Herbalist in Kenya

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A herbalist is a person who dedicates his life to the economical and medicinal uses of plants. A herbalist skilled in the collection, culturing and harvesting of medicinal plants is called a wildcrafter. A traditional Chinese herbalist is trained or skilled in dispensing herbal prescriptions.

All cultures in the world, have used plants for therapeutic use. In India, traditional Ayurveda were trained and skilled in dispensing herbal prescriptions in the Ayurveda tradition. A herbalist in Kenya may engage in wild crafting, the cultivation of herbs. This may include the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and dispensing the herbal medication.

Qualifications of a Herbalist in Kenya

A herbalist in Kenya is skilled in therapeutic use of medicinal plants. The professional is  trained in herbalism or the use of botanical medicine to treat others. Professionals in this field may include naturopaths, holistic medical doctors, researchers, herbal farmers, medicine makers, native healers and even writers.

Education levels and backgrounds of these professionals vary depending on the geographic locations. A herbalist in Kenya may rely upon apprenticeship and recognition from the local community instead of formal schooling. In recent times, formalized training and minimum education levels are beginning to be adapted. Like in many countries, no uniformity exists in herbal medicine training courses or certification commission.

Qualifications for a herbalist in Kenya may vary from a diploma to a masters degree. In the western world, many who practice apothecary have historical backgrounds of herbalists. Herbalists that were already practicing, took their apothecary herbal products to full scale commercial endeavors. They become affiliated with or found companies that manufacture commercial herbal products mostly in liquid form.

A herb is any plant or part of a plant utilized for its therapeutic properties. Minerals and animal substances are also included as herbal medicine in the World Herbal Tradition. Herbal Medicine is the science or art of using herbs for promoting natural health, mainly through preventing and treating illnesses.

The World primary means of treating disease and fighting infection has been the use of herbs since the beginning of time. About 80 % of the worlds population depends essentially on the traditional herbal healing practices. Even before documented history over 5000 years ago, evidence supports the use of herbs.

The body of the Ice Man Otzi,  frozen for about 5300 years, was found with medicinal herbs among personal effects.The Iceman used herbs to treat the intestinal parasites in his gut. Similar discoveries have been made in ancient Egyptian tombs and beside the  Neanderthal’s remains. All graves contained pollens and traces of herbs.

Differences in Using a Doctor and a Herbalist in Kenya

Treatment from a herbalist in Kenya is likely to be given after a constitutional analysis of the patient. This differs from conventional doctors who are likely to diagnose the disease and embark on a radical attack of the disease. The herbalist treats the patient rather than the disease.

The herbalist in Kenya is likely to treat people as individuals irrespective of their condition or disease. This approach involves the stimulation of the innate healing powers of the body using herbal interventions. The herbal interventions usually include adjustments in diet and lifestyle of the patient.

Convectional medical practice usually involves attacking the disease using strong chemicals that are difficult for the body to process. This often leads to harmful side effects and drug interactions. This is likely especially if the prescription has two or more strong medications. The reaction of the drugs may cause an unstable feeling or even worse.

Convectional health care providers may also include the removal of organs. Apart from organ removal, there is also the possibility of life threatening surgery. Sometimes these operations may prove to be deadlier than the diseases.

Conventional medicine also tends to ignore the unique make up of individuals. Usually, different individuals who react differently to a disease or condition, are likely to be prescribed the same medications. Many patients under this kind of care may exhibit side effects worse than the diseases being treated.

There exists profound philosophical differences between a conventional doctor and a herbalist in Kenya. Even one herbalist will differ widely from other herbalists. Their love and respect for the relationship between plants and people is one strong unifying factor among herbalists.

A herbalist in Kenya may also provide symptomatic relief from minor ailments. Herbalists offer safe therapeutic products for your health care programs. These products prevent and treat diseases. They also maximize your health potential. Acupuncturists, physicians and midwives could also be practicing herbalists.

Herbal Education Resources and Challenges of a Herbalist in Kenya

Herbalism, also referred to as traditional folk medicine, involves the use of plants and plant extracts. Fungal and bee products also fall under the scope of herbal products. Plants have evolved the ability to synthesize chemical compounds that help them fight off predators including fungi, insects and herbivores.

In some instances, these compounds are toxic to plant predators but beneficial to treating human diseases. These chemical compounds attach themselves to receptor molecules in the body in order to mediate their effects on the body. This process is similar to one usually observed using conventional medicine. Their mode of operation is not different from conventional medicine. They are just as effective and they sometimes also have the potential to cause harmful side effects.

The discoveries, cautions and safety information from indigenous tribes have been passed down to the herbalist in Kenya.  However inappropriate formulation, adulteration and misunderstanding of these plants can be very dangerous. Drug interactions may lead to severe reactions that may prove lethal.

In many instances, the herbalist in Kenya has learned directly from sick animals by observation. Sick animals tend to change their food preferences. They begin to nibble at the bitter herbs they once neglected. Biologists have also observed the same tendencies in the wild. The diverse species include chimpanzees, sheep, chicken and butterflies.

The lowland gorilla takes a 90% fruit diet from a plant species closely related to the ginger plant. The plant is a potent antimicrobial that keeps shigellosis and similar infections at bay. Captive gorillas suffer fibrosing cardiomyopathy that forest gorillas have protection from.

The herbalist in Kenya has also observed birds that select nesting materials that are rich in antimicrobial agents.This protects their young from harmful bacteria. Secondary metabolites such as tannins and alkaloids form sick animals preferred diets.

Phytochemical have antibacterial, anti-fungal, antihelminthic and antiviral properties. The herbalist in Kenya has always benefited from observation of self medication in animals. Some animals digestive systems have adapted to cope with plant toxins. The Koala feeds exclusively on eucalyptus, which is dangerous to most animals. If a plant is not harmful to a particular animal it may be unsafe for humans.

Threats posed by food borne diseases has led to the use of herbs and spices in cuisine. Many herbs and spices used to season food contain useful therapeutic compounds. Recipes in tropical climate are most highly spiced because of the abundance of pathogens. The spices with most potent antimicrobial potential are preferred. Generally meat is spiced more than vegetables because veggies are more resistant to spoilage.

All plants produce chemical compounds during their normal metabolic activities. Primary metabolites include sugars and fats. Secondary metabolites are found in a smaller range of plants and are not essential in the plants basic functions. Some are found in the partial genes or specific species.

Pigments in plants are used not only to attract pollinators, but also to harvest light. This is used to protect the organisms from harmful radiation. Common weeds such as dandelion, chickweed and nettle have medicinal properties. Botanists, pharmacologists, microbiologists and natural product chemists have been combining the earth for phytochemical agents for treatment of various diseases. The herbalist in Kenya has also been on the search for dietary supplements from plants.