EXPERT WARNS RESEARCH GAP THREATENS BOTSWANA’S HERBAL MEDICINE POTENTIAL

Article By: Tebogo Mokoto

A herbal medicines expert has warned that poor implementation of research on Botswana’s traditional remedies is undermining efforts to harness the country’s indigenous healing knowledge.

Speaking on Gabz FM’s Iconic, herbalist Dr David Takuwa said valuable traditional knowledge used by Batswana to treat various ailments is gradually disappearing. He noted that while research is conducted on medicinal plants, the findings are rarely applied beyond academic advancement.

Dr Takuwa said this has frustrated traditional healers, who claim they are frequently asked to submit their remedies for study, only for the research to yield no tangible benefits or practical outcomes for local communities.