evident in the common practice among TPs of collecting some plant species
only at certain times of the day, specified times of the year or a particular
stage of the plant’s development.
Traditional dosage forms
The most common dosage forms used by TPs are aqueous infusions (for
both internal and external use), poultices, snuffs, powders (internal/external
use), ointments, inhalations, enemas and vaginal washes. These may be
prepared using fresh or dried plant material (whole, powdered or in small
pieces). Powders for internal use may be mixed with gruel or porridge,
whereas ointments are usually prepared using plant oils or animal fats as a
base. Inhalations may be moist (plant material added to boiling water and
the steam inhaled or directed to specific body parts) or dry (dried herbs
placed on heated stones and the smoke inhaled). Both single and multi-
component preparations are prescribed.
The WHO Traditional Medicines Programme and Africa
Acknowledging for the first time the potential of traditional medical prac-
tice for the expansion of health services, the World Health Assembly (WHA)
passed a number of resolutions:
1 Drawing attention (1976) to the personnel reserve constituted by TPs^28
2 Urging member states (1977) to utilise their traditional systems of
medicine^29
3 Calling for a comprehensive approach (1978) to the subject of
medicinal plants;^30 this approach was to include:
- an inventory and therapeutic classification, periodically updated, of
medicinal plants used in different countries - scientific criteria and methods for assessing the safety of medicinal
plant products and their efficacy in the treatment of specific
conditions/diseases - international standards and specifications for identity, purity,
strength and manufacturing practices - methods for the safe and effective use of medicinal plant products
by various levels of health worker - dissemination of such information by member states
- designation of research and training centres for the study of
medicinal plants.
In 1987, the 40th WHA reaffirmed these points and, amongst other
things, urged Member States to:
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