Shafaq News / Citizens, especially those living in poorer areas, rely on alternative medicine to treat illnesses because it costs less compared to pharmaceuticals and many people consider it “safe.”
Meanwhile, experts are warning patients of possible negative consequences if the “herbalist” is unqualified for the profession or if the patient has a serious illness.
Herbal shops have spread across Iraq since the country’s poverty rate reached around 25%, according to Ministry of Planning statistics, and are the treatment destination of choice for low-income citizens.
People usually seek out herbalists to treat hair loss, weight gain or loss, skin problems, chronic or incurable illnesses, and other conditions. Herbalists treat patients according to a prescription determined by the number of treatment days and specific doses.
“Cheap and safe”
Umm Khuhel, a resident of Najaf province, told Shafaq News Agency that she always keeps herbs in her kitchen, including cinnamon, black seed and anise. Because they are “better than chemicals. They’re cheaper and safer.”
Herbal medicine, also known as botanical medicine, herbal medicine, herbalism, or Arabic medicine, is folk medicine or traditional medicine that uses plants and plant extracts. It also includes the use of fungi, some minerals, shells, honey, bee products, and certain animal parts.
According to one of the herbalists in Basra, “Most of the ingredients available in pharmacies are extracted from herbs, because herbs have many healing effects for humans. I learned from my herbalist ancestors that it does no harm.
He said he spends most of his day preparing herbs and using “precise doses for each case,” adding that he “inherited the profession from my grandfather, who was an herbalist for 60 years.”
double edged sword
On the other hand, experts advise against using herbs without checking the herbalist’s experience and the herbal ingredients used. This can cause negative side effects. Family medicine consultant Dr. Ali Abu Ali Taheen emphasized that “certain herbs may be useful and beneficial, but not all, as they are a double-edged sword.”
He said, “Herbs are effective in basic situations, but cannot treat patients with serious health problems. In such cases, herbs must be used in conjunction with medicines.” .
