Herbal Medicine Practice in Kenya: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward

Abstract

Numerous limitations encountered with mainstream Western Medicine, including exorbitant costs, side effects, ineffectiveness and unavailability continue to endear many to alternative herbal therapies. The World Health Organization recognizes the rampant use of herbal medicine, stating that over 80% of the global population uses this form of therapy either alone or alongside conventional therapies. In Kenya, herbal medicine is popular, and, in this review, we share a situational analysis of the industry, taking note of the opportunities and challenges that it offers. Importantly, we provide, in our opinion, easy to implement and financially friendly approaches towards improving the safety and appeal of herbal medicine practice in the country. We anticipate that the Kenyan scenario is replicated elsewhere across the continent and that, therefore, these insights may be similarly applicable.