Kenyans Now Have Access To A Chinese Herbal Medicine For Viral Pneumonia

The concept of the mass embrace of herbal medicine is still new to many Kenyans. Despite the fact that the use of herbal medicine in Kenya is as old as humankind, the use by the majority has been hampered by regulations, and superstitious believes.

In most parts of Kenya’s rural areas, people use herbal medicine to treat various illnesses in humans as well as animals. The use of such herbal plants as Mwarobaini, Cactus, and Aloe vera is common in many places.

The coming of Covid-19 has redefined how Kenyans view the use of herbal medicine. Being viral and difficult to distinguish from other common colds, mostly it goes unnoticed until things run out of hand.

Scarier, is the revelation that most viral infections in Kenya are resistant to normal antibiotics sold over the counter. Such antibiotics used to treat illnesses such as pneumonia are becoming inferior with each passing day.

But there is a new awakening with Kenyans now having an option of trying the new Chinese herbal medicine that is formulated to boost immunity and optimized for viral pneumonia treatment and management.

“This is good news for Kenyans to have a taste of the medicine that tastes closer home, made from nature itself. I was part of the launch, came home with a box, and I can assure you that it is a good treatment and a friend tour immunity,” said Korir Kipkemboi, a journalist.

As the year 2020 melted away, China’s Jiangyin Tianjiang Pharmaceutical Company managed to get a  certification from Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board to import two herbal medicines used to prevent infection, strengthen immunity, and treat severe acute respiratory infections into the Kenyan market.

“It is time we went back our roots and embrace the use of herbal medicine. History teaches us what our forefathers used to use. People don’t know that the generic medicines we use are just from herbal,” said Albert Musisi, a historian.

During the rollout, Edgar Ngugi, General Manager at XRP Medical Kenya Limited, a local agent distributing the two herbal medicines in Kenya (on behalf of Jiangyin Tianjiang Pharmaceutical Company), said the two herbal medicines, Healthouself Formula 3 and Healthouself Formula 5 will be key in the prevention, treatment, and control of various viral pneumonia infections not only in Kenya but around the world.

“Healthouself Formula 3 consists of the Jade Screen formula, in addition to other four herbal ingredients and plays a powerful role in strengthening the immunity. On the other hand, Healthouself Formula 5 contains anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is also useful in the treatment of severe acute respiratory infections, especially those that are zoonotic,” said Ngugi.

According to Ngugi said this was the first Chinese herbal medicine is registered in Kenya since the previous ones have been supplements. However, he sees this as an opportunity for Kenya and China to cooperate more in the field of herbal medicine.

“I believe there is room for collaboration because both Kenya and China have a long and remarkable history in practicing herbal medicine. This is an opportunity for our universities, research institutions, and the government to explore ways we can benefit from each other’s knowledge in this field,” he added.

The two medicines can be found both on online platforms as well as over-the-counter.

READ: A Time For Kenyans To Turn To Herbal Medicine Has Come