Abstract
No studies have been conducted, to examine the negative impacts of liquid forms of
local herbal medicine sold in Yola and Jimeta in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Therefore,
this study aimed to assess the potential negative health impacts of these medicines,
by conducting lab experiments to investigate the presence of pathogenic bacteria in
purchased herbal medicine samples. 17 samples were purchased from Yola market
and Jimeta. Standard laboratory experiments were conducted, using Lysogeny Broth
Agar to culture bacteria, numerous selective media to identify different bacterial
species, and bacterial load of the herbal medicine samples were determined, using
serial dilution. The result showed that all samples purchased were contaminated with
bacteria. Out of the 17 samples analyzed, 15 were contaminated with Escherichia
coli, 9 with Salmonella sp., and 4 with Staphylococcus aureus. Half of the samples
from Jimeta had microbial load that exceeded the limit set by WHO and the
Europ
INTRODUCTION
It may not be breaking any world records right now, but herbal medicine once used
to be the only solution to bring back our ancestors from the brink of death before the
development of synthetic drugs. The use of herbal medicine reduced as modern
medicine evolved. Today, many people are finding their way back to the use of
herbal medicine, for the treatment of numerous illnesses.
Traditional medicine
Often, the term herbal medicine is confused with “traditional medicine.” Traditional
medicine comprises of different health practices, knowledge, beliefs and approaches
that consist of plant, animal and mineral-based prescriptions including profound
treatments, and practices used singularly or in combination with others to keep up
sound health, to additionally treat, prevent or diagnose ailments (WHO, 2003).
Herbal medicine on the other hand, is an integral part of traditional medicine (TM),
which means it is only a part of traditional medicine.
Fig 1.1. Tradition