Lagos (Vanguard Daily, November 25, 2000) - Since after the 2nd World War, scientists had made brilliant advancement technologically. Today, through the knowledge of analytical chemistry and biological studies, the knowledge of healing with herbs or medicinal plants have increased through the identification and isolation of their so-called "active ingredients."

With this most of the so-called "claims" by African traditional healers are being verified, evaluated and validated. Also, most of the negative motions associated with herbal medicine and its practice in the past are now being removed.

The present-day humanity is experiencing a transformation and there is an irresistible wind of change blowing across the entire universe. A fundamental transformation is also occurring in all aspects of our lives and existence, consequently, much has transpired in the fields of medicine, nutrition and herbal therapeutics.

There is an increased awareness, that the physical body which is a product of nature would be best nourished, strengthened, healed and protected against diseases with organic materials like foods, and herbs which are equally products of nature. Together with this is the fact that, there are today numerous tragedies and side effects associated with products of human technology. Consequently, most people are now looking for very safe alternatives-that will not only restore the body's innate healing powers, but will also harmonise with the natural principles or laws which are the expression of the will of God. This is the main reason why the long forgotten herbal medicine practice - which is absolutely in tune with nature is making a progressive "come back". In order to take its rightful and well-deserved place especially among we Africans.

It is on record, that more than 80% of world's population rely primarily on traditional medicine for their health-care needs. But to ensure an appropriate use of medicinal herbs by patients and physicians as well - without encountering any harmful effects or misuse made the World Health governing body (WHO) in 1991, in its 4th World Health Assembly to approve its 44 - 34 Resolution which encourages all its member nations including the African countries to promote the use of traditional harmless, efficient and scientifically proven remedies.

This fundamental World Health policy has generated a lot of interest and research efforts among scientists all over the world, even among African physicians, pharmacists, botanists etc - in most of the indigenous health care system which is predominantly based on the use of herbs.

Presently, there is the inter-African committee of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) for traditional medicine and the members are working in collaboration with other international organisations like the WHO, UNESCO etc. and as at today, more than 15,000 active ingredients has been isolated from well over 200 species of plants - most of which were found to be growing luxuriantly and abundantly in tropical Africa forests. These plants' active ingredients had been found to provide drugs in many therapeutic categories such as: life saving antibiotics anti-malaria, analgesics, anti-inflammatory steroids, cardia tonics, hypotensive tranquilisers, sedatives, etc.

The World Health Oraganisation reported in its Bulletin - vol. 65 page 159, that well over 25% of the medicines sold in most of the pharmaceutical shops all over the world were sourced directly from medicinal plants. Most importantly, most of these medicinal herbs are found here in Africa.

It is only recently that most human health researchers and investigators have come to realise that Africa is a continent that is richly blessed with almost 80% of world's total renewable natural resources (i.e. medicinal plants) which if harnessed properly by Africans themselves could as had been rightly predicted long ago revolutionise the entire health and medical fields - in terms of providing most of the World's best holistic health care needs - both for curative and preventive purposes.

With the renewable natural resources that are available in the tropical rainforest and Savannah lands, most African countries could be self-sufficient in health matters. Also, tropical medicinal plants could become a very big foreign-exchange earner for many African countries - e.g. in the provision of natural raw materials for the multi-national pharmaceutical industries all over the world.

It is on record that in 1986 alone, the government of Cameroon earned about 3 billion Francs (CFA) through the exportation of some medicinal plants to the developed countries of the world. The correct exploitation of these naturally endowed resources will not only create numerous job opportunities, establishment of research and educational centres that will provide reliable scientific information on the proper use of herbs to the people, but will above all ensure the preservation of the individual, family community and nations mental and physical health.