Tracing The Origin Of Traditional African Medicine... As Summer Bonanza Continues At Quincy Herbals

 Quincy herbals, a front-line practitioner in the Nigerian herbal industry, is still on with its summer bonanza promo. A statement from the herbal outfit, which was made available to Nigeria Natural Health Online, reads: "Summer Bonanza is still on! big discount on tummy blasting, slimming garri, skin lightening/treatment & more! BBM 7EF8884F, Whatsapp/call/ Sms 08033147414 --- Quincy Herbals". 

Traditional African medicine is a holistic discipline involving indigenous herbalism and typically involving midwives and herbalists. Practitioners of traditional African medicine use herbs to cure various and diverse conditions such as cancers, psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, cholera, most venereal diseases, epilepsy, asthma, eczema, fever, anxiety, depression, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract infections, gout, and healing of wounds and burns.

In traditional African medicine, with its belief that illness is not derived from chance occurrences, but through spiritual or social imbalance, differing greatly from Western medicine, which is technically and analytically based. In the 21st century, modern pharmaceuticals and medical procedures remain inaccessible to large numbers of African people due to their relatively high cost and concentration of health centres in urban centres.

Before the establishment of cosmopolitan medicine, traditional medicine was the dominant medical system for millions of people in Africa but the arrival of the Europeans was a noticeable turning point in the history of this ancient tradition and culture. Herbal medicines in Africa are becoming more researched with stronger regulations. However, there is a lack of the detailed documentation of the traditional knowledge, which is generally transferred orally.

Modern science has, in the past, considered methods of traditional knowledge as primitive and backward but recent realities are proving otherwise as traditional African medicines are now being standardized and made into tablets, capsules, liquid and powder. Under colonial rule, traditional diviner-healers were outlawed because they were considered by many nations to be practitioners of witchcraft and declared illegal by the colonial authorities, creating a war against witchcraft and magic. During this time, attempts were also made to control the sale of herbal medicines.

After Mozambique obtained independence in 1975, attempts to control traditional medicine went as far as sending diviner-healers to re-education camps. As colonialism and Christianity spread through Africa, colonialists built general hospitals and Christian missionaries built private ones, with the hopes of making headway against widespread diseases. Little was done to investigate the legitimacy of these practices, as many foreigners believed that the native medical practices were pagan and superstitious and could only be suitably fixed by inheriting Western methods. 

Traditional practitioners use a wide variety of treatments ranging from herbs to biomedical methods such as fasting and dieting, herbal therapies, bathing, massage, and surgical procedures.  Migraines, coughs, abscesses, and pleurisy are often treated using the method of "bleed-cupping" after which an herbal ointment is applied with follow-up herbal drugs.

Some cultures also rub hot herbal ointment across the patient's eyelids to cure headaches. Malaria is treated by both drinking and using the steam from an herbal mixture. Fevers are often treated using a steam bath. 

Also, vomiting is induced, or emetics, in an attempt to cure some diseases. For example, raw beef is soaked in the drink of an alcoholic person to induce vomiting and nausea and treat alcoholism. In the Bight of Benin, the natives have been known to use the fat of a boa constrictor to cure gout and rheumatism, and it also is thought to relieve chest pain when rubbed into the skin. Approximately 60%-80% of the people in Africa rely on traditional remedies to treat themselves for various diseases. A large percentage of the people in South Africa also rely on traditional remedies to treat their animals for various diseases.

In Nigeria, a greater number of people living in urban areas are gradually embracing herbal medicines as opposed to their orthodox counterparts. This has become a formidable force checkmating the influx of foreign herbal medicines, especially those from Asia, into the country...
( To be continued )

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What Quantity Of Water Should You Drink Everyday?

Water is essential to good health, yet needs vary by individual. These guidelines can help ensure you drink enough fluids.By Mayoclinic.

How much water should you drink each day? It's a simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.


Although no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body's need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day.

Health benefits of water

Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells, and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.
Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

How much water do you need?

Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.
So how much fluid does the average,a  healthy adult need? The American Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 liters) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of total beverages a day. This however, varies from people to people depending on whether they live on the temperate or tropic zones.

What about the advice to drink 8 glasses a day?

Everyone has heard the advice, "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day." That's about 1.9 liters, which isn't that different from the Institute of Medicine recommendations. Although the "8 by 8" rule isn't supported by hard evidence, it remains popular because it's easy to remember. Just keep in mind that the rule should be reframed as: "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," because all fluids count toward the daily total.

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Why We Want To Stem The Tide Of Noise Pollution In Lagos - Lawmakers

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the state Ministry of Information and Strategy to embark on public enlightenment campaign to sensitise the public on the hazards of noise pollution. This followed a motion moved by Mr Abiodun Tobun seconded by Mr Bisi Yusuf during a plenary under Matters of Urgent Public Importance.

The Assembly observed that there were regulations of management of noise which were not enforced by the executive in the state.

According to the lawmakers, who took turns to express dissatisfaction the menace, noise pollution poses to health and there is a need to stem its tide in the state.

Tobun decried the high level of noise pollution arising from the blaring of music by vendors, street party organisers, religious organisations and outdoor advertisers.

He also frowned at indiscriminate use of horns by motorists and cyclists on major highways in the states.

“The high level of noise has become a major source of health hazard as recently raised by the Nigeria Hearing and Speech Association (NHSA) that more Nigerians are suffering from hear impairment as a result of noise pollution.

“Noise pollution has increased the risk of hypertension and other incurable diseases and must be stemmed. There is no proper enforcement of Section 9 (a) of the LASEPA Law 1996, aimed at controlling noise pollution in a cosmopolitan state like Lagos with over 15 million residents,” he said.

In his view, Yusuf said that the best way to go about the issue was to ensure the proper enforcement of the existing regulation.

Mr Oluyinka Ogundimu (APC-Agege 2) said: “Lagosians will comply willingly if the affected agencies carry out necessary enlightenment and education; enlightenment will solve this problem.”

In his view, Mr Emeka Idimogu called for caution on the issue saying “we should use a persuasive approach in addressing it.

“We all made noise during the electioneering campaign and noise has become a part of us, we can’t change it overnight,” he said.

Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said that the House would work on regulation.

“What we should do is to work on how to regulate it and we should not be harsh about it,” he said.
The Assembly, after a voice vote, passed the resolution calling for more public enlightenment.

It also called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the General Manager of the state Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to discharge the statutory responsibility conferred on it by Section 9 (a) of the state Environmental Protection Agency Law, 1996.

The House also called on the state Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture to ensure that the use of public address systems was discouraged within the community so as not to disturb peace and tranquility.

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Buhari Orders Probe Into Chlorine Killing In Nigeria

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in Abuja directed a thorough investigation into the chlorine gas explosion in Jos, Plateau state in Nigeria.

In a message of commiseration to the families of the victims, government and people of the state, the president said an investigation into the incident was necessary to avoid recurrence.

“The investigation should unravel the fact as to whether this was just an accident. Whatever is the case, we need to get to the bottom of this unfortunate and tragic incident,’’ the president said.

The explosion early on 25 July killed no fewer than eight persons, with 112 people injured. The injured are now being treated in four hospitals in Jos.

 A chlorine cylinder belonging to the Plateau State government exploded over the weekend at the Lamingo water dam in Jos, leaving eight people dead.

The victims had inhaled the poisonous gas emitted by the explosion. Chlorine is used in treating water for human consumption.

Over a hundred other people who inhaled the gas however escaped death but were rushed to OLA Hospital, Evangel Hospital  (Jankwano), Plateau Specialist Hospital and Air Force Hospital for treatment.

The Director of press and public affairs to Governor Simeon Lalong, Samuel Nanle confirmed the incident.
He said some of those taken to the hospital had been discharged, adding that the contamination had been contained and “does not affect the water which has been supplied to public mains; water from the public mains is safe for consumption and is not affected in anyway by the Arial contamination of Chlorine from the exploded cylinder.”

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Bad Breath And How To Go About It

No one likes to hear it, but it's worse not to know it: You have bad breath.

Bad breath (also known as halitosis or malodor) can be embarrassing and tough on those around you. Some people don't realize their breath could peel paint because people are afraid to tell them.

"Certainly bad breath can ruin relationships," John Woodall, DDS, a dentist with Woodall and McNeill in Raleigh, N.C., said.

 Fortunately, this problem is often easy to fix. What helps: Good oral hygiene, regular visits to your dentist, and ruling out any underlying conditions or other factors (such as some medications, diets, and foods) that could make your breath less than pleasant.

Do You Have Bad Breath?

Bad breath is often caused by a buildup of bacteria in your mouth that causes inflammation and gives off noxious odors or gases that smell like sulfur -- or worse.

Everybody has nasty breath at some point, like when you get out of bed in the morning.

Not sure if your breath is bad? The best way to find out is to ask a trusted friend or your significant other, 

"'Does my breath smell?' Because it's really hard to tell on your own," Tina Frangella, DDS, a dentist with Frangella Dental in New York, said.

There's another way to know. It may seem a bit gross, but look at and smell your dental floss after you use it.

"If your floss smells or there is blood on it, then there are foul odors in your mouth," Woodall said.

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are no statistics on what percentage of the population has bad breath. That's because studies usually rely on someone reporting whether or not they think they have bad breath and may not be accurate.

But studies show that about 80% of bad breath comes from an oral source. For instance, cavities or gum disease can lead to bad breath, as can tonsils that have trapped food particles; cracked fillings, and less-than-clean dentures.

Several internal medical conditions also can cause your breath to go downhill fast. They include diabetes, liver disease, respiratory tract infections, and chronic bronchitis. You'll want to see your doctor to rule out things like acid reflux, postnasal drip, and other causes of chronic dry mouth (xerostomia).

Woodall recalls a 30-year-old patient who had chronic bad breath, though her teeth were "immaculate" and her tongue was very clean. Her doctor tested her for acid reflux and other stomach conditions.

See Your Dentist, Brush Your Teeth

Keep your scheduled dental appointments.

You really want to see your dentist every six months or at least yearly. Good oral hygiene also is key to fighting bad breath. Ideally, you should brush and floss after every meal to help reduce the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth.

Some mouthwashes or mouth rinses can help prevent cavities and reduce bacteria-causing plaque and fight bad breath. Stick to an antiseptic or antibacterial rinse that kills bacteria, rather than a cosmetic rinse that just focuses on freshening the breath.

Watch What You Eat

What you eat affects what you exhale. That's because as food is digested, it's absorbed into your bloodstream and then is expelled by your lungs when you breathe.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet and regular meals. Certain diets -- such as extreme fasting and very low-carb diets -- can give you bad-smelling breath.

Consider snacking on raw carrots, celery, or apple slices. It's good to have a nice watery vegetable in there - something like celery - that will help clear your mouth of debris.

Avoid breath busters such as garlic, onions, and some other spicy foods. Chronic garlic users cannot only have chronic bad breath, they also often have body odor.

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Resurgent Ebola Claims Second Victim In Liberia As Nigerian Pilgrims Undergo Screening

The resurgence of Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia has claimed a second victim. Deputy Health Minister Tolbert Nyenswah told The Associated Press the woman in her early 20s who died on July 12 was linked to the 17-year-old boy who died last month. Three other confirmed cases are being treated in Monrovia.

He said some of the more than 120 people under observation in Nedowein, southeast of Monrovia, could be discharged once they complete 21 days of quarantine and show no signs of infection.

Liberia lost more than 4,800 lives to Ebola before it contained transmission in May. These are the first known cases since then. The World Health Organization says the new cases are likely not linked to travel.

Meanwhile Prospective pilgrims for the 2015 Hajj to Saudi Arabia from Jigawa State, in Nigeria, would undergo screening for Ebola Virus and other diseases.

Executive Secretary of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Alhassan Muhammad, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Muhammad said the screening was to ascertain the health status of the prospective pilgrims before they embark on the pilgrimage.

The executive secretary recalled that Nigeria had been declared EVD-free by the World Health Organisation “but the board is taking precautionary measures to protect the state’s pilgrims from contracting the diseases.”

He said all prospective pilgrims in the state must be screened before they would be allowed to pay their fare.

He added that final screening would be conducted at the airport to stop pregnant women from embarking on the journey.

“All intending pilgrims must be screened by our medical team before they will be allowed to pay their fare.

However, concerned Nigerians who spoke with Nigeria Natural Health Online, said the directive from the Jigawa pilgrim board was as a result of the strict measure being taking by Saudi Arabia to make sure that people coming into that country are ebola free. The question now is: what measures are being taken by the Nigerian government to make sure that people coming into the country, especially from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, are certified ebola free before they come in?

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