1.1 Background to the Study
Throughout history, all cultures have
employed a variety of plants or plant derived materials for the
prevention and treatment of diseases (H.B. et al., 1983; O.,1987). In
developing countries as much as 80% of the indigenous populations depend
on traditional systems of medicine and medicinal plants and their
primary source of health care (R.B. et al,1983; WHO, 2001). The world
Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional medicine (TM) as the total
combination of knowledge and practices whether explicable or not used
in diagnosing, preventing or eliminating physical, mental or social
diseases, which may rely exclusively on past experience and observation
handed down from generation to generation verbally or otherwise (WHO,
2001). This strategy promotes the integration into health systems of
traditional medicine for which evidence on safety, efficiency and
quality is available and the generation of such evidence when it is
lacking.
The Alma- At a declaration of 1978, the
relevant recommendations of WHO governing bodies and the orientations of
the Regional Health for all policy for the 21st Century underscored the
importance of traditional medicine and its practitioners in primary
health care. Despite these policies, only a few countries have developed
national policies, legal frame works and codes of conduct for the
practice of traditional medicine.
Herbal therapy is widely accepted and is
used as an alternative in the prevention and treatment of physical
mental disorders as well as infectious diseases and anti social
behaviours attributable to spiritual causes. Due to its intrinsic
qualities, unique and holistic approaches as well as its accessibility
and affordability, it continues to be the best alternative health care
available for the majority of the global population, particularly for
those in the rural areas of developing countries (Mwambazi and W.C.
1996). Among the successes achieved by herbal medicine is thatany drugs
in clinical use today were discovered from the ways plants were used in
traditional communities. Examples include quinine which was discovered
from the way traditional communities in South America especially Peru,
Columbia and Bolivia used plants species of the genus Cinchona in
managing fevers. Thus emphasis is now being laid on traditional medicine
as an alternative to Orthodox medicine more than ever before. This
especially true in developing countries like Nigeria.
1.2 Problem Statement
A previous study conducted found liquid
and powdered herbal medicines prepared locally by herbalists to have
high levels of bacterial contamination (M.Justin et al.,1998). The large
number of isolated micro organisms from the samples could pose a risk
of acquisition of pathogenic microbial agents to those taking these
herbal mixtures. This observation prompts the need to know the effect
microbiological on locallyade herbs sold in Enugu state.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The major objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of micro bacterial on locally made herbs sold on Enugu state.
1.4 Research Questions
(1) what are locally made herbs?
(2) what are their benefits and uses?
(3) How are they produced?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study gives a clear insight into
the effect of micro bacterial on locally made herbs sold in Enugu star.
This findings and recommendations of this research will help develop
national policies, legal framework and codes of conduct for the practice
of traditional medicine so also enforce them.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The research focuses on the effect of micro bacterial on locallyade herbs sold in Enugu State.
Refrences
H.B. Mathews, G.W. Lucifer and K.D. Fisher, Environ. Health Perspective, 107 (1999) 773-778.
M. Justin Temu, E.F. Lyamuya, C. Makwaya, P.R. Antony and D. Mloka, Afr. J. Health Sci. 5(1998) 140- 143.
Mwambazi, W.C. (1996). WHO partnership
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Abebe, D. (end). Proceedings of the Workshops on Development and
Utilization of Herbal Remedies in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa. EHNRI 26-7.
Promoting the Role of Traditional Medicine in Health Systems. A Strategy of the African Region, WHO AFR/RC 50/9 (2001)3
Promoting the Rational Use of
Traditional Medicine in Health Systems: A strategy for the African
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R.B. Bannenman, J. Burton and C.
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