Posted on: Sat 24-09-2022

To integrate traditional herbal medicine into the orthodox practice, the Founder, Quincy Wellness and Naturopathic Centre, Dr Quincy Olasumbo Ayodele has urged the Federal Government to regulate and promote the proper practice of traditional medicine in the country through the passage of the Traditional Medicine Bill.

Ayodele, who is also a World Health Organisation (WHO) Committee Member On Development Of Natural Medicine during a briefing in Lagos, recently, said there should be enabling laws to regulate the practice of herbal medicine.

According to her, medicinal plants in Nigeria are being under-utilised, despite rising global demand for herbal medication. “Herbal and traditional medicine is supposed to be a cultural way of not only treating people but also diagnosing different types of health problems.”

Ayodele further said it was imperative to educate people on the use of traditional medicine and the fact that it is not a threat to orthodox medical treatment.

“Herbal and traditional medicine is supposed to be a cultural way of not only treating people but also diagnosing different types of health problems. We are supposed to be a nation that is supported by nature; we have all the natural resources around us. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic was a test that forced everyone to go back to nature through the use of traditional medicine concoction.”  

She continued: Traditional medicine is all that we had before the emergence of modern medicine. And the same applies to all cultures and civilisations. The continued interest and research into traditional medicine is the right way to go for further development of these ancient herbs in Nigeria.”

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