Herbal medicine oldest, widely used – Don

From Fasusi Martins, Okitipupa
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The Vice Chancellor, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile has described plants as  chemical substances that produce multitude of antibiotics as part of their defense system against other organisms that can harm man .

Ogunduyile who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Igbasan stated this during the  University’s Faculty of  Science maiden lecture held in collaboration with the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences  Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, South Africa.

The lecture with the theme ” Medicinal plants:

The Good and The Bad”  was held at the University’s main auditorium.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Oluwafemi Oguntibeju, a Professor of biomedical sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology,  South Africa, described herbal medicine as the oldest and the most widely used system of medicine in the world till today.

“Eighty percent of developing countries depend on medicinal plants as a source of primary health care because of its effectiveness and availability “

“Study also revealed that up to 700,000 tonnes of plants materials are consumed annually with an estimated value of 150  million US  dollar per annum “

Oguntibeju, an Ondo State indegine  added that apart from the commercialization of plants, it can also be used as biofuel to generate electricity and water purifications..

He warned that medicinal plants should be used in line with scientific regulations in order to avoid wrong application and contamination which might have toxic effects.

“Sadly the prescription and use of traditional medicines in most Africa countries is not regulated and so there is a danger of misidentifications,  incorrect preparation, mis administration that could lead to toxic effects through preparation of medicinal plants ” He warned.

He stressed the need for government effective  policy on regulation, licencing and practice, quality control and monitoring of traditional medicine, isolation of active ingredients and development of commercial products that can add value to man’s health.

In his own remark,  the Dean Faculty of Science, OSUSTECH,  Prof. Olujimi Folarin who doubled as the host said the purpose of organizing the lecture is to integrate the University staff  so as to achieve the mandate of which it was setup.

He advised government to give more attention to University education through proper funding so as to encourage research which help in  providing solutions to the medical needs.