nutria-medicinal values of amaranthus species in Uganda which had dietary fibre, vitamins and lysine in their seeds. She named a lot of amaranthus species in Uganda that included dubius, lividus, hypochondriacus, and caudatus.

Nakibuuka Mary Magdaline, a student of Makerere University also presented her research on anti-oxidant content of nutria-medicinal African indigenous plants used in the management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic ailments in the communities of Central and Western Uganda. Among her findings were indigenous plants for example vernonia amygdalina that cures malaria, bidens pilosa which cures wounds and albizia coriarai that cures cough. These indigenous plants have been observed to reduce oxidative stress, an underlying factor which may contribute to aspects of the HIV disease such as viral replication.

Researchers however revealed that they often face a number of challenges such as; myths and stigma from people, problems when it comes to packaging due to lack of facilities for example some pack in polythene bags, and limited shelf life of some of their products. However, despite the challenges, the researchers have faith in their work and are even looking forward to attaining scholarships to help deepen their research knowledge. There will be another NAPRECA conference in Nairobi on 4th August, 2011, where the researchers hope to share their findings and gain more knowledge.

Article by Grace K. Magare, Intern, Public Relations Office, Makerere University

Most individuals have a negative perception about herbal medicine as regards its safety and effectiveness. However research has proven that the use of herbal medicine is actually reliable and effective. As such, many researchers, scientists and food nutritionists gathered together in the Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA) dissemination workshop on 23rd June 2011 at Makerere University, to address this negative perception about natural medicine. The participants shared their findings and reviews on nutri-medicinal plants among others.

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Maud Kamatenesi Mugisha, Chairperson NAPRECA noted that the research network had been in existence for many years and herbal medicine is the key in health care delivery. “Although many people perceive herbal medicine as medicine for the poor and some Christians oppose using it saying that those who make it are witchdoctors, it is clear that with disease resistant microbial strains on the rise, there is need to go herbal.” She further made it clear that medicine got from nutri-medicinal and traditional plants is not poisonous as is the general perception. She however observed that it is only when the wrong (usually excess) dosage is administered that the medicine becomes poisonous.

Therefore with the steadily rising population limited to only a few, and often ill-equipped health facilities, natural products that cure diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia among others are effective for use. Uganda is steadily embracing natural products, and gone are the days when the country would depend on foreign help to carry out research on medicinal plants.

During the workshop, researchers presented their findings and reviews that were quite impressive. Alice Nabatanzi one of the researchers presented her work which was based on nutria-medicinal values of amaranthus species in Uganda which had dietary fibre, vitamins and lysine in their seeds. She named a lot of amaranthus species in Uganda that included dubius, lividus, hypochondriacus, and caudatus.

Nakibuuka Mary Magdaline, a student of Makerere University also presented her research on anti-oxidant content of nutria-medicinal African indigenous plants used in the management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic ailments in the communities of Central and Western Uganda. Among her findings were indigenous plants for example vernonia amygdalina that cures malaria, bidens pilosa which cures wounds and albizia coriarai that cures cough. These indigenous plants have been observed to reduce oxidative stress, an underlying factor which may contribute to aspects of the HIV disease such as viral replication.

Researchers however revealed that they often face a number of challenges such as; myths and stigma from people, problems when it comes to packaging due to lack of facilities for example some pack in polythene bags, and limited shelf life of some of their products. However, despite the challenges, the researchers have faith in their work and are even looking forward to attaining scholarships to help deepen their research knowledge. There will be another NAPRECA conference in Nairobi on 4th August, 2011, where the researchers hope to share their findings and gain more knowledge.

Article by Grace K. Magare, Intern, Public Relations Office, Makerere University