Friday, May 06, 2011

Wataalam Wasema Dawa ya Babu Inafanya Kazi Kiasi

Scientists at work on 'Babu' cure

Kutoka: The Guardian Tanzania



A technical report on retired pastor Ambilikile Masapila’s “miracle cure” has indicated that scientific data supports his claims to its positive effects on a number of ailments.

A report by experts from the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Department of Traditional Medicine Research and Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences seen by The Guardian, says study findings have revealed that ‘Babu’s miracle cure’ prepared by boiling the roots of Carissa edulis plant is safe and has positive effects on cancer, epilepsy, herpes simplex virus, liver ailments, diabetes, blood pressure and anti-viral activity.

However, the scientists said since the remedy is being widely used by an exceedingly large number of patients, the government should advance the work of focused pre-clinical studies to establish pre-clinical efficacy and safety of the remedy.

“The dose provided by Pastor Masapila which is one cup (about 200 mls) prepared through boiling an estimated 3.0 kg of whole root material in 60 litres of water “falls within safety window and no any overdose or acute poisoning event is expected.”

The results suggested that the plant has anticonvulsant activity which supports the claim of the use of the plant in the management of epilepsy as claimed by Pastor Ambilikile Masapila.

It further indicated that the herb has antidiabetic activity which supports the claim of the use of the plant in the management of diabetes.

The herbal has blood pressure lowering activity which supports the ethnomedicinal claim of the use of the plant in the management of high blood pressure.

Research results show that the pastor’s concoction has hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity which are beneficial in the prevention of liver disorders and cancer.

“This result also reveals that Carissa edulis has potent anti-viral activity against herpes simplex viruses. Taking into consideration that, herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a major opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed persons, these findings supports the ethnomedicinal claim of the use of the plant in the management of HIV/Aids as claimed by Pastor Masapila,” said the report.

Drawing general conclusion, scientists said that the plant is safe and the dosage prescribed by Rev. Mwasapila is below the toxic level.

They, however, recommended that since the remedy is being widely used by an exceedingly large number of patients, focused pre-clinical studies need to be conducted to establish pre-clinical efficacy and safety of the remedy.

Scientists also recommended standardisation and formulation of “Babu’s cupful” for human use.

“MoHSW should conduct clinical trial on the prescribed remedy to establish in vivo efficacy and safety in humans and answer questions on optimum dosage, dosing schedule and duration of treatment per ailment,” stated part of the report.

It added “MoHSW should conduct clinical follow up on all patients recorded to have used the remedy for their prognosis.”

Recently, many people have been flocking Samunge village in Loliondo, Arusha, seeking the cure for chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, cancer and HIV/Aids.

According to Rev. Masapila, God instructed him through dreams since 1991 about the medication and that, it will heal people with chronic illnesses namely: diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, cancer and HIV/AIDS. The dream kept recurring to him several times since then and on August 26, 2010 he decided to obey on the instructions and started the healing work.

Earlier this month, HIV/Aids stakeholders blamed the government over its silence on HIV/Aids patients who abandon antiretroviral drugs after taking the herbal concoction being dispensed by Pastor Masapila in Loliondo.

HIV/Aids stakeholders said there was need to give correct messages to the people to avoid negative impacts in future.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

No comments: