Herbalists awarded for local medicines
Nov 03, 2003
THE Rukararwe Partnership Workshop for Rural Development (RPWRD) has won a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) award for its outstanding innovation partnering programme. To receive it was Nyine Bitahwa and Anke Weisheit.
THE Rukararwe Partnership Workshop for Rural Development (RPWRD) has won a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) award for its outstanding innovation partnering programme. To receive it was Nyine Bitahwa and Anke Weisheit.
RPWRD produces medicine from local herbs. Bitahwa says RPWRD was formed to complimenting scarce conventional medicine and has made a great difference in the lives of the people of Masaka. He says 80% of Ugandan’s population relies on herbal medicine and advised herbalists to start cultivating medicinal herbs on a large scale.
The drying process of the herbs is done inside a hut at the room temperature. “We are Eco-friendly and see no need to using artificial heat, as direct sunlight destroys the natural components in the herbs.†she said.
The medicines sold include cures for malaria, athma, sinusitis, menstrual cramps and fungal infections. The herbs are in powder and liquid form.
They are also some herbs particularly rich in minerals which are on highly by HIV/AIDS patients.
The team of herbalists work with trained nurses who make proper diagnoses of patients. This is all part of bridging the gap between indigenous herbal medicinal knowledge and modern medicine.
Bitahwa explains that Rukarawe is built firmly on the respect for biological diversity which is an area of extreme importance under the environmental mandate of UNEP.
The herbalists select rare herbs that are on high demand and grow them in the RPWRD nurseries.
When harvesting the herbs Bitahwa says not all of the herbs grown are harvested, some are left to form a reservoir for future generations and to build the collectors capacity to improve their practices.
RPWRD produces medicine from local herbs. Bitahwa says RPWRD was formed to complimenting scarce conventional medicine and has made a great difference in the lives of the people of Masaka. He says 80% of Ugandan’s population relies on herbal medicine and advised herbalists to start cultivating medicinal herbs on a large scale.
The drying process of the herbs is done inside a hut at the room temperature. “We are Eco-friendly and see no need to using artificial heat, as direct sunlight destroys the natural components in the herbs.†she said.
The medicines sold include cures for malaria, athma, sinusitis, menstrual cramps and fungal infections. The herbs are in powder and liquid form.
They are also some herbs particularly rich in minerals which are on highly by HIV/AIDS patients.
The team of herbalists work with trained nurses who make proper diagnoses of patients. This is all part of bridging the gap between indigenous herbal medicinal knowledge and modern medicine.
Bitahwa explains that Rukarawe is built firmly on the respect for biological diversity which is an area of extreme importance under the environmental mandate of UNEP.
The herbalists select rare herbs that are on high demand and grow them in the RPWRD nurseries.
When harvesting the herbs Bitahwa says not all of the herbs grown are harvested, some are left to form a reservoir for future generations and to build the collectors capacity to improve their practices.