CPMR research pushes herbal medicine into modern healthcare
Once dismissed as uncertain and unsafe, herbal medicine in Ghana has now entered a new era of credibility, with research, regulation, and professional training transforming centuries-old practices into a pillar of modern healthcare.
Dr. Mavis Boakye-Yiadom, Head of the Clinical Department at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), says the shift has been dramatic. “Initially, it was difficult for somebody to say I’m going to use herbal medicine because we were not too sure of where it’s coming from and the safety of that product,” she explained. “But now the acceptance is going far in Ghana.”
Herbal units are now embedded in district hospitals, while private clinics run by trained medical herbalists, many from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, are expanding access nationwide. Studies suggest that up to 80% of Ghanaians rely on herbal remedies for primary healthcare, underscoring their relevance in the national system.
The CPMR has spearheaded scientific validation of products such as Mibima, a malaria treatment proven to clear uncomplicated cases within seven days, and Lippia tea, used for relaxation and mild hypertension. “We have done research into it, and we know that within seven days, uncomplicated malaria is cleared,” Dr. Boakye-Yiadom said.
Safety remains central to the sector’s credibility. She urged the public to look for Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) certification, noting that approved products undergo rigorous testing from animal studies to dosage validation. “If a product has the FDA registration number, it means it has undergone safety analysis and the dosage is appropriate,” she explained.
The herbal medicine industry, now worth millions of cedis, is regulated by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, CPMR, and the FDA. More than 50 government hospitals have integrated herbal services, though challenges such as deforestation and illegal mining threaten the supply of medicinal plants.
Despite these pressures, Dr. Boakye-Yiadom insists Ghana has made significant progress. “We are not just taking the medicines as we want,” she said. “They have been researched into, and we are taking the right thing.”
Herbal medicine, once a matter of tradition, is now positioned as a scientifically validated and regulated component of Ghana’s healthcare future.
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