Herbal lifeline: How indigenous remedies offer second chances to patients

With herbal medicine, anyone who enters the market with bad intentions-taking patients' money, being greedy, or dishonest-does not last long in the industry. [Getty Images] Grace Ruto is a jovial woman in her 50s who treasures every breath after surviving a life-threatening ordeal. As she waited in the queue at Koibatek Herbal Clinic for her turn, she reflected on her journey, which began with confusion and panic after doctors delivered alarming news about her health. In 2003, Grace was told she suffered from chronic ulcers and that her days were numbered. Fortunately, she later discovered a herbalist who saved her life. "I had visited every hospital in Eldama Ravine, but the reports suggested my ulcer was worsening. I was given a drug to manage it," she recalled. Believing her time on earth was limited, Grace prepared her children mentally, assigning each a role and telling them their moments together were precious and fleeting. She had lost all hope of survival. Every hospital she visited reiterated that her illness, which had developed into chronic stomach ulcers, was incurable. "I remember asking a doctor what would happen if I stopped taking the medicine, Reulcer. He insisted I would die. That news shocked me and left my family prepared for the worst," she said. "The fear was intense, but I had to be strong. I told my children to behave, not to steal, to do the right thing, and, importantly, not to cry when I left, because their tears could prevent my spirit from being accepted in heaven," she added. Her family complied, aware of the suffering she had endured. She had kept Sh3,000 aside for them in case she died. "That night, while indoors, I overheard my neighbour talking about a foreign doctor treating patients for free using herbal remedies," Grace said. With nothing to lose, she rose early, took Sh1,000, and went to Eldama Ravine town, where she found Shadrack Moimett's clinic. Deeper understanding "I met a young man who examined me. With medicine prescribed, everything changed. My fate changed. I was whole again, and I had to tell my children I wasn't going to die," she said. Grace recalls the pain she endured over the years and believes that without herbal medicine and faith, she would have succumbed. "Now I can eat anything without restriction, unlike before. Herbal medicine has been a game-changer. Our parents relied on it in the past. The government should embrace indigenous medicine and native wisdom to address shortages and develop local solutions instead of relying solely on imported drugs," she said. Similarly, William Rono, 81, experienced a medical scare in 2010 while travelling to a wedding in Nairobi from Eldama Ravine. He found he could not urinate, a situation that caused immense stress and discomfort. "At the wedding, I remained in the toilet. Later, I was taken to a Nairobi hospital and diagnosed with prostatitis," Rono recalled. Routine hospital visits had become normal, and surgery was scheduled. Yet he decided to try Moimett's herbal treatment. "After finishing my dose, I returned to the hospital to change the catheter and have them confirm that I was well. Since then, I have continued taking the herbs, and I'm healthy," he said. Moimett has been practising herbal medicine for over 30 years. He was recognised for his work by CS Gender Hannah Wendott during International Women's Day for championing maternal and women's issues through indigenous methods. He began experimenting with herbal medicine in high school, providing remedies to classmates to earn money for bread. "I inherited this gift from my grandmother, who was well known for her medicine. She inspired me," Moimett said. After completing A-levels in 1994, he ventured fully into indigenous medicine, travelling village to village to prescribe remedies. He joined the Kenya Police in 1996 but later left to pursue his passion. He enrolled at a university in Canada to deepen his understanding of herbal medicine and, in 1998, presented his herbs to Kenyatta University's Health Department. Moimett opened offices in Eldoret, Eldama Ravine, Kericho, and Nairobi. "I travelled to the United States to give lectures on herbal medicine around 2015 and in 2019," he said. His patients continue to reach him via digital platforms, earning him the title of digital fitness champion for marketing his products online. "What inspired me was knowing I could cure people, offering hope to the hopeless through testimonials and referrals," he said. His first patient was a neighbour who had been in and out of hospitals. Seeing her suffering, he committed to helping her, and after a month, she recovered. This motivated him to serve the community through herbal medicine. "With herbal medicine, anyone who enters the market with bad intentions-taking patients' money, being greedy, or dishonest-does not last long in the industry. I have survived because of my honest work and not being money-oriented," Moimett said. He explained that he sources herbs through sustainable harvesting to prevent deforestation and ensures they are ground and packaged at the correct doses. In his office, Moimett keeps books that he uses to deepen his knowledge and refresh his understanding. "The knowledge has been passed down through generations, but I have improved myself by studying trees and understanding their medicinal properties," he said. He emphasised that prevention is better than cure, advising everyone to detox regularly as a way of caring for their bodies. Moimett also urged the government to conduct research in collaboration with herbalists to attract medical tourists to the country.

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