Lifestyle

Traditional medicine practitioners should be regulated on social media

Published

Saturday, 19 April 2025, 7:43 am

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Traditional medicine practitioners should be regulated on social media. When 32-year-old Kolapo discovered that he had stage three hemorrhoids, he was devastated. He underwent lifestyle changes for two years until his surgery—and even after it. But before he finally resorted to having the hemorrhoidectomy done, he had tried several herbal remedies, including a popular brand associated with aphrodisiacs on Instagram.

“Nothing worked. Not even the herbal concoction I bought from this very popular brand on Instagram. I spent ₦25,000 to buy the product and this was after I watched famous content creators in a skit advertising it as the complete cure for pile. The claims they made were, of course, exaggerated but I was completely convinced at the time that it was genuine. Why else would these creators leverage their brand that they worked so hard to build if the product was inauthentic?” he told Pulse Nigeria.

The culture passed down

While Kolapo’s experience may be similar to other people who have fallen prey to the bogus claims of traditional medicine practitioners in promotional online materials, the fact remains that herbal mixtures have been a regular staple healthcare solution from time immemorial in Africa.

“Traditional medicine works. I have used orthodox drugs in the past for some serious ailments but they did not work at all because I kept experiencing the symptoms as I did before starting any drug. I had to go to the market, buy some herbs and leaves and boil them together so that I can get complete healing,” Kehinde, 50-year-old mother-of-five shared with Pulse.

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Writer and content creator, Anita also had this to say, “My sister ordered a herbal drink from her friend in Enugu to treat an infection, including malaria and typhoid. It cost ₦17,000 but it did not work at all. It did nothing. Zilch. Instead it seemed to have brought the symptoms to the surface for her. Now she has to treat it with Western medicine.”

And the reason for this is not far-fetched. These herbal mixtures promise complete cure in addition to easy accessibility and affordability. “My sister who has now sought Western medicine for the treatment of malaria, typhoid, and infection (which she tried to cure with the herbal drink but failed) was given a quote of ₦40,000 for injections and drugs at the hospital,” Anita further shared.

More recently, government agencies like the Department of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board have also sprang up. Similarly, practitioners have joined forces to form unions like the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association of Nigeria and Association of Integrative Medicine Practitioners.

However, these bodies have failed to meet expectations with regard to comprehensive and strict regulatory policies for the assessment of production quality and testing, and most especially, verification of claims made by practitioners using social media to market their products.

The problem

While they have recorded a few physical victories in terms of shutdowns and sanctions, the problem remains that practitioners have been allowed to engage in a free-for-all on social media for far too long. In a brief chat with Pulse, Dr Adebisi Olusegun of the Association of Integrative Medicine Practitioners, revealed that majority of them do not have the licence to practise the trade. “I can boldly tell you that most of the people who advertise unverified herbal remedies or traditional medicine on social media are not real—about 90% of them are not. Some of them do that purposely because of money while others inherited the trade from their great grandfathers,” he said.

Thousands of people have bought and ingested unverified herbal products from social media only to end up with deep regrets due to their inefficacy or worse, dangerous side effects. “I had an encounter with someone who bought an aphrodisiac on social media. After using it, he had a prolonged erection, what is known in medical terms as priapism. He was in pain for almost one week before he sought medical attention. Mind you, there are toxicological concerns too. Some of these products can have adverse effects which may affect vital organs such as the liver, heart and kidney,” Patrick Iwelunmor, Editor, Pharmanews and Gatefield Pro-health Journalism Fellow shared with Pulse.

“I am aware that the indiscriminate use of the social media space by traditional medicine sellers can be misleading and in fact harmful. This is because most of their claims are unsubstantiated. Secondly, there is the problem of dosage and administration which could have been settled if they were NAFDAC registered. Any traditional medicine not registered by NAFDAC is considered fake and substandard,” he added.

A digital-savvy traditional medicine practitioner. This image was generated using an AI model.

What can be done

Relevant agencies need to enforce thorough regulation on false advertising by herbal medicine practitioners. They should not be allowed to make absolute claims, especially on social media. Stiffer sanctions should also be applied.

“I share the view that the social media space should be seriously regulated for those marketing traditional medicines. Even in the conventional pharmaceutical product marketing, you cannot advertise or market your products without getting approval from NAFDAC and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). The same system should be adopted for social media marketing of traditional medicines. Medicine is highly scientific and deals with empirical knowledge. That something worked for me does not mean it would work for everyone. While orthodox medicine is highly based on scientific procedure, most traditional medicine sellers base their claims on speculation. Hence, the reason we have to be very careful,” Iwelunmor noted.

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Lifestyle

5 uncommon PMS symptoms that might surprise you

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2025

Julie

Contents

Heightened sense of smell Vivid dreams and disturbed sleep Digestive changes Depression and anxiety Bloating Bonus symptom: Excessive farting

When it comes to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), most people expect the usual suspects: cramps, irritability, and mood swings.

But PMS isn’t always predictable and for some women, their PMS comes with a range of lesser-known symptoms that can be surprising and even confusing.

Here are some uncommon PMS symptoms that many women experience.

ALSO READ: How to easily remove period blood stains from sheets

Heightened sense of smell

Some women develop a much sharper sense of smell in the days leading up to their period. Scents that usually go unnoticed like perfumes your neighbour is wearing, the food they are cooking two houses away or even body odour suddenly become overwhelming. This heightened sense of smell is linked to fluctuating estrogen levels.

Vivid dreams and disturbed sleep

Another uncommon PMS symptom some women experience is change in sleep patterns leading to restlessness, insomnia, or extremely vivid dreams. Sleep disturbances can also intensify mood swings and fatigue during this time.

Digestive changes

PMS can also trigger unexpected digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, or excessive gas. These are usually caused by hormonal effects on the digestive tract, particularly a drop in progesterone.

ALSO READ: What it’s really like to endure the torture of period cramps every month

Depression and anxiety

While mild mood changes are common with PMS, some women experience intense emotional symptoms like sudden anxiety, sadness, irritability, or even depressive and suicidal thoughts. These emotional shifts are linked to fluctuations in hormones and in more severe cases, it may be a sign of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

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Bloating

For some women, abdominal bloating is common during the days leading to their period. But then, for some this bloating is taken to another level as it occurs in their face, hands and even feet. This bloating is usually due to water retention caused by hormonal shifts, particularly involving estrogen and progesterone.

Bonus symptom: Excessive farting

Three or four days after having their period, some women experience excessive farting. While this is not actually a PMS symptom, it is the end result of bloating before they had before the period. Most of that water retention bloated face leads to more gas being trapped in the intestines, and then excessive flatulence with the gas released via farting, which doesn’t smell bad by the way.

Did any of these symptoms shock you?

ALSO READ: Here is why raspberry leaf tea is good for your health as a woman

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Lifestyle

Bet Risk-Free! ₦1000 Back If You Lose with Bet9ja and Pulse Sports

Published

11 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Julie

Contents

Heightened sense of smell Vivid dreams and disturbed sleep Digestive changes Depression and anxiety Bloating Bonus symptom: Excessive farting

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Lifestyle

If your zodiac sign is Leo or…, you may most likely be successful in life

Published

23 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Julie

Contents

Some zodiac signs exude influence, leadership, or charisma, while others hold quiet strength in their resilience, wisdom, or emotional depth.1. Scorpio 2. Leo 3. Aries 4. Capricorn 5. Libra 6. Taurus 7. Cancer 8. Gemini 9. Virgo 10. Aquarius 11. Sagittarius 12. Pisces

Some zodiac signs exude influence, leadership, or charisma, while others hold quiet strength in their resilience, wisdom, or emotional depth.

Based on planetary rulership, astrological archetypes, and common personality traits, astrologers agree that certain signs naturally carry more commanding energy than others. The strongest zodiac signs are often seen as more influential and commanding than others, thanks to traits like leadership, determination, vision, and charisma.

Each zodiac sign brings its unique strengths and challenges to the table. Each sign holds a different kind of potential. So, what is the strength of your zodiac sign? Let’s dive in:

ALSO READ: 5 Character Traits All Cancer Zodiac Signs Have In Common

1. Scorpio

Scorpios are mysterious, magnetic, and deeply passionate. Scorpio is a force to be reckoned with. They are naturally influential and even intimidating. Their unfiltered emotions and intense presence make them unforgettable. When they walk into a room, people feel it. They’re not just powerful, they’re transformative.

2. Leo

Leos don’t just walk into a room; they command it. Leo is made to shine. They are bold, charismatic, and fiercely loyal. Their confidence and unapologetic passion make them natural leaders, and their energy is contagious. When Leo speaks, people listen.

3. Aries

Aries is raw power in motion. This fire sign is bold, brave, and always ready to leap into the unknown. Aries doesn’t wait for permission, they create opportunities. Their fearless drive and willingness to stand alone make them one of the strongest signs when it comes to ambition and execution.

4. Capricorn

Capricorn’s strength lies in its discipline and long game. Capricorn plays by the rules, but they play to win. They are calculated, composed, and committed to excellence. While others burn out, Capricorn keeps climbing, often becoming leaders and mentors along the way.

5. Libra

Libra has soft power. Libra wields charm, diplomacy, and social intelligence like a sword. They know how to sway a room without ever raising their voice. With an uncanny ability to connect and convince, Libra often finds themselves surrounded by powerful allies, sometimes becoming the power behind the throne.

ALSO READ: 5 Character Traits All Gemini Zodiac Signs Have in Common

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6. Taurus

Taurus tends to be successful in life. Taurus is grounded and determined and knows how to attract abundance and stability. Their practical nature, reliability, and refusal to give up make them quietly powerful. Others trust them, and that trust often translates into influence.

7. Cancer

Cancer’s strength is emotional intelligence. They have a unique ability to nurture, protect, and guide others through even the toughest storms. Their sensitivity and intuition often put them in positions of influence, whether as leaders, caregivers, or trusted confidants. People naturally gravitate to their comforting presence.

8. Gemini

Gemini is quick-witted, versatile, and always two steps ahead. They thrive on communication and learning and hold power through knowledge, networking, and adaptability. While their dual nature can seem chaotic, it gives them the edge to connect with anyone and thrive in any environment.

9. Virgo

Virgos are precise, focused, and analytical. Their power lies in their attention to detail and ability to solve complex problems. Their work ethic and organisational skills make them reliable and often indispensable. But they tend to downplay their strengths, sometimes forgetting just how powerful they truly are.

10. Aquarius

Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planet of innovation and revolution. These independent thinkers are often ahead of their time, holding power in their ideas and humanitarian values. But their aloofness and need for detachment can sometimes hold them back from fully stepping into leadership roles.

11. Sagittarius

Sagittarius values freedom over power. They’re on a lifelong quest for truth and adventure. Their optimism and charisma are undeniable, but their noncommittal nature often prevents them from seizing traditional forms of power.

12. Pisces

Pisces may not crave power in a conventional sense but they’re intuitive, imaginative, and deeply connected to the emotional realm. While their sensitivity is a gift, it can sometimes leave them vulnerable to being overlooked or taken for granted. Their strength comes from compassion, but they may need stronger boundaries to step into their full potential.

ALSO READ: 5 Capricorn Character Traits You’ll Totally Relate To If You’re The GOAT Of The Zodiac