DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2017.v03i01.004

Pages: Page: 23-31

Legalizing the practice of traditional and alternative medicine in Tanzania appears to have opened window to youths in search of herbal medicine. The researcher aimed to learn from the participants of exhibition the herbal product displayed and for what specific health problems. In the cover of client he observed products, asked questions for clarification of the remedies and asked leaflets or fliers for those who had in a natural way. The findings showed that a total of 61 traditional and alternative medicine practitioner’s participated in the platform of traditional and alternative medicine. Most of them were young both male and female, energetic and business oriented. They were more of herbalist than other type of healers. There were few spiritual healers and alternative medicine practitioners. Most of the products were in form of powder, oil and liquid mainly from leaves, barks and roots. Whereas, oil remedy products were from fruits and seeds. Only two practitioners displayed their product raw barks of tree. Most of the herbal remedies focused on health problems that were problematic at getting drugs from health facilities such HIV and AIDS, malaria, diabetic, libido and frigidity, cancer, asthma, joints and back bone and were well labeled and parked. The sources of knowledge were mainly through inheritance from their respective elders. Based from the findings from the exhibition it is very likely to be true what is being claimed that traditional and alternative medicine practitioners manage a wide range of conditions that affects people both in rural and urban in developing countries. Researchers especially phytochemestry should search in possible potential plants in order to find the active part of these remedies including efficacy and safety for public use. Developing countries cannot meet the growing expensive drugs from pharmaceutical industries for various health problems in their respective countries