JOZANI natural FOREST
zanzibar treasures in wild
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importance of spices and heRbal MEDICINES IN ZaNZIBAR
Yussuf H. Kombo
Several studies and reports have shown that Zanzibar has many valuable plant species some of them not well documented. Most of them have medical, commercial and recreational values not known to many. Their potential uses have not yet been fully exploited. Coral rag and deep fertile lands for instance, are having hundreds of species of which under deep studies can be useful in medication. Most of medicinal plants are found in natural forests and community farm lands.
Forests in Zanzibar provide essential ingredients for traditional medications. As well, the recent development of traditional heals industry benefits from the discovery of more medicinally useful plants, which advance the use of new medicines and treatments. Forest plants have already provided medications for some forms of disease that proved difficult to find right treatment in hospitals (Kombo et al 2008). However, detailed studies on medicinal plants and their associated products such as essential oils have not yet been deeply conducted, although, a number of shallow studies to assess the values of plants have been done by both local experts and outsiders. In most cases the value of these documents remains in shelves as few have seen them. It might be due to lack of resources, interest in medicinal and spices plants and sometimes negligence (Kombo, 2010).
Medicinal and spices plants are among the Non Wood Forest Products (NWFP) of Zanzibar islands. The NWFP are widely collected in Zanzibar and contribute significantly to socio-economic well being of the societies. Kombo et al 2008 highlighted that, the NWFP which are plant in origin, are classified into seven groups including food; fodder; raw material for medicine and aromatic products; colorants and dyes; utensils, handicrafts and construction; ornamental plants and other plants products. The historical perspectives of NWFPs of Zanzibar depicted the unique feature of the massive production and export of non-wood products to Gulf countries and other world. The chief commodities involved tannin from mangroves forest, honey, spices and other domesticated NWPs including cloves. (Kombo et al. 2008).
Herbal products offer diverse benefits to Zanzibar and East Africa citizens that include food, medicines, income and employment. Non-wood forest products industry in Zanzibar can be generally characterized as small in size, consumed domestically by the collectors, accessible to the poor. Livelihood security is increased by the income generated from marketing NWFPs. For instance The sales of oils and spices generate considerable amount of income annually. Other medicinal related products made from forest are honey, nectar, local produced spice products such as soaps etc. For instance the sap of many tree species including Hevea braziliensis (Rubber) and tannin from mangroves species particularly Ceriops tagal have been sources of many valuable commercial products (Kombo et al. 2008).
At present, the amounts of local medicinal shops have increased and number of patients has tremendously increased. Before 1964, Zanzibar had only two traditional medicinal shops namely Angal Marango and Salehe Madawa, both placed in Zanzibar town. At present, 46 shops were found and 16 of them are in rural areas (Kombo et al. 2008). Almost 99% if not all Zanzibaris are using herbs and spices in one way or another. The culture of using herbal producrs in food in Zanzibar goes beyong history. However, the contribution of herbs and spices in Zanzibar econony health and social life has not been calcualted properly thus leaving the gap.
