Q1. Are using medicinal plants or herbs not against good religious practices?
A. From Genesis 1:29 “And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; it shall be for food’.”
God created plants for the use of humans; the plants may be used in form of food, vegetables or medicines. There is nothing wrong or against religious faith by using plants for medicine.
As an example, quinine the active ingredient to curing malaria was first discovered in a plant known as Cinchona before it was possible to synthesize it using modern technology. The current therapy for malaria Artemisin in the ACT treatment is currently derived from a plant as well.
Q2. Could there be side effects as a result of use of medicinal plants?
A. Yes, there could be. The side effects will vary from plant to plant depending on the active ingredients. E.g. Datura stramonium (common name: Jimson weed) is highly intoxicating.
Q3. Have all the medicinal plants properties been scientifically confirmed?
A. Only a few of the plants have been scientifically confirmed to be of medicinal use. Therefore there are a lot of challenges ahead for inquisitive scientific minds as well as entrepreneurial people to commercialize the discovery from such research
Q4. Where can I get medicinal plants?
A. Medicinal plants are available in all communities in the world. However, location and distribution of many medicinal plants are dependent on climate and geographical settings. In a particular country e.g. Nigeria, medicinal plants available and used in South west Nigeria may be unknown in the Northern parts and vice versa.
Finding them for use may not be as difficult as first seems. People living in the rural communities especially the elderly have a good idea of what plants to use for what ailments and where they can be found in the vicinity. But one needs to be careful to corroborate such advice as best as possible before use.
Some formally trained medical practioners are also getting adept at identifying and prescribing medicinal plants as an alternative for some of the common illness we have that may require expensive manufactured drugs.
Q5. How do I know the right medicinal plant to use amongst many available plants?
A. Consult your doctor or experts on medicinal plants as to the right choice. Please note that as some plants are beneficial, some are poisonous: therefore take caution.
