Traditional Medicine

In this modern era, the traditional medicine is still important to society. Nowadays, most people in Zambia are resorting to traditional healers and herbalists who claim that are able to solve problems ranging from bringing good luck, penis enlargement, beauty enhancement, passing examinations among others. Traditional healers are people who make others believe in their customs and practices in order to make them get well or to heal them while herbalists give medicinal herbs which are mainly extracted from plants therefore, Traditional medicine is basically a combination of beliefs, facts, customs, practices as well as medicinal herbs. These are usually passed on from one generation to another. Although most people are resorting to traditional medicine, it has its own merits and demerits as discussed below.
Most rural dwellers of the country still rely on traditional healers due to a number of constraints. One of which is lack of medical facilities or they simply reside too far away to access modern medical services during an emergency. For example most people in rural areas do not have an easy access to medical centers compared to traditional healers hence tend to go to them (traditional healers). Though it has been found that even people residing near modern medical facilities patronize these traditional health establishments. In fact, traditional healers live and practice their trade among the communities they live in and so understand their patients’ beliefs and customs better.
Lower cost is another advantage to herbal medicine. Herbs cost much less than prescription medications. Research, testing, and marketing add considerably to the cost of prescription medicines. Herbs tend to be inexpensive compared to drugs.
Herbal medicines tend to be more effective for long-standing health complaints that don't respond well to pharmaceutical drugs. One example is the herbs and alternative remedies used to treat arthritis. Vioxx, a well-known prescription drug used