In Broma, a small village in Kakamega County, a farmer has discovered the secret of creating an herbal remedy to cure diseases in poultry.
John Waswa claims that his herbal concoction Mukekuma (Mukangara Herb Kuku Master) can treat various diseases in poultry.
“I learned this from my father, and my father learned this from his father.” This knowledge is passed down in the family,” he says, preparing the ingredients at his home in Broma.
For the past three years, Waswa has been creating herbal remedies to treat chickens. The surplus is then sold to local people.
“I use Mukangara Herbal Kuku Master’s herbal remedies to treat many diseases. When I use this herbal remedy for treatment, the chickens recover,” he says.
herbal vaccines
Mr. Waswa primarily uses herbal remedies to control a common poultry disease called uku, which is easily transmitted through the air and can kill chickens.
“Even if there is an outbreak in my neighborhood, the chickens will survive because I vaccinate them against the disease with an herbal medicine called Muhekma,” he says.
A farmer produces 20 bags of herbal medicine.
“We have sold 25 bags in the last two days… Demand is increasing.
“During the dry season, demand is so high that sometimes we can’t meet it,” adds Wawawa.
Farmers say the herb is effective against Newcastle disease, which is caused by a virus that infects the respiratory and nervous systems. It has no effect on turkeys or ducks.
However, while this herb is effective against bronchitis, avian influenza, swollen head syndrome, and fowl cholera, it is not effective against chickenpox.
“My chickens do not get infected even if they mix with other infected chickens. For the past three years, I have managed to control poultry diseases and infections on my property,” he explains. Masu.
his way
Stay informed.Subscribe to newsletter
To create the concoction, Wawa mixes nine different herbs sourced from on-site.
The herbs are then dried, mixed in a mortar, and then ground into a powder using a pestle.
“Herbal treatments are not used on chicks less than three weeks old and can die because their immune systems are not fully developed,” he explains. For older chicks, mix the herbal cure with water or chick mash. For every kilogram of chick mash, add a spoonful of herbal powder.
cure cough
Sometimes he mixes herbs in the milk. This mixture is supposed to be used once, as sour milk is toxic to chicken.
“Mix the herbs and milk for 5 minutes, then sift through a sieve. For chicks that appear to be coughing, administer the medicine through the nostrils, but for other illnesses, use a syringe to put two drops into the chicken’s mouth. administer,” he says.
Waswa sells packets of herbal medicine to locals for 20 shillings and to people who visit his stand during exhibitions for 50 shillings to 100 shillings.
“During the dry season there is a high demand for drugs… Vaccinations are more commonly carried out during this period. If administered to chickens they must be given water as they cause thirst.” he says.
Are there any side effects?
“Not one. It’s natural, so it doesn’t have any negative effects on the animal’s system,” he asserts.
It sounds too good to be true, but what do experts say about herbal medicine in treating animals?
Dr Moses Orum, a veterinarian at the University of Nairobi, warns that although herbal treatments are commonly used, there is often not much research done to prove their effectiveness.
“Some farmers use herbal medicines on chicken meat and are adamant that it is effective, but we cannot prove it until further research is done. Poultry diseases like Newcastle “Because it is seasonal, the disease probably has not infected the birds by the time farmers administer the medicine, giving the illusion that the medicine is working,” the doctor elaborates.
Mr. Orm continues: “Most of the time, people have been using herbs such as alovera and pepper to treat chickens, but their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. Some farmers say they are effective. There may be, but there is no evidence.”
A study conducted by Professor Bukenya Jiraba from Makerere University’s Department of Botany shows that a significant number of poultry farmers in the village use medicinal plants to treat coughs, diarrhea, eye swelling, mites and lice, Newcastle prevention and coccidiosis. It was shown that
testimony
Waswa’s regular customers fit this profile.
One of them, Joash Sitawa from Sianda, says he is so impressed with the natural remedies that he is helping sell them to other farmers.
“Herbal medicine is in high demand in this region. We receive 20 bags every day, but we manage to sell them all. To meet the needs of our customers, we have sold our current inventory and placed new orders.” says Mr. Sitawa.
For Wawa, a village herbalist, alternative medicine is the future.
“This drug is effective and there is demand. Once we get the license, which we are currently in the process of getting, we will scale up production,” he says.
