A new book, Herbal Spices: Local Foods As Medicines, has idenfied and validated local foods that could be used in treating common ailments.

 “It is therefore necessary to study our local foods and traditional diets to promote the wellbeing of the populace through reading of this book, Herbal Spices: Local Foods As Medicines…., as a song without end.

The present book of ten chapters is Volume One. It is the beginning of the song contributing to a comprehensive coverage of the needs to achieve a radiant health and longevity at affordable costs. The reader will benefit greatly from the primary benefits of eating local foods,” she said.

   The author, Chukwuma Muanya, in this book unveiled evidence-based and scientifically authenticated herbal remedies for chronic diseases as well as how he has been able to prevent and treat common sickness in Nigeria such as malaria, typhoid fever, hepatitis, toothache, Staphylococcus aureus, premature ejaculation, low libido in men and women, erectile dysfunction, fibroids, prostate enlargement, ulcer, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), cancers, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, diarrhoea, infertility, tuberculosis, cold, cough, catarrh, haemorrhoid and pile, among others with herbs.

    Chukwuma Muanya is a conventional herbalist, a pharmacognocist, researcher, science and health writer, and media consultant. Muanya is also the Chief Executive Officer of CAMS DIAMONDS Nigeria Limited and former Deputy Editor (Health) of The Guardian Newspapers.

  Muanya has a BSc in Botany and MSc in Pharmacognosy from University of Lagos.

 He has researched and made publications, with contributions from relevant medical experts, on herbal cures for common ailments for more than 25 years

  The 178-page book was published by EPH Business Network Limited, 3 Alhaji Rafiu Street, off Airport Road Oshodi, Lagos with ISBN: 9789787744239.

  Indeed, poor diet is the leading cause of bad health, and accounts for many more deaths than alcohol and drug abuse. Food is not only to fulfill the appetite. It is more than that. It gives a sense of being.

 It is a major part of our heritage and our culture. A little attention regarding the benefits of the foods eaten on health, can give a better life, and eventually, one can enjoy the wealth in health.

   Hippocrates (460-357-BC), the father of medicine said, Let Food Be the Medicine and Let Medicine Be the Food. The former part of the sentence (Let food be the medicine) is for the sick, while the latter (Let Medicine be the food) is for the healthy. For the sick, positive natural foods are the true natural drugs and not synthetic drugs, because of adverse side effects and for the healthy, natural foods are the means of freedom from disease.

Therefore, the Philosophy behind Hippocrates saying is to focus on prevention by eating local foods.

   In traditional cultures, food and medicine were strongly interwoven. Many special foods were known and treasured due to their use in treating or preventing diseases and the knowledge of these special foods was carefully passed down the generations.

 The foods included in diet play a critical role in controlling inflammation levels, balancing blood sugar, regulating cardiovascular health (including blood pressure and cholesterol levels), helping the digestive organs to process and eliminate waste.

   Many Nigerians are languishing with one ailment or the other due to changes in lifestyle especially food. Cancers and other Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol level, stroke, and kidney damage are on the prowl.

 Healthcare has become unaffordable. Conventional medicines are failing, especially due to the issue of growing resistance of disease-causing organisms to the drugs-of-choice. Not to mention the aspect of rise in adverse drug reaction, treatment failure, and fake and adulterated medicines.

   Meanwhile, CHAPTER ONE of the book deals with why more people are getting sick: Ignorance, my people perish because of lack of knowledge.

  CHPTER TWO dwells on the common diseases in Nigeria and their natural treatments.

  CHAPTER THREE explains the miracle of local spices and herbs.

  CHAPTER FOUR unveils the herbal blood tonics for sickle cell and anaemic conditions.

  CHAPTER FIVE is on microbial/viral infections and herbal antibiotics for HIV, measles, chickenpox etc.

  CHAPTER SIX is on diabetes and natural cures.

  CHAPTER SEVEN identifies local plants for haemorrhoid and pile.

  CHAPTER EIGHT: Foods of Love. Considering the rising cases of infertility in the country and flagging libidos in even in young men and women, the chapter provides evidence-based solutions. It unveils herbal cures for low libido in men and women, weak erection, premature ejaculation, dry vagina, poor sperm count and quality, early menopause, poor quality eggs, blocked fallopian tubes and infertility.

  CHAPTER NINE: Hypertension and reproductive problems. Hypertension is a silent killer and is associated with sudden death, stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, erectile dysfunction to mention but a few. This chapter provides herbal cures for hypertension, low sperm count, and other related issues.

  CHAPTER TEN: Cancers have become so common in Nigeria that almost every family has lost someone to the deadly disease or have another managing the condition. This chapter deals on growths and tumours, fibroids/prostate enlargement and cancers. It provides evidence on how herbal mix shrinks fibroids, prostate enlargement and cancers.

   Odukoya added: “The book is a compendium of practical activities for you to try out. It is for everyone. It also answers every question that a student of herbal medicine and nutrition could possibly want to ask. Enjoy the book and really hope that you find it very useful as a household song.”

  Muanya said what informed the book is a huge knowledge gap in evidence-based preventive medicine in Nigeria and indeed all over the world. “This book will guide you on what to do to prevent  most diseases, cure some and ameliorate others,” he said.

   The book was endorsed by so many successful professors of Pharmacy and business moguls, including Professor of Pharmacy and Director General of Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Martins Emeje; Prof. MacDonald Idu, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology,  University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State; Dr. Joy Odimegwu of Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos; former Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, The Guardian Newspapers Limited, Eluem Emeka Izeze; CEO of Clean Serve Energy/ former Managing Director, Arik Air, Chief Chris Ndulue among many others.

  To Izeze, with the book “everyone can take responsibility for his or her lifestyle.” Ndulue said: “A wholesome meal served fresh and hot by the master-dietician and natural health expert of our time.” To Odimegwu, the book is “bringing the age-old knowledge of herbal medicines into many homes.” Idu said: “Great resource for herbalists, naturopaths, healthcare professionals.” To Emeje, the book “provides specific steps in preparing home remedies based on results of empirical research.”