For generations, the African wormwood plant or Artemisia afra has played a vital role in traditional African medicine, valued for its effectiveness in treating ailments such as coughs, colds, influenza, and malaria. Its significance gained global attention when laboratory tests revealed that its extracts possess some potential to inhibit coronavirus.
African researchers are now turning to the continent’s medicinal plants treasure chest to develop new drugs locally, as increasing pandemic outbreaks and global antimicrobial resistance continue to ail health systems.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute now has a Center for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research that conducts scientific studies on traditional medicines with the aim to integrate them into the country’s health care system. Burundi is extracting essential oils from the catnip plant to develop a mosquito repellent. And at least 15 plant species from southern Africa applied in traditional medicine have been fully or partially commercialized.
About the author
David Njagi
David Njagi is a Kenya-based Devex Contributing Reporter with over 12 years’ experience in the field of journalism. He graduated from the Technical University of Kenya with a diploma in journalism and public relations. He has reported for local and international media outlets, such as the BBC Future Planet, Reuters AlertNet, allAfrica.com, Inter Press Service, Science and Development Network, Mongabay Reporting Network, and Women’s Media Center.
