From Doris Obinna
A newly released book in the healthcare community is being acknowledged for its innovative approach to preventive medicine through the use of herbal remedies and local foods. The book, Herbal Spices: ‘Local Foods As Medicines,’ is authored by Chukwuma Muanya, a science and health writer, researcher, pharmacognosist and conventional herbalist.
The publication addresses a significant gap in preventive healthcare by offering scientifically validated natural treatments for a range of chronic and infectious diseases. It presents readers with a comprehensive guide to harnessing the healing power of nutrition, promoting informed dietary choices, and integrating natural therapies into everyday life.
In the foreword to the book, Professor Olukemi Odukoya of the Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Lagos, praised the work for its contribution to global health. She emphasized the growing recognition among healthcare professionals of the central role food plays in disease prevention and overall well-being. Describing the book as “a song without end,” she noted its potential to help readers achieve radiant health and longevity affordably through the use of local foods.
Muanya, who holds degrees in Botany and Pharmacognosy from the University of Lagos and has over 25 years of research experience in herbal medicine, explores how traditional cultures once valued food for its healing properties. The 178-page book, published by EPH Business Network Limited (ISBN 9789787744239), links unhealthy dietary habits to the rise of non-communicable diseases and argues for a return to nature-based treatments.
The book delves into the treatment and prevention of diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, hepatitis, ulcers, HIV/AIDS, cancers, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, infertility, and many others. It highlights how food and herbs can help regulate cardiovascular health, manage blood sugar, control inflammation, and improve digestion.
The publication also critiques the limitations of conventional medicine, including drug resistance, treatment failures, and the rise of counterfeit drugs. It positions natural remedies as effective, safe, and culturally relevant alternatives.
Divided into ten chapters, the book begins with an exploration of the increasing rates of illness, citing ignorance as a major cause. It then examines natural treatments for common diseases in Nigeria, the medicinal value of local spices and herbs, and provides detailed guides on using herbal blood tonics, antibiotics, and reproductive health solutions. The final chapters focus on herbal approaches to more complex conditions like cancer, fibroids, and prostate enlargement.
Endorsed by several prominent health figures, the book is being seen as a timely resource for those seeking natural, accessible, and evidence-based health solutions rooted in traditional knowledge.