Abstract:
The ethnomedicine industry inherently developed de novo in the evolutionary history of humanity to provide healthcare
services. This industry has existed long before the currently preferred conventional medicine and by then was the only
trusted means of healthcare to humanity. Ethnomedicine has evolved and diversified into specializations along ethnic
groupings worldwide. Nevertheless, attitude towards ethnomedicine is usually polarized varying from contemptuous
dismissal to romantic glorification. Rarely does one come across people with balanced views. The discussion is based
on 9 issues: view of ethnoknowledge of health from the early days, discovery and development of ethnomedicines,
specializations in ethnomedicines, challenges and limitations, terminologies that shape ethnomedicine industry,
merits and demerits of ethnomedicines, existing opportunities and the way forward. The ethnomedicine industry, just
like any other field of professionalism, was not without challenges and limitations that affected its realization of full
potential. In this discussion, 24 challenges and limitations are outlined but not limited to:- lack of information on
standards, safety and efficacy, capacity building of ethnopractitioners, colonialism, climate change, witchcraft, sociopolitics, recognition of ethnosystems, research and biased documentation, emerging diseases and pathogens, market
value-chain, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, anthropogenic activities, sources of ethnomedicines, legal frameworks,
harvesting, preparation, administration and storage methods, gender issues, poor remembrance of ethnomedical
knowledge, existence of quackery, sources of ethnomedicines, biopiracy and bioprospecting, lack of mechanisms for
monitoring and evaluation of ethnomedicines, advancement in human evolution and civilization, biological evolution
and invasive alien species, stigmatisation due to poor perceptions and attitudes about ethnomedicines and competitive
supremacy amongst ethnopractitioners and conventional practitioners, have all not favoured the industry. However, the
use of ethnomedicines has tremendously increased and continues to increase albeit the above challenges and limitations
facing the industry. The challenges and limitations are broadly and critically discussed while outlining opportunities
and giving away forward.
