Homeopathy still common treatment in Yemen

Many Yemenis are making use of various unconventional therapies in order to restore well-being. However most of them, especially people living in rural areas, depend on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of different diseases, according to a new Sana’a University study. 

The study, entitled Alternative Medicine in Yemen, was conducted by researchers in the Faculty of Medicine and Health science on 2,000 people in seven Yemeni governorates to evaluate the knowledge, trends, and uses of alternative medicine in Yemen.  

Herbal medicine, also called homeopathic medicine or phytomedicine, uses plant seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes.

Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, psychologists, and nurses. Many mainstream and conventional physicians are skeptical of alternative medicine—and some still consider it to be of no medical value.

Long practiced alongside conventional medicine, homeopathy is becoming more mainstream as up-to-date analysis and research show its value in the treatment and prevention of disease. The use of plants for healing purposes predates modern human history and forms the origin of much of modern medicine. 

Scientists around the world depend on natural herbs in developing more potent medication. Herbal-derived substances remain the basis for a large proportion of the commercial medicines used today for the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, and other illnesses. 

Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80 percent of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, 74 percent of 119 modern plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines are used in ways that are similar to their traditional uses.

This study found that 93 percent of the participants had a good knowledge of alternative therapies, since most of them, about 98 percent, are university students.

Approximately 70 percent (75 percent of females and 66 percent of males) strongly believe that herbs are completely effective in treating the different diseases.

The study revealed that 60 percent of people older than 60 years of age are not convinced by such homeopathic treatments. Approximately 45 percent of the participants were treated by such therapies, according to the study. However, 56 percent are uneducated. “I felt healthy after I took homeopathic medicine. I did not know why but it made me feel comfortable and calm,” said S.G, 37, a woman who was suffering from rheumatism. “I heard the same thing everywhere: there is no effective medicine to cure rheumatism. The only thing that doctors can do for me is to prescribe these sedatives, which I will have to take every day for the rest of my life,” she said.  

The study also found that 95 percent of people treated by alternative medicines are using herbs, making them the most prevalent alternative therapy in Yemen.  Massage is the second most popular alternative, used by 58 percent of people, while 43 percent of people found using acupuncture to be a suitable alternative therapy. 

The study discovered that pains affecting joints, muscles and stomach were common problems treated by the various forms of alternative medicine. It is also found that such therapies are used to treat nervous, psychological and skin conditions, as well as problems appearing in the kidneys and urinary tract.  

The study showed that most people turn to unconventional remedies when they lose hope in finding a conventional cure. The limited health services available in some areas are also causing people to resort to alternative medicine. People believe that alternative remedies will have fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals, as well as being less expensive. “I do not have fixed rates,” said Katiba al-Asdi, 32, a homeopathic doctor, “Every patient pays according to his financial ability. Some patients, especially the poorest, do not pay anything. I take a good amount of money from rich people, coming to my clinic for treatment, to cover the cost of herbs.” 

Not all alternative therapies are safe, however. Herbs, for example, may aggravate illnesses or even cause death if ingested improperly, or are prescribed by inexperienced practitioners. Homeopaths should have a broad knowledge, experience, and a good reputation. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Public Health and Population pay more attention to people who are practicing different alternative medicines. 

According to the study, the media should improve its programs to educate people on different types of alternative therapies that are used worldwide. A further recommendation is that the Ministry should be fair in establishing health facilities in the different Yemeni governorates, including urban and rural areas. 

The study, supervised by Dr. Ahmed al-Haddad, head of the Community Medicine department at Sana’a University, recommended performing more research on this subject to obtain more complete information on alternative medicine and its use. 

The study was conducted by Adnan Haza’, Fuad al-Ba’dani, Abdullah Othman, Abdo al-Sharjabi, Anwar al-Jonaid, Jobran al-Ammari, Ejlal al-Shahari, Waela Saif, Dalia Jasem and Naseem al-Mahaqeri.  

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