Msgr Samuel Kléda, Archbishop of Douala, Cameroon

I am sharing my experience as a healer and some of the pathologies I have successfully treated using medicinal plants. In particular, I will discuss the therapeutic protocol I developed to combat the Coronavirus epidemic caused by the emerging SARS-COV-2 virus, which has challenged modern therapies and resulted in numerous casualties worldwide.

My journey into phytotherapy began with the study of African pharmacopoeia. Historically, this traditional medicine was largely abandoned in favor of modern medicine during the colonial era, as the latter offered free and comprehensive patient care. Consequently, people opted for these new health services.

However, African pharmacopoeia did not vanish; it continued to thrive as people sought out healers and wise individuals within their communities for health issues. Thus, both therapeutic approaches coexisted, providing a broader spectrum of healthcare options. If one approach did not yield satisfactory results, individuals would turn to the other.

It is important to highlight that many Africans and other populations worldwide still lack access to necessary healthcare due to financial constraints and disorganized health systems. This situation leaves many to fend for themselves, raising a critical question: How many lives are lost daily due to inadequate healthcare?

Access to healthcare for African populations presents significant challenges. Medicines produced in developed countries, where the standard of living is high, often become prohibitively expensive for African individuals who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Upon reaching Africa, these medicines incur various taxes, resulting in prices that may double or triple. Families must then dip into their meager savings, which are already stretched thin by basic living expenses. How can we solve this problem?

In 1988, I encountered this dire lack of healthcare firsthand when I became head of a small seminary housing approximately one hundred youths without sufficient funds for their medical needs. Confronted with this reality in 1990, I opted to adopt the approach used by their families: employing medicinal plants for treatment. Alongside another priest, we began exploring traditional healing methods from local village healers and nomadic practitioners frequenting markets with their botanical remedies.

The initial obstacle was gaining trust from these healers to share their plant-based healing knowledge with us, since our status as priests initially barred us from fully engaging with them. I recall sitting beside a healer at a market amidst judgmental stares; an internal conflict arose within me that was challenging both to articulate and surmount. This same conflict likely deters our medically trained doctors from seeking wisdom from these uneducated healers – whom they wrongly assume have nothing valuable to offer – thus widening the gap between conventional medicine and invaluable plant-based healing practices.

Through my research, I gathered various medicinal recipes from phytotherapists who generously shared their knowledge with me. To identify the plants, each phytotherapist guided me into the bush, showing me the ingredients for different recipes and providing the names of the plants in their language. Using African phytotherapy books I had acquired, I undertook the challenging task of identifying each plant – a process requiring considerable patience. This allowed me to study the plants, determine their toxicity, and establish the correct dosages for those seeking my help.

There is an art to be learned from healers. A healer is not merely someone who offers a plant-based remedy; they also care for the person suffering before them. The patient will describe their pain and often explain why they believe they fell ill, attributing their condition to an imbalance between themselves and their environment. The healer’s role is to restore this harmony, addressing not just the physical ailment but the whole person. This may involve helping the patient make peace with those around them or even offering a sacrifice if they practice traditional religion. The goal is to help the person heal and find peace, which is the ultimate aim of everyone.

This holistic approach to healing is also evident in the teachings of St Hildegard, as presented by Daniel Maurin.[1] For the German saint, healing involves caring for the entire person. This approach aligns with the World Health Organization’s definition of health: ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (...) The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being’.[2]

My research extended beyond African plants. In 1995, I was sent to Rome to pursue ecclesiastical studies, which provided an excellent opportunity to explore European medicinal plants. I was able to obtain medical books focused on phytotherapy and meet with phytotherapists in Italy and other European countries. These practitioners shared their expertise with me, teaching me about different preparation techniques, the role of phytotherapy in modern healthcare, and the interest Europeans have in this field.

I would like to highlight a remarkable phytotherapist of German origin who resides in the Puy-En-Velay region. He has embraced rural life and is passionate about preparing products using the spagyric method. He generously allowed me to consult some ancient books from his collection. Without this encounter, I would never have discovered this plant preparation technique, which is cherished by true plant enthusiasts.

In my quest to learn more about medicinal plants, I discovered essential oils, which are the most potent extracts of plants. Today, we are rediscovering their incredible powers. Dr. Jean Valnet, M.D., a renowned French phytotherapist, wrote: ‘Apart from their widely recognized antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, essential oils have antitoxic effects, antiviral actions, powerful energetic influences, and undeniable healing powers. They are poised to play an increasingly important role in the future’.[3] Plant essences are becoming more prominent in therapeutics today due to numerous studies and publications, offering new hope to many patients with severe conditions.

Jean Mességué, another esteemed French phytotherapist, expressed a similar sentiment: ‘I am certain that there is a plant to cure every disease on earth; yet my knowledge of plants remains limited’.[4] The resurgence of interest in phytotherapy supports his view. It is worth trusting in phytotherapy, from which modern medicine originated; all medical practitioners should reconsider its value.

My keen interest in phytotherapy is justified by the effectiveness of plants in treating severe pathologies where modern medicine falls short. The more I explored the world of plants, the more I discovered their efficacy. Medicine began with them, and humanity has always used them for health. The world stands to gain much by utilizing plants for healthcare. As Dr. Jean Valnet aptly noted: ‘We often return to simple medicine when faced with severe conditions that respond poorly to various modern therapies. It seems that starting with these simple remedies would have been more advantageous, saving time and effort’.[5]

When the Coronavirus pandemic broke out, I wondered if I could find a cure using the plant recipes I had collected. With limited information about the new virus – primarily that it attacked the lungs and caused death by suffocation – I relied on the known antiseptic, antiviral, and bactericidal properties of plants. It was a challenge, but I felt it was necessary to respond to the epidemic as our ancestors might have.

Recognizing that plants often work synergistically, I adapted my existing recipes used for other ailments, adjusting dosages to address the virulence of Covid-19. I developed two formulations: Adsak Covid and Elixir Covid.

Adsak Covid is based on seven essential oils: Melaleuca leucadendron (Cajuput), Ocimum basilicum (Basil), Juniperus communis (Juniper), Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree), Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary), and Cupressus sempervirens (Cypress).

Elixir Covid consists of eight plants: Allium sativum (Garlic), Aloe vera, Citrus limonium (Lemon), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass), Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove), Myristica fragans (Nutmeg), Xylopia aethiopica (Ethiopian Pepper), and Zingiber officinale (Ginger). These plants are known for their medicinal properties and as condiments, and are safe when used in the correct dosages.

The two formulations underwent three scientific analyses with the following results:

1. The University of Yaoundé I concluded: ‘The phytomedicines Elixir Covid and Adsak Covid possess antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. Given the results obtained, Elixir Covid and Adsak Covid showed no toxicity to the body’.
2. The Institute of Medicinal Plant Research and Studies of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation conducted a subacute analysis, which found: 1. Food and water consumption: Normal; 2. Percentage body weight: Normal; 3. Organ (liver, kidney, heart): Normal; 5. Kidney function test (Creatinine, Urea): Normal; lipids (Triglyceride, Cholesterol) and blood glucose: Normal; 7. Haematology (WBC, RBC, HCT, indices): Normal.
3. The J.S. Hamilton laboratory in Poland confirmed that Adsak Covid and Elixir Covid do not present toxicity, stating: ‘Sample description without any visible damages’.

The therapeutic properties of each plant are remarkable: they are bactericidal, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antispasmodic. These two medicines serve as powerful antiseptics for the pulmonary, urinary, and intestinal systems. Additionally, they act as general immune stimulants, cytophylactic agents promoting healthy cell growth, and anticoagulants preventing blood clots.

When the Covid-19 epidemic broke out in Cameroon, I administered these two medicines to the first infected individuals, and the results were very promising: all those who took this treatment recovered. Within 48 hours, the patients experienced significant improvement, breathing normally, regaining their sense of smell, and asking for food. These medicines proved effective against Covid-19 and also served as a preventive measure: individuals who took this treatment did not get infected and did not transmit the virus. In Cameroon and abroad, many people have been treated with these two associated medicines, resulting in few Covid-19 casualties and a swift containment of the epidemic.

It is important to highlight the synergistic effect of combining phytotherapy and aromatherapy. These two medicines clear the lungs of harmful substances, allowing the infected and fatigued person to recover quickly due to the diverse properties of each plant. For instance, essential oils generally help infected cells regenerate – a cytophylactic property – similar to certain plants like Aloe vera, which plays the same role: “It is a real mucilage with a pH of 4-5, suitable for cleaning mucous membranes while soothing and repairing damaged tissues’.[6]

For resistant diseases, modern phytotherapists suggest combining essential oils with antibiotics, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches. This integration revives the hope of curing various diseases.

Considering the analyses of the two medicines and their effectiveness, the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon has granted Marketing Authorization (MA) for them. Today, this therapeutic protocol is well known and appreciated by many. It is noteworthy that these two plant-based medicines are the first to receive Marketing Authorization in Cameroon and are now available in the country’s pharmacies.

Currently, these medicines are also used to treat other conditions, including pulmonary diseases (such as angina, asthma, bronchitis, flu, cold, whooping cough, and tuberculosis), urinary infections (such as gonorrhoea, cystitis, and leucorrhoea), general infections, various forms of cancer, and shingles. They have shown promising results, particularly in cancer treatment.

Phytotherapy offers a reliable means to combat incurable diseases; in the hands of skilled practitioners, plants become powerful healing tools. Throughout history, humanity has relied on plants to overcome successive epidemics. Dr. Jean Valnet highlights the effectiveness of plants against major epidemics, noting: ‘Without delving too far into the history of epidemics, we know that the great plague of the 14th century, known as the Black Death, killed 80 million people in Europe within a few years. Humanity triumphed over this plague. One might have feared that such massacres were the prelude to the annihilation of the human race, yet none of the populations thus decimated have disappeared. We will see that the frequent use of aromatics, that is to say their essences, played a role in this’.[7]

Humanity ha overcome the most serious epidemics with plants. It is unfortunate that today we often overlook this effective remedy that has been given to us and which we must protect. As stated in the book of Genesis: ‘Yahweh God took the man and put him in the garden to cultivate and keep it’ (Genesis 2:15). Everything man needs – food and medicine – can be found in the garden.

For the most serious diseases, healers rely on the extraordinary power of plants. By following their example, we can address various pathologies with effective treatments. For instance, the viruses of hepatitis B and C are destroyed by the plant Enantia chlorantha combined with Desmodium adscendens; the bark of Pigeum africanum (African plum tree) treats prostatitis; the most resistant intestinal worms are eradicated by Trichilia emetica; several plants, particularly Artemisia annua or afra, are used against malaria; Guiera senegalensis regulates blood pressure without side effects; and various forms of cancer are treated with aloe.

Additionally, some well-known recipes from around the world include the Swedish elixir, prepared with several plants, which remains a true panacea and is still used today.[8] The ancient balm of the Saint Saviour Pharmacy of Jerusalem, known in Italian as Antico Balsamo di Gerusalemme, was composed in the 18th century with 40 ingredients, mainly plants. The Franciscan brothers used it to treat the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This is how humanity has utilized plants to treat diseases throughout history.

Many diseases are treated with African medicinal plants; it is just a matter of knowing how to use them. They represent the future of medicine, as Dr. Jean Valnet wrote: ‘Phytotherapy and aromatherapy have the rare privilege of being both the oldest and the most current of therapies’.[9]

We are at a pivotal moment where true collaboration between phytotherapy and modern medicine is essential. These two therapies do not need to exclude each other; on the contrary, they should be integrated to serve human health. Some civilizations, like Chinese culture, have successfully developed their traditional medicine alongside conventional medicine. Those who study plants readily acknowledge the necessity of this collaboration. The two therapies complement each other, each offering what the other lacks. Philippe Mailhebiau noted: ‘It seems necessary to emphasize that chemotherapeutic principles, the basis of symptomatic intervention medicine useful in emergencies, and the principles of terrain on which natural medicines are based, more inclined to foundational treatments, can be seen as complementary; provided that their original motivations are maintained, namely the restoration and maintenance of individual and collective health’.[10]

Adding to Mailhebiau’s perspective, phytotherapy is comprehensive in its approach to care. Medical history shows that humanity has survived by treating itself with plants, overcoming the most serious epidemics with their help. What is lacking today is sufficient attention to phytotherapy. A WHO official from my city of Douala recently mentioned that the department of phytotherapy had been closed. However, after Covid-19, the leaders of the Organization recognized the need to focus more on phytotherapy. This is the path we must follow today: to give phytotherapy the attention it deserves.

In conclusion, it is impossible for humanity to distance itself from nature and plants. Let us consult a book that details the properties of the vegetables, fruits, and cereals we consume daily. We will be surprised to see that, for example, garlic, cabbage, onion, Hibiscus sabdariffa, celery and thyme all offer significant health benefits. By eating, we are healing ourselves. This is what we need to maintain good health. For the healthcare of African populations, a new health policy should be established to leverage phytotherapy, making it accessible to all. This would involve introducing the study of medicinal plants in medical schools so that African doctors can learn the secrets of African pharmacopoeia and giving greater attention to healers so they are willing to share their healing arts. A shift in mindset and a spirit of conversion are necessary. More effective healthcare is needed in developing countries, and this is the path we must follow today.

[1] Daniel Maurin, Sainte Hildegarde, La santé entre ciel et terre, Edit. Trois Fontaines, 1991.

[2] Preamble to the WHO Constitution, 1946, quoted by Paul Maurin, in Sainte Hildegarde, la santé entre ciel et terre, Edit. Trois fontaines, 1991, p. 13.; https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

[3] Jean Valnet, Aromathérapie, Traitement des maladies par les essences des plantes, édit. Maloine, Paris 1990, p. 24.

[4] Maurice Mességué, Mon herbier de santé, édit. Laffont, Paris, 1975.

[5] Aromathérapie, p. 17.

[6] Ernesto Riva, L’Universo delle piante medicinali, Trattato storico, botanico e farmacologico di 400 piante di tutto il mondo, Ghedina e Tassotti Editori, 1995, p. 299.

[7] Aromathérapie, p. 32.

[8] Maria Treben, La Santé à la Pharmacie du Bon Dieu, Ennsthaler, Steyr, 2004.

[9] Aromathérapie, p. 33.

[10] Philippe Mailhebiau, La Nouvelle Aromathérapie, caractérologie des essences et tempéraments humains, 2^e édit. Jakin, 1994, p. 18.