Tropical Medicinal Herbs

Tropical Medicinal Herbs

Posted on June 15, 2011 by ARHC Ghana

By Dr Atta K. Bonsu

In the old African home, plants were gathered so naturally and applied on the sick and they were healed. Today, most people are adapted to the use of modern chemical drugs, which have resulted in many untimely deaths on the continent. In the 15th century when Europeans started coming to African continent, diseases were less and mortality rate was extremely low.

Most African, tropical shrubs and trees that we see around us are medicines for healing so many diseases, but this contemporary generation know less about the efficacy of these plants, which are almost left as common weeds. Surprisingly, to cover our shame, instead for us to go back and use these herbs, some scientists, rather, attribute the cause of rampant cases of liver and kidney diseases to the use of medicinal plants that the Creator in love has given us―a devilish delusion ever propagated by modern man.

Natural, traditional medicine must be practiced and used in the most NATURAL manner as possible if one would like to observe the effectiveness of these plants. In the olden days; our ancestors plucked herbs fresh and used them directly on cuts, wounds, swellings, pains, and as poultices, and drink (tea) which were very effective. But, today, medicinal herbs are boiled (decoction) and put in bottles and kept for so long that often lose their potency.

Like modern chemicalised drugs, some modern herbal preparations are in the form of pills, tablets and capsules similar to the products of the chemical industry, which have less curative effect on the sick. Today, even though herbs in the form of pills, tablets and capsules are potent, if herbs are gathered and used directly on the sick without processing them as the old people did, many would be saved from disease crisis and untimely deaths.

If herbs are gathered and dried not much under the sun but airy drying, to maintain their potency, then they can be kept for some time and still be used as medicine. Herbal preparations in the form of infusion and decoction, which are drunk instantly have proven to be the best way of using and administering herbs. Of course, I use herbal drugs in the form of supplements, tablets, pills and capsules, I rarely use them, herbal teas have been efficacious to me.

Interestingly, a contemporary man who is not cognizant of all these facts, consume drugs, even herbs in the processed, refined forms and always live with disease. The fact is, most people are even lazy to prepare herbs and use in their natural state— they are comfortable on only pills and tablets—unwrap them and swallow with less labour. The reason why we are dying while leaves, medicinal herbs are left on our compounds and environments as common weeds. Study the following plants, and see how you can apply them to alleviate disease and pains.

CARICA PAPAYA (PAWPAW)

Carica Papaya (Pawpaw)

I wish Ashantis, Igbos, Zulus, Wollofs, Hausas, went back to captivate their minds on the way pawpaw plant was used by our ancestors as medicine. The whole plant, down from the root, stem, leaves, saps, juice, seeds and flowers are all medicines. Papain, in that white, juicy element found in pawpaw has made it the greatest antibiotic and antiseptic in the world.

The green leaf, which is bitter, tells you what a great febrifuge it could be. Remember, plants high in febrifuge property can easily cure any fever attacks and infectious diseases. The reason why I have chosen green pawpaw leaves to be my number one choice for treating malaria, typhoid fever, jaundice and hepatitis. Just grind or marsh or pound the leaf, mix with about 3 glasses of water, strain and drink a glass in the morning, afternoon and evening. This often saves the sick within a few days’ use, with fruits and wholesome meals.

The dry, brown looking pawpaw leaves should not be thrown away as weed, they are highly medicinal, the best tonic nature can provide. My prescription for fibroids, cysts and hard lumps and masses and hernia include brown pawpaw leaves. Combining the green and brown leaves and taken as infusion with honey and lemon juice brings relieve to sickle cell patient within a very short time. (Details and general use of pawpaw leaves as medicines can be obtained from the following books written by Dr. Atta K Bonsu.

Eight Laws of Health