Apothecary is commonly viewed as plainly the art of mixing condiments and herbs for medicinal purposes. The word ‘apothecary’ is derived from apothecar meaning a place where wine, spices, and herbs were stored. During the thirteenth century, it came into use to describe a person who kept a stock of these commodities, which he sold from his shop or street stall. In the following paragraphs, we will look at apothecary in Nigeria.
Tracing apothecary is just like tracing back handwriting or cooking. There was no exact time or place, there was just a need. And it was provided for and then there was medicine. Medicine was not always what it was but rather a modern form of what used to be known as apothecary.
Ancient Apothecary
Ancient Apothecary was practiced by using herbs and spices around the surroundings to create elixirs, mixtures, condiments, syrups, balms, etc. for medicinal purposes. These condiments were used to cure common colds, flu, rashes, fever, and even severe illnesses like gastric problems and ulcers. There was always a plant or herb to cure or provide a remedy or balance.
In almost every part of the world there seemed to be apothecary though it was practiced differently, they all used natural herbs to cure ailments. In some cases, the plants used were also the same to cure the same ailments. Other times the herbs differed from the ailments. Some herbs were multifunctional, meaning that they had more than one usage.
In Asia, because tea was what they did best, Asians would harness these herbs and spices, bring them to a boil, and make tea out of them. They believed it cured the ailment faster as well as released the healing agents in them.
In India and most of Spain, they made most of the herbs into a fine paste, these paste were used as balms and could also be ingested. The paste was made with fine stone-crushing leaves, barks of trees, and spices like turmeric.
Other parts of the world and Apothecary
The French consumed more roots like beetroot, radishes, and turnips. They would make condiments like syrup out of these roots and mix them with spices to cure their ailments.
In Haiti, Hawaii, and Brazil, flowers were believed to have healing capabilities so to cure some of their ailments they made teas and balms with flowers and homegrown spices. Popularly in these regions, mint and hibiscus were used to cure common cold and fever. People in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia also used teas to cure their ailments but they had numerous processes and believed the longer a mixture of herbs stayed the more potent it became and they made mixtures in large pots and stored them.
In Africa, things were no different as there were several ways to cure ailments. Barks of trees and leaves were mostly used sometimes even the stems of certain fruits or trees were mixed to create a cure. They aided digestion as well as easy bowel movements in the morning. Most concoctions were accompanied by locally produced spirits to help the healing process. They believed that the body reacted better to treatment when it was hot. Specific ingredients were also put in soup to cure ailments.
Apothecary in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the use of herbs and concoctions was the main deal there were no other forms of treatments apart from traditional medicine. Every region then had treatment that was particular to them and they were famous for. Some even had cures for ailments in other regions and when it was discovered, the medication was sold in exchange for crops, livestock, and sometimes favors.
In the western part of Nigeria, “Agbo” is a famous condiment that is of two main types Agbo Jedi and Agbo iba known as a very bitter liquid depending on the type used. There are different reactions to Agbo as it works according to the body. The popular type consists of dogoyaro bark, lemongrass. It is sold and frequently used by those who believe in its potency. Agbo has several uses and can be used to cure several ailments, it is quite famous not only in the West but in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
- Agbo iba for malaria
- Agbo jedi for pile
- Agbo ale for strong erection
- Agbo idakole for quick ejaculation
- Agbo omode for children
- Agbo obiriomode for new born babies
- Agbo panju for urinary issues
- Agbo jedo jedo for typhoid
- Agbo atosi for gonorrhea
- Agbo inurirun for stomach ache
- Agbo iletutu for convulsion
- Agbo warapa for epilepsy[1]
- Agbo oyi oju for drowsiness
- Agbo awoka for arthritis
- Agbo akokoro for toothache
- Agbo giri for seizures[2]
- Agbo yetutu for cold
- Agbo opeyin for pack pain
- Agbo ito sugar for diabetes[3]
- Agbo beli beli for sore throat
- Agbo yora yora for weight loss
In the Eastern part of Nigeria, red oil is believed to be very effective and can even cure food poisoning. In the Southern part of Nigeria, when there is a loss of blood, periwinkle (popularly known as isam) is used to prepare meals served in large quantities. It was believed to restore blood in a sick person.
In the northern part of Nigeria, a soup made with baobab leaves called Miyan kuka was used to cure the common cold. They also made tea using Masoro (Ashanti pepper) and the stem of Fasakwari (candlewood) to cure fever and inflammation.
The famous Jatropha tanjorensis “hospital too far” leaves also are used to give blood to sick people and also improve fertility in women.
For headaches palm kernel oil is applied to the eyes, ears, and tongue. To cure stomach pains, a large quantity is ingested. It serves as a balm for inflammation and to cure the nerves. Coconut oil also served the function. Mango leaves, guava leaves, pawpaw leaves were used as antibiotics.
Lime leaves were boiled, drank, and used to bathe to cure malaria and typhoid.
Who then administered these condiments?
Firstly, some of them were widely known facts.
Secondly, some people mastered the art of apothecary they were generally known as Herbalists, it ran in the lineage of some families and was passed down from generation to generation. It was widely believed that it was a gift from the gods. The gods were usually consulted to know which herbs to use to cure a particular ailment or people blessed with such gifts knew exactly what to do. In other aspects, it was seen as a trade that could be learned.
During ancient times, these condiments were not prescribed or rationed, leading most of them to carry on for a long period but for ailments like fever and malaria once symptoms seemed to fade or disappear the medication stopped.
These traditional medical practices have continued to date although not as popular as it used to be with the introduction of modern-day medicine but it is still in use. Apothecary seemed to pave the way for modern-day medicine as even most of the tablets and pills are made with natural herbs.
There is a thin line between pharmacy and apothecary. Pharmacy is associated and more in line with modern medicine using drugs, and prescriptions that have been scientifically tested to treat specific conditions. Apothecary aligns with the use of herbs, and natural plants in the treatment of ailments. These two form the basis of the healthcare system.
Apothecary morphed into medicine, with the introduction of science and technology it just became better and more precise. The materials used in the production of drugs are mostly derived from these natural herbs. A good number of potent cough syrups make use of ginger, ginseng, or honey as throughout the years these ingredients have proved to be good cures for cough.
Apothecary has contributed greatly to medicine, even though some modern drugs do not match up to local medications. In some cases, modern drugs prove to be more potent but the reverse is the case in other instances. Not giving preference to the other it can be agreed that both do their fair share in the protection of human life.
[1] Agbo (Yoruba Herbs) as an Important Aspect of Trado-Medical Practices in Yorubaland, Nigeria
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
