More than 300 traditional healers and many other guests crowded into the Old Assembly Hall of Parliament last week to listen as the Traditional and Natural Health Alliance (TNHA) presented its views on an amendment to the Medicines Act Bill 6 (also known as the SAPHRA Bill) to the Portfolio Committee of Health. It has been almost 50 years since the Medicines Act of 1965 was … [Read more...]
Fight for your right to natural health
Our rights to natural health are under threat in this country. This since the Department of Health, during November 2013, passed new regulations to control complementary medicines in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs. In response the Natural Health Alliance was formed last month, chaired by Dr Bernard Brom (photograph on the right)), an Integrative Doctor, who has used … [Read more...]
An avo tree a day keeps the carbon at bay
In a partnership to promote a greener Gauteng, Andiccio24 has joined forces with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) to plant trees. Lots of them. In fact, one a day for a whole year. Andiccio24’s Jerome Kourie, “Our involvement in this initiative will result in many community centres and schools in underdeveloped areas acquiring fruit trees and being taught the skills to … [Read more...]
Wild about Weeds Part 6: Dune Spinach
Dune Spinach is a spreading shrub with dark green, sessile, glistening succulent leaves. Its family name is Aizoaceae (carpetweed family) and name Tetragonia decumbens. The sheen is caused by small, shiny, water-storage cells that cover the surface of the leaf (similar to the ice plant). The small, 4-petalled, yellow flowers are situated in groups of 3-5 in the upper leaf … [Read more...]
Health professionals worldwide demand urgent climate action
Health and medical organizations from around the world are calling on governments to respond to the major health risks described in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s recent Second Working Group reporting, ‘Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation,’ which was released on Monday. In a briefing document summarizing the IPCC report’s implications for health, … [Read more...]
The cost of coal fired power stations to people and planet
When building new coal fired power stations, are those bent on this path for energy provision factoring in the cost to human health and the environment? In recent years, South Africa has experienced power deficits and load shedding. Subsequently, the SA government had started building new power stations in order to supplement the country’s socio-economic energy demands. This … [Read more...]
Illegal miners: Poisoning is better than poverty
Flanked by fields of millet and groundnut, the northern Nigerian outpost of Bagega is so far out on the periphery of the global economy that when the financial crisis struck in 2008 few residents had any idea it was happening. And no one in a village without cars, electricity or tarred roads imagined it would end up indirectly poisoning hundreds of their children. "We knew … [Read more...]
Wild about Weeds Part 5: Mustard Family
The Mustard Family or Brassicaceae is one of the easiest groups of plants to identify in the wild and all members of this family are edible, though whilst none will poison you, there are those that taste better than others. There are however, one or two suspect agricultural modifications to be mindful of. Easy ID tip: all you need to remember is "4 petals with 6 stamens - 4 … [Read more...]
Wild about Weeds Part 4: Purslane
Puslane is delicious and nutritious. A great option for those who are just starting to forage and haven’t yet developed the taste for it yet. It is also super easy to grow and is a great little ground cover that helps to stop the soil from drying out too much in summer. Soft, succulent purslane leaves have more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy green and even more … [Read more...]
Herbs for healthy chickens
There are a number of common herbs we can grow for chickens for general health. Herbs can also be used to treat chooks for infestations of worms, lice and mites. General poultry tonics and laying stimulants include, garlic, onion, chickweed dandelion, fennel, wormwood, rue, cleavers, cress, marigold, mint, vervain, comfrey, mullein roots, thyme, marjoram, sage, nasturtium, … [Read more...]
Wild About Weeds Part 3: Dandelion
Dandelion reminds us of the abundance that life holds. The seed head is symbolic of this - since it was believed that if you make a wish or focus on your dearest dream and then blow the seeds. These little messenger seeds will carry your wishes to the heavens - thereby making your dreams come true. Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) Habitat: Found in a very wide variety … [Read more...]
Contaminated water ruled out for diarrhea in Durban
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dlomo says contaminated water and infant formula are not the cause of the diarrhea outbreak that resulted in the death of 30 infants at three Durban hospitals. The deaths occurred between May and June and more than 1700 children have since been seen by various medical facilities. About 22 of the deaths were reported at Prince Mshiyeni … [Read more...]
Grow your own food step 4: Veggie planting & managing pests
Our next garden lesson involves the planning and planting of your seedlings, in your veggie beds. Just to revise… some plants that are not suitable to transplant are: carrots, radish, beetroot, peas, beans, corn, pumpkin, melons & butternut. These are generally to be planted straight into the veggie beds. Veggies suitable to be transplanted from a seed box or tray are … [Read more...]
