Traditional medicine is a holistic approach to health care that has been used for centuries in many parts of the world. It seeks to combine the mental and social balance of patients according to relationships and social rules. Traditional medicine is popular in Africa due to its accessibility and affordability. Patients who are actively involved in their own health care have better health outcomes.
In Asia, traditional medicine is a way of taking care of one's own health. More than 80% of the world's population has made use of some kind of traditional knowledge in health, as a form of self-care. In some countries, 70% of the population uses traditional medicines as a primary health care strategy. Traditional medicine must be officially legalized and be part of Cameroon's official health system.
Government must openly and effectively support scientific research on traditional medicine therapies. Biomedicine (medicines, vaccines and biological resources) is based on natural resources that are closely related to traditional knowledge and traditional medicine. Traditional medicine is the mainstay of, or serves as an adjunct to, health care delivery in many parts of the world. The high cost of drugs and the increase in drug resistance to common diseases such as malaria, bacterial infections and other sexually transmitted diseases have made the therapeutic approach of traditional alternative medicine an option for the concerted search for new chemical entities (NCE).
The approach of implementation strategies for the promotion of research, development and practice of traditional medicine in Cameroon includes: recognizing traditional medicine as a legitimate form of health care; providing training for professionals; ensuring safety; improving research on products and practices; and labeling products. Traditional medicine, sustainable medicines and ecopharmacognosy contribute to sustainable health. Professionals known as mid-level doctors continue to dispense traditional and modern, Western-style medicines. Traditional African medicine is a holistic discipline that uses indigenous herbalism combined with some aspects of spirituality. In light of the benefits of traditional medicine, many Asian, African and South American countries have allowed the development of a dual health care system in which people can choose whether to go to traditional or western clinics.
The high prevalence of traditional medicine use in low-income countries has important clinical implications, especially when traditional medicine and conventional treatments are used simultaneously. Traditional medicine has been used for centuries in many parts of the world as a holistic approach to health care. It is accessible, affordable, and can help improve patient outcomes when they are actively involved in their own health care. Governments should support scientific research on traditional medicine therapies and recognize it as a legitimate form of health care. Traditional African medicine is a holistic discipline that uses indigenous herbalism combined with some aspects of spirituality.
