MEDICINAL PLANTS RESEARCH IN THREE CONTINENTS

"For far too long, traditional systems of medicine and "modern" medicine have gone their separate ways in mutual antipathy. Yet, are not their goals identical - to improve the health of mankind and thereby the quality of life? Only the blinkered mind would assume that each has nothing to learn from the other. Unfortunately that divergence between the two systems of the world between the rich and the poor. In some parts of the world, even when modern medical care is available, the majority actually prefer the traditional healer, whom they know and trust. This is why WHO has proposed that the great numbers of traditional healers who practice today in virtually every country of the world should not be overlooked. For the most part they are already living in those remote communities, intimately involved with the life there, conscious of their neighbour's needs and trusted by them. Let us not be in any doubt: modern medicine has a great deal still to learn from the collector of herbs. Whatever the outcome of such scientific testing, there is not doubt that the judicious use of such herbs, flowers and other plants for palliative purposes in primary health care can make a major contribution towards reducing a developing countries drug bill".

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