ghemsa knust

The shortcomings of the Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists (GAMH), the only professional association of herbal medicine practice in Ghana is described in this article in accordance with the structure of an ideal professional association/body. These include; Policy and Public affairs, Legal and governance, Education, Training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD), Membership and employer engagement, Research and Knowledge, International membership and affiliation, and Other factors. EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND CONTINOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) A professional association is expected to set, maintain and monitor educational and professional qualifications for professionals within the association. The training of health professionals in Ghana usually involve different stages. Medical training in KNUST involves first 3 years of Bachelor of Science degree in human biology after which another 3 years of bachelor in surgery and medicine is embarked on at a teaching ho...

Prior to the introduction of the professional practice of herbal medicine, made possible by way of formal education/training in Ghana through the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the unprofessional/informal practice of herbal medicine existed and still exists. The informal herbal medicine practice forms part of the Traditional medicine practices in Ghana. Traditional medicine has undergone lots of developments in effort to meet modern trends of healthcare delivery. The developments were made possible through successive government policies and the establishment of a Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate (TAMD) within the Ministry of Health to help with the implementation of the set policies. The contribution of a highly recognized body, the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) in the Traditional medicine developmental journey cannot be overlooked. GHAFTRAM, formed in 1999 as proposed in previous gove...

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The Herbal industry in Ghana has experienced a sudden wind of change in recent times. This is directed towards the production of alcoholic beverages called bitters by various herbal industries at the expense of herbal medicines. These products (Bitters) enjoy heavy media attention, and are marketed as natural products or medicines for sexual dysfunctions, among others. The contents of these advertisement have since misled lots of people especially the youth into developing bad drinking habits. Herbal bitters are blended herbs, spices, roots, seeds, and bark with a characteristic bitter taste. In the past, they were used as tonics to aid in digestion, particularly of heavy, fatty meals. However, in recent times, two distinctive varieties of bitters exist: Bitters typically formulated into alcoholic beverages, and those produced as tonics (a form of herbal medicines). Medicinal herbal bitters (tonics) contain medicinal plants and spices in a water or alcohol base. These ingredient...

There has been an increase in the usage of purgatives especially herbal ones recently. Purgatives also sometimes referred to as laxatives (more powerful laxatives) are substances that loosen stools, increase bowel movements within the intestines and eventual evacuation of bowel to relieve constipation. Several types of laxatives exist. These include; Bulk forming, stool-softeners (surfactants), osmotic agents (saline and hyperosmotic), lubricants (emollients) relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) and natural stimulants. Bulk forming laxatives work by absorbing fats and water into stool causing the stool to become bulky. The bulky stool generates force against the walls of the large intestines which in turn contracts to expel the stools. They are usually the first line of treatments for constipation. Examples are dietary fibres, psyllium husks (Metamucil), broccoli, methylcellulose (Citrucel), etc. Stool softeners are short-term constipation medications for people with heart conditions...