POPULAR APHRODISIACS OF ZAMBIA NOAH ZIMBA,

• POPULAR APHRODISIACS OF ZAMBIA
  NOAH ZIMBA,
  
  DIVISION OF FORESTRY RESEARCH BOTANY AND ECOLOGY SECTION, HERBARIUM NDO,
  FORESTRTY DEPARTMENT
  OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL RESEARCH OFFICER
  P.O. BOX 22099, KITWE,
  ZAMBIA
  E-mail: sadctscn@zamnet.zm
  
  
  ABSTRACT
  
  
  Lesley Bremness in her book entitled "Herbs" wrote that herbs are plants that connect us to the past, present and future and that many healing remedies that involve plants are selected by observation, inspiration and experience, making skilled healers highly valued members of society. This paper generally discusses medicinal plants and practices in Zambia. However, its main focus is on popular aphrodisiacs. The report is based on ethnobotanical exercises, taxonomic searches and testimonies of random users. 15 plant species are highlighted as popular sources of aphrodisiacs, noting its habit, habitat, part used, preparation and dosage. Aspects of impact of aphrodisiacs on the social fibre of mature society based on the Copperbelt province is briefly outlined.
  
  Accessibility, utilisation, harvesting and conservation of medicinal plants especially for extraction of aphrodisiacs are also discussed. It also identifies the main problems affecting development of herbal medicines and proposes possibilities for promotion and development of formulations.
  
  POPULAR APHRODISIACS OF ZAMBIA
  
  BACKGROUND
  
  Nearly all cultures from ancient times to the present day have used plants as sources of medicines. In Zambia, despite many ethnic variations, use of herbal medicines cut across these tribal boundaries. In fact, turning to plants for healing is a natural instinct as old as human behaviour itself. However there has been no clear division in the mind of many, especially the young and the educated between rational and magical remedies. This lack of clear distinction between various media of operation like substance, exorcism, autosuggestion, operative witchcraft, etc. has left the common man rather confused and somewhat alienated from benefits the of medicinal plants.
  
  Nowadays especially in the last 5 years we have witnessed significant public interest and openness in the use of herbal medicines. The era of secrecy and suspicion is increasingly that of enthusiasm, confidence and partnership. This change is witnessed at all levels of society and status. The main obstacle hindering final infusion of herbal remedies into the modern health delivery system is the ethical bridge between herbal and synthetic medicines. Although most medical doctors recognise and believe in herbal medicines the pharmaceutical regulatory provisions are unfavourable to the development of herbal remedies.
  
  In order to keep my paper within bounds; I have focused on aphrodisiacs popularly used in Zambia. I have excluded remedies based on operative witchcraft, including spiritual divination. For this paper aphrodisiacs represent substances that directly or indirectly stimulate or increase sexual libido or cures impotency. Although this presentation identifies more aphrodisiacs for men than women, both men and women use some preparations. It suffices to state that like many Africans, cultures in Zambia attach great importance to high libido and potency in men. It is considered as an important ingredient for consolidating social fibre and family set ups especially amongst traditional communities. According to Traffic Network Report there are over 35,000 traditional healers in Zambia and this is an important resource to both rural and urban areas.
  
  OBJECTIVES
  
  To identify and document sources of plant aphrodisiacs in Zambia
  To establish its social and economic relevance amongst communities
  To gauge effects of harvesting on the effected species
  
  METHOD
  
  This work was generated using the following tools;
  * Literature review of information contained in herbarium NDO Kitwe, particularly unpublished species information with regard to medicinal use by various ethnic groups of Zambia.
  
  * Ethno-botanical surveys were conducted guided by a questionnaire in NorthWestern, Western, Southern, Copperbelt and Northern provinces of Zambia covering 50 traditional healers and 90 people selected randomly. 60% of the simple population was from Copperbelt province, where data pertaining to practising traditional healers was obtained due to easy accessibility
  * Samples of concoctions and infusions of some species were collected and testimonies of random users were noted.
  
  ANALYSIS
  
  Data collected was analysed focusing on:
  whether plant aphrodisiacs were used
  species used
  species distribution
  frequency of use
  
  FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
  
  1.Users and Practitioners
  
  From random samples of 90 users and 50 herbalists, the following data was established:
  86% of Zambian men and women believed in the use of plant aphrodisiacs;
  close to 70% of people consulting traditional healers have also a libido need;
  82% of those who used plant-based aphrodisiacs reported that it worked;
  55% of the sampled population with libido need were reported not to have access to it because they were either too shy to consult a herbalist or not aware of any;
  
  the commonest form in which aphrodisiacs were prepared was in powder form and taken in beer or beverages;
  a tablespoon of pouverised aphrodisiac cost about US$2;
  the commonest plant part used for preparation of aphrodisiacs were roots and barks.
  
  2.Accessibility and Utilisation
  A substantial percentage of Zambian mature population is not satisfied with the state of their sexual libido. The reasons could be more of psychological rather than physiological; which ever is the reason it is a matter many can't hold to themselves for too long. The majority of local herbalists indicate that the extent of its social and physiological damage on those affected is devastating and requires attention. There is substantial evidence that aphrodisiacs from plants are effective and have no permanent side effects. However it is not noted that when used in excess it leads to sexual abuse of partners.
  
  Sadly about half of those in need of libido stimulation are unable to access it due to not only psychological complexes but also limited accessibility to sources of good aphrodisiacs. Infact where such a one is known, one becomes so popular that ones name is discussed in social gatherings and can raise significant income from its sales. Interestingly high profile people lead in this need for aphrodisiacs.
  
  Local herbalists indicate that the number of women consulting herbalists for aphrodisiacs surpassed that of men., women folk, unlike their male counterparts sought aphrodisiacs not only for themselves but also for their male partners. Infact some married women testified on how they put aphrodisiacs in their husbands' meals without the formers knowledge.
  
  The powder form in which most aphrodisiacs are prepared makes it easier to carry and administer. It is commonly accepted amongst Zambiam men to share a packet of powder in a glass of beer at a club. That is why it is joyous to hunt a re-known aphrodisiac to share with friends at a club or drinking place.
  
  3.Harvesting and Conservation
  
  Considerable damage is done to plants during collection because common parts harvested are roots and barks. Evidence of total damage was noticed in the field.
  
  Trees were ring-barked and dried while some were completely uprooted in search of root minerals. In cities where business is lucrative, populations of popular species have greatly dwindled. Herbalists now have to travel hundreds of miles in search of these species. Unfortunately, there are no serious efforts of artificial multiplication of these plants by either the traditional healers themselves or the state and the conservation groups. Some of these species such as Dacrodes edulis are threatened with over harvesting.
  
  4.Limitation
  
  Development of herbal medicines in Zambia is affected by several factors that work against the traditional medicine man. As earlier alluded to, the ethical bridge between herbal medicines and conventional medicines make it very difficult for herbalists to make a breakthrough. The modern health delivery system does not give them a chance to prove the potency of their drugs. The complexity of the process is far beyond the reach of ordinary traditional healers.
  
  The forms in which most herbal medicines are presented are too crude for some people. The pouverised form is not good enough for clients and is associated with magic. Further, low hygiene among herbalists discourages a lot of clients who are conscious of what they take.
  
  The lack of competent manpower to explore into new dimensions of medicinal plants has greatly affected the development of herbal aphrodisiacs. There is a serious man power gap on expertise that can identify and interpret useful information and leads from local herbalists for development of improved herbal products. Related to this is failure to document adequately ethic knowledge of users of plants of Zambia. Valuable information and knowledge about medicinal plants in general is being lost as holders die away.
  
  The lack of support for research and new product development from local pharmaceutical companies frustrates local initiatives and efforts to develop new products from natural sources. This makes it very difficult to make a local scientific breakthrough and is a common complaint among local traditional healers who have great enthusiasm to submit some of their concoctions to pharmaceutical companies for commercial production.
  
  SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
  
  The use of plant aphrodisiacs among the Zambian population is wide spread. It is recognised that since time immemorial the Zambian people have successfully used various plants to stimulate their sexual libido. Despite the significant level of modernisation in its health delivery system citizens still find this old tradition to be truly dependable and effective. Modern science would certainly benefit a great deal to harness this sector.
  
  Against this background, I would like to suggest that the following steps would enhance benefits of local aphrodisiacs:
  
  * Formation of committees or working groups to solicit regional support to strengthen research and development of plant aphrodisiacs and herbal products in general. At least this would assist rationalise the limited national and international resource pools.
  
  * Establishment of centers for alternative medicines where herbal products will be promoted. This will provide facility for testing the efficacy of herbal medicines.
  
  * Manpower developments in specialised areas of economic botany and pharmacognoxy and other relevant fields.
  
  * Information centers to collect and disburse information on medicinal plants and link up people or scientists working on related projects. This will avoid duplication of work and rationalise utilisation of limited resources.
  
  * Develop methods of sharing benefits, production of phyto-medicines at local and national level.
  
  * Monitoring and assessments of wild populations of plant species harvested for the production of aphrodisiacs.
  
  
  REFERENCES
  
  i.)Lesley Bremness (1990). HERBS
  ii.)Marshall, N.T. (1998). Searching for a Cure: Conservation of Medicinal Wildlife Resources in East and Southern Africa. TRAFFIC International.
  iii.)Olayiwola Akerele, et al., (1991). The Conservation of Medicinal Plants

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