The Deputy Vice Chancellors of Gregory University, Uturu has said that every herbs created by God for consumption, was aimed at curing different ailment and diseases.
He gave the charge during a one day seminar by the Center For Natural and Alternative Medicine of the school, themed "Rejuvenation".
The seminar which was held at the Justice Izima Chamber, Gregory University Uturu, enlightened the University community especially those between sixty years and above on the use of herbs and roots in treating different kinds of sickness.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Evaristus Anyaehie, while declaring the programme open said herbs are good for curing diseases. “God made herbs for us to use in curing diseases, but due lack of knowledge we perish. I believe that if we go back to history we will discover that our forefathers used roots and herbs to tackle all kinds of challenges they encountered. As a university that wants to make a difference, we have devoted time to research and bring to the fore the importance of herbs. During the covid-19 induced lock down, our university produced a lot of anti coronavirus drugs using herbs”, he said.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, who spoke on the topic “Foods That Can Handle Sickle Cell Anemia,” stressed that his over 25 years of research about herbs have taught him their effectiveness in curing diseases.
He lectured that tiger-nut, nutria-C fruits, cucumbers, coconut water, vegetables, are very good for sickle cell patients. "Conversely, if you want to kill a sickle cell patient easily, give him/her foods preserved with sodium benzoic, egusi soup, achi soup, lemon, lime.” He added.
The Professor of Medical Biochemistry, further encouraged the University Community and the general public to eat healthy foods and use herbs as an alternative medicine in treating diseases, "God authorized man to use herbs to cure various sickness". He concluded.
Director, Center for Natural and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Tom Okpuisi, in his speech said, they do not out rightly condemn orthodox medicine, they, however, believe that nature has all the answers to human problems.
He maintained that the secret to long healthy life was adherence to nature, "when herbs are mentioned, people have the impression of herbalist, no, that's not supposed to be so. Herbs if properly used can rejuvenate you", he said.
The Directorate of Natural and Alternative Medicine of Gregory University Uturu, had earlier, organized a one month training for persons above sixty years in the university community, on the use of herbs to cure ailments like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, prostrate, fibroid, arthritis among other old age related ailments.
Admonishing them during the seminar, he said "The importance of this teaching was to make you take charge of your health, nobody can take care of you more than yourself. So we urge you to take what you learned in the training seriously and ensure you practice what you are thought".
Some of the trainee, testified that since they began practicing some of what they were thought at the one month training, there are much positive difference in their health situation.
They asked the Directorate and the Management to expand the study to accommodate people from outside the University community, maintaining that it would go along way to reduce sickness and improve the general economy of the Abia state.
