Herbalism is a medical practice that is based on the use of plants and herbs to treat diseases and illnesses. It dates back 5000 years to the oldest of civilisations. Archaeologists have been able to prove that in certain countries, herbalism goes back 60,000 years ago, to establish that it has kept man alive for so long and has been present from the very beginning of the evolution of mankind.

Modern medicine has established itself in the medical area, with continuous advancement of technology, leaving herbalism to take the back seat. And yet one may wonder, is traditional medicine a separate entity from those indigenous beliefs? Can one be without the other? 

"Modern medicine was born from traditional medicine long ago before man discovered technology could be used in medicine. This is when herbs were the only means to give medical care, and with time, medicine evolved and the discovery that herbs and plants could be manufactured into a chemical product. And to simply state it, one is the foundation of the other,” says Modeste Nzayisenga Rutangarwamaboko, the founder of Rwandan Cultural Psychotherapy. 

Traditional medicine isn’t a far-fetched idea that our ancestors practiced, it can be found in many ways and forms in modern times. Simple nutrition to eat protein and vitamin food is a traditional alternative, when a mother has trouble breastfeeding her child, she drinks a lot of sorghum porridge to boost her milk. 

Nzayisenga notes that nutrition and herbalism are more interconnected than many realise. Wheat and sorghum were known in ancient times to produce good brewed alcohol than these alcohol drinks that are brewed with chemical substances that many don’t even know. 

"Modern medicine exposes our bodies to chemical substances that sometimes deteriorate our health before curing the illness, and so one is worse off than when they got sick. There has been research to prove that the body reacts well to natural substances,” he notes. 

Nzayisenga believes that the true essence of traditional medicine has been lost and so people are ready to embrace the modern ways of medicine without giving herbalism a try. 

"Although one can’t deny that traditional medicine stands as a great foundation to modern medicine, one can’t help but admire the evolution of medicine to this period. Modern medicine is more complex and specific; the science is more advanced and so it helps doctors be ahead of the disease,” says Didier Manzi, a medical laboratory scientist at Dream Medical Center Hospital. 

He notes that to treat an illness, accuracy is needed and that is a factor that herbalism can’t provide, modern medicine provides the necessary tools and tests to pinpoint what the problem is and the treatment needed. 

"My grandmother used to treat children with jiggers using cow urine, 30 minutes with their feet in the bucket of cow urine would give good results. But I have also witnessed modern medicine treating the same illness with Dimeticone, and so both mechanisms have shown great outcomes. Both practices have their limitations and advantages and whatever works for the patient will not be denied to him,” says Manzi.  

Elite Learning released an article to educate people on traditional medicine with relevant factors. Traditional medicine has evolved and its prevalence and practice are growing throughout the world. And yet those administered herbs can be fatal to certain individuals. In addition, there is less regulation in place for the safety of those herbs, modern prescription has the insurance they have tested for their safety and efficacy, while the same can’t be said concerning herbal medicine.