The legislative and regulatory framework governing herbal medicine use and practice in Kenya: a review

Complementary and alternative medicine is an integral component of primary healthcare in Kenya. This is because the infrastructural health setup in the country is inadequate in catering for all the medical needs of the population. This particularly holds true in the rural areas where many rural folk rely on products of herbal origin to offset their healthcare needs. More often than not these products are an elaborate cacophony of several different substances of biological origin and thus need personnel adept in their preparation. Sadly, due to loopholes in legislation and regulation, quacks have a field day in the practice. Moreover, the process of planting, harvesting, preparation and storage of herbs and related products dictates that a significant number of people will ultimately be involved in the whole process. This is likely to set the stage for manipulation and compromise of the safety, quality and efficacy of these products. This state of affairs appears unabated especially in the context of the current legal and regulatory framework governing herbal medicine use and practice in Kenya. Not only are these laws inadequate, they are shrouded in ambiguity, open to interpretation and the authorities mandated to implement them often end up performing duplicate roles. The aim of this review is to critique the legal and regulatory provisions governing herbal medicine use and practice in Kenya. In conclusion, laws and regulations meant to control herbal medicine use and practice in Kenya are wanting. Clear and definitive legislation on herbal medicine use and practice coupled with effective implementation by mandated institutions will go a long way in inspiring confidence to all stakeholders of herbal medicine

Hair cosmetics.

The hair cosmetic industry has undergone a revolutionary change over the last two decades. The focus has dramatically veered from merely cleaning to repair, increasing the tensile strength, reducing oxidative damage, and stimulating growth. Newer shorter procedures to make hair look naturally more lustrous, smooth, and manageable have evolved. Specialized grooming products have been formulated to cleanse, calm, and condition the hair, and are tailored for different hair-types, for example, dry, dry-damaged, oily, colored, and gray hair. Other products are formulated to alter the color or structure of the hair shaft, for example, hair dyes, perming/relaxing. Hair sprays and waxes/gels, can alter the 'lift' of the hair-shaft. Although dermatologists are experts in managing scalp and hair diseases, the esthetic applications of newer cosmetic therapies still remain elusive. This article attempts to fill the lacunae in our knowledge of hair cosmetics and esthetic procedures relevant in today's rapidly changing beauty-enhancing industry, with special emphasis on the Indian scenario for chemical and 'natural' hair products.

La flora medicinal de Cuba: un sueño de Roig no alcanzado: [editoriales] / The Cuban medicinal flora: a non-fulfilled Roig´s dream: [editorial]

Cuando en 1945, Juan Tomás Roig1 suscribía el prólogo de su obra Plantas medicinales, aromáticas o venenosas de Cuba, planteaba, entre los objetivos que perseguía con esa publicación: "…estimular a nuestros hombres de ciencia para que emprendan el estudio metódico de nuestra flora medicinal y toxicológica…". Sin embargo, a pesar de que Roig entregaba en su obra el resultado de numerosos años dedicados a la introducción, cultivo y evaluación de especies medicinales tanto nativas como exóticas, y estimulaba a continuar su labor, es posible reconocer una dosis de pesimismo en ese prólogo. Quizás era una premonición...

Beneficios del Aloe Vera l: (sábila) en las afecciones de la piel / Benefits of Aloe Vera l: in skin affections

La medicina herbolaria tiene mucho que ofrecer a los pacientes que acuden a las consultas con determinadas enfermedades, pues su uso terapéutico ha demostrado un alto poder curativo; además de los beneficios económicos que reporta. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo descriptivo en una muestra de 90 pacientes atendidos en el Departamento de Medicina Natural Tradicional en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Amalia Simoni Argilagos, en el período comprendido de enero a abril de 2005; con el objetivo de demostrar los beneficios del Aloe Vera l (sábila) en las afecciones de la piel. Se diseñó un formulario que incluyó las variables: lesiones tratadas de la piel, tiempo de duración del tratamiento y evolución clínica final de los pacientes. La afección más frecuente fue la psoriasis, que se registró en 40 pacientes; el tiempo de duración del tratamiento estipulado fue de 40 a 60 días y en cuanto a la evolución clínica se estimó como mejorado el 47,7 por ciento y curado el 45,5 por ciento(AU)

Herbal medicine has much to offer to the patients visiting the offices with certain diseases, since its therapeutic use has showed a high curative power, in addition to the economic benefits being reported. A prospective and descriptive study was undertaken in a sample of 90 patients seen at the Department of Traditional Natural Medicine of "Amalia Simoni Argilagos" Clinical and Surgical Hospital from January to April, 2005 aimed at showing the benefits of Aloe Vera l. in the skin affections. A questionnaire was designed that included the following variables: skin lesions treated, duration of the treatment and final clinical evolution of the patients. The most frequent affection was psoriasis that was reported in 40 patients. The duration of the stipulated treatment was between 40 and 60 days. As regards the clinical evolution, 47.7 percent of the cases improved and 45.5 percent were cured(AU)

A vitamin, mineral, herb dietary supplement effect on blood glucose in uncontrolled type II diabetic subjects

We tested a dietary supplement formulated with a synergistic combination of vitamins, minerals, herbals in a group of 15 patients with uncontrolled diabetes type II. The supplement was given for 30 days. Fasting blood glucose was measured prior to the supplementation and at the end of the 30 days treatment period. Blood glucose was significantly reduced in all patients with no adverse effects. This orthomolecular correction of faulty glucose metabolism with a combination of nontoxic, safe and fairly inexpensive nutraceuticals needs to be further substantiated. Nervertheless the idea of correcting metabolism with micronutrients is a new concept of genetic nutritioneering that seems appealing and cost effective