TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS AND TREES

By Our Correspondent, Michuzi  TV

ENVIROCARE,  a non-governmental organization based in Makongo Juu in Dar es Salaam, has encouraged all Tanzanians in the country to continue to take care of natural forests, medicinal and forest trees to use them in various issues, including treating diseases facing the community with a strategy to establish a natural nursery.

Recognizing the importance of the presence of natural plants and medicinal plants, the Agency has identified the need to educate the community to ensure that it recognizes and understands the value of the presence of native trees, medicinal plants and plants as well as the intake of natural foods.

Speaking to the media, Project Manager at Envirocare Euphrasia Shayo explained that the organization is focused on social issues especially environmental protection, human rights and gender in general and every year since 2015 they have been providing environmental education especially traditional agriculture does not use chemicals and industrial chemicals.

"So our organization annually collaborates with more than 52 organizations around the world to celebrate Green Week, in participating in this week Envirocare participates in providing education on various issues and we are conducting such activities in various regions and this year. The celebrations begin in July. until October which is its peak.

"So we have provided education on the care of natural plants and medicinal plants to the community, we have talked about the importance of natural foods and their benefits in the human body, we have done exhibitions aimed at explaining and explaining more about the medicinal plants and plants around us and its benefits in the area. for treatment and prevention, "said Shayo.

He added that they have done all of this because their organization has been working closely with the Swedish non-governmental organization Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC). "The SSNC is the one that has funded politics and other organizations to facilitate access to medicine. , native trees and plants for the people. "

He said in providing this education this year they went to Tanga Region and managed to meet various people and provided education about traditional medicine and natural foods, they met with the people of Magoroto and Amani villages. They also met with groups involved in medicinal and food issue natural,

"In the dream and peace there are many native trees that are used for various treatments and our organization was able to get there and encourage the community to celebrate the use and care of natural trees for present and future generations, in mobilizing there we have made sure we have all groups social.

"What we have found is that knowledge about medicinal plants is disappearing and even knowledge of medicinal plants is disappearing because there is no care or education about the trees and most people do not know it, so our job is to tell the community its importance and benefits of keeping it. What is his job then it is easy for them to take care of it and cherish it for the next generation, "he said.

He also said that they have taught the people of the region and other citizens in general how medicinal plants and natural plants can be a solution to various diseases as many natural trees have the potential to treat human diseases including cancer, stomach ulcers, influenza and other diseases a lot.

"However, after the information, the public came to understand how to use medicinal plants and herbs to treat diseases. The medicinal plants and herbs have been well explained by the elders of the area, and they have given a reason why the education has not reached many people.

"We have also arrived in Muheza and met various farmers who have been involved in organic farming and after talking to them we have agreed to cooperate and if possible have a model field of indigenous agriculture where citizens and students will go and learn how to use pesticides. and plants to treat the diseases around us, "he said.

In addition to having a model farm, they have agreed with organic farmers that they will work together to look at how to add value to these crops especially by providing them with good animal husbandry education and care.

"Another function that our organization does is to work with these groups to educate the entire Tanzanian community and the world that there is a need to continue to cherish and care for old plants and trees, natural foods to continue to improve our health and care for the environment," he said Shayo.