After two years of legal wrangling, the controversial complementary medicine regulations are to be reviewed and adjudicated this week. Starting on Tuesday, Traditional and Natural Health Alliance (TNHA) Chairperson Anthony Rees will be representing the Alliance of Natural Health Products South Africa (ABHPSA) before the Gauteng North High Court. This case places under … [Read more...]
Healing in the time of Corona
Thanks to a clever little virus, our collective hamster wheel has come to an abrupt halt, throwing many of us off and spinning in the other direction, towards ourselves. My fear is that between the Vitamin C popping, baking and Zoom calls, we are avoiding the questions that lie beneath the conspiracy theories and that bring us face to face with our mortality. Questions that … [Read more...]
Sniffing lavender during stressful times
One of the best-known and most-valued essential oils in use today is Lavender (lavandula angustifolia.) People either like or dislike certain smells, so the unmistakable scent of Lavender may or may not be your preference. However, it is one of the most versatile and effective essential oils that is freely available to purchase. It is a great ‘go to’ oil for so many … [Read more...]
How does medicinal cannabis work in South Africa?
Medicinal cannabis is on everyone’s lips nowadays. Yet there is much confusion about how to use or prescribe medicinal cannabis, as well as the legalities around dispensing and distributing this product. Now a Cannabis Panel Discussion by leaders in the field will demystify this current and important topic at the 2nd Conference for Integrative Medicine at the Lord Charles … [Read more...]
Your right to choose natural health products is under threat
Be warned …your favourite herbal, homeopathic and nutritional products will soon either be banned or become unaffordable, unless you say ‘NO!‘ This will later expand to include natural skincare products and African Traditional Medicines. The current regulatory regime imposed on traditional & natural health products stems from controversial ‘Complementary Medicine … [Read more...]
Should healing CBDs become a schedule 4 prescription drug?
On the 28th of July the Medicines Control Council, in consultation with the Minister of Health gazetted a regulatory notice scheduling various substances in terms of section 22A(2) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act No. 101 of 1965). One of the substances hidden at the bottom of page 27 of the gazette was Cannabidiol, or more commonly known as CBD. All … [Read more...]
Will SA government protect our indigenous medicine?
Southern Africa possesses a remarkable diversity of indigenous plants, coupled with rich cultural traditions on the use of plants for medicine. Despite huge strides in provision of health care, many rural areas still do not have easy access to Western primary health care and veterinary services. Even where clinics and allopathic medicines are readily available, a large … [Read more...]
Food Gardening part 3: Planning a food garden
The key to having a successful food garden lies in being realistic about what you hope to achieve, given the resources you have available. These are some things to think about that will help ensure success. All food gardens require regular attention in the form of weeding, watering and other small tasks that ensure the crops grow well. The amount of attention a food … [Read more...]
Health for all demands switch from intervention to prevention
Despite the best efforts of our National Department of Health to reduce the burden of disease in South Africa, many of today’s most common diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases of lifestyle continue to rise sharply in numbers. Just the number of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes continues to rise unabated, despite increasing disease management … [Read more...]
Omega 7: a key healthy saturated fat and lipid regulator
Fats, both healthy and unhealthy, get a lot of airtime these days. That’s particularly because it’s become apparent that the notion that was preached for over 3 decades through public health policy, that saturated fats are bad and (poly)unsaturated fats good, is utterly wrong. The reality is much more complex. There are some healthy saturated fats, and some healthy and … [Read more...]
Zuma signs away our access to natural health
It has happened. President Jacob Zuma has signed the Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Bill 6 of 2014 into law in terms of section 84(2) of the Constitution. This new Act creates a new legal framework for the Medicines Control Council (MCC) to be scrapped, and for the establishment of a new South African Health Products [sic] Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), similar … [Read more...]
Constitutional right to natural health products under jeopardy
Does your health depend on natural supplements, remedies or traditional products? Do you know that a proposed new bill is threatening the availability of the products you rely on? Some are already impossible to get hold of. Then sign a petition by the Traditional and Natural Health Alliance to the National Council of Provinces to stop Bill 6, which may destoy your choice to … [Read more...]
Natural Medicines Part 2: Storm brewing in the medicine pot
Will the complementary medicines which practitioners currently use for their patients continue to be available after the new government regulations have become law? This is an issue which many are wrestling with – and something which concerns users and dispensers alike, as we are all likely to be affected. Last week the Registrar of The Allied Health Professions Council of … [Read more...]
