Traditional medicine should complement, not replace clinical care — Expert

Mohammed Adamu Daggo of Bioharb Global has called for a balanced approach to traditional plant knowledge and modern medicine, stressing that botanical remedies should not replace professional healthcare.

Speaking on the Back To The Roots campaign, Daggo said traditional plant knowledge and clinical medicine had distinct roles in healthcare and should not be treated as competing options.

“Going back to the roots does not mean going backwards. It does not mean abandoning modern medicine or replacing professional healthcare with traditional remedies. Modern medicine remains essential for preventing, diagnosing and treating illnesses,” he said.

He noted that generations had relied on observation and experience to develop knowledge of plants and their traditional uses long before the availability of modern laboratories and scientific equipment.

“Much of this knowledge existed long before modern laboratories and scientific equipment became available. Through observation and experience, generations learned about plants and incorporated them into their approaches to everyday health and wellbeing,” he said.

Daggo said traditional botanical knowledge deserved further examination and responsible evaluation, adding that people needed to make informed decisions about their health.

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“Caring for yourself should be intentional, and the knowledge behind your choices matters. By learning more about our botanical heritage, sharing valuable knowledge and making informed decisions about our health, we can help preserve something meaningful for generations to come,” he said.

He maintained that traditional knowledge could contribute to discussions about healthcare when properly evaluated, while professional medical care remained essential.