Lessons learnt on herbal remedies

While in the Primary School between 1970 to 1976, I was privileged to study under the feet of my paternal uncle Late Nze Callistus Ike Anyanwu. A trained and seasoned professional teacher, Nze was a popular Herbalist (Traditional Medical Practitioner).

His resourceful and curative services was ideally complimented by the wife's, late Mrs Maria Ike Anyanwu, a famous Midwife and humanist who managed St. Mary's Maternity, Umukpo Lude Ahiara Ahiazu Mbaise Imo state Nigeria.

The said health care facility had a resident Doctor and a team of other qualified medical personal as well as others engaged in ancillary services. Countless number of persons who hadn't money to finance their treatment were discharged and allowed to go. Those treated but could not afford paying their bills at once were allowed to pay in bits.

Bills given to patients were centred on the drugs purchased and administered. Otherwise, only a token was taken from clients, especially the Hospital section.

Hardly did this unique couple fail to provide solution to any medical case that was brought to them. Any health challenge beyond them was seen to be a very critical and or unusual one.

After diagnosis, treatment commenced simultaneously. If no credible result was achieved, my uncle came up with his own package of herbal products (preparations). He, himself handled these materials with the help of elderly assistants of both gendar.

People trooped from far and near to receive medicare attention.

An outstanding referral case, worthy of mention was that of a kinsman of ours, Late Dr. Michael Egbulem, a highly cerebral scholar.

Dee Mike as we fondly called him had a Distinction from Mbaise Secondary School in the West African School Certificate Examinations WASC in 1979, and was promptly offered a Scholarship by the Federal Government to study Medicine and Surgery in Romania, Eastern Europe.

He had an unusual ailment that defied every medicare offered him over there. Every other means to rescue him there prooved abortive. It was in this state that the Nigerian Students Union despatched three of their members who flew him back home, straight to the facility in my homestead that still stands as a MEMORIAL.

Rising to the occasion, my uncle and the wife examined him, reflected on the likely cause of the ill health that over whelmed the best Europe could offer in that circumstance.

After all said and done, Dee Mike recovered very fast, sound and bounced back to amazing optimal health.

This singular feat spread like harmattan fire and attracted a huge network of clientele to my homestead. Even mental cases of all categories were handled with ease. Patients came, trooping in from the North, South, East and West.

At this stage, my uncle stepped up my engagement in the excavation of identified medicinal roots, herbs, backs if trees, grasses and shrubs etc. All these materials had their unique curative properties individually and collectively. Though, it depended to a large extent the nature of the ailment, duration and manifestation. This my labour earned me a weekly stipend. After all, I and my siblings never paid a dime for medical services, including my mother.