The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has re-enforced the need for local communities to establish herbal gardens. Local herbs have been acknowledged as a panacea to various ailments such as Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV), cancers and the current COVID-19 pandemic.
A teacher in Shurugwi district of Midlands, 310km south-west of Harare is one of the community members who have taken heed of the call and has established a thriving herbal garden.
Percy Mapudzi (47), a school teacher at Poshayi Primary School in Shurugwi district says traditional herbs are indispensable in the fight against global health challenges. Percy works with PELUM Zimbabwe Member, Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme (Scope) Zimbabwe to run the permaculture club at Poshayi Primary School.
During the lockdown while schools have been closed, Percy has developed a passion to grow herbs for traditional medicines.
“During the lockdown period, I have focused on herbs which boost immunity, have high nutritional value and are easy and quick to grow,” says Percy.
Percy is growing a variety of these herbs in the school garden. He has a variety of herbs such as moringa, lemon grass, lavender, basil, rosemary, worm wood, garden rue, yarrow and garlic. He now depends on these herbs in the treatment of some common illnesses as well as to improve and maintain his overall health.
“I now rely on traditional medicines to treat a wide spectrum of human ailments. I am dependent on these medicinal plants, at least for the treatment of basic ailments like colds, coughs, diarrhoea, fever, skin infections, sore eyes and tooth infection, headache, diabetes and High blood pressure,“ says Percy.
Percy encourages the growing and use of herbs.
“We cannot escape from nature because we are part of nature. Herbs are natural products. They are free from side effects, are not toxic, eco-friendly and locally available,” he says.