Our journey took us deep into the heart of Lagos, to the Oyingbo herb market—a place that felt like a treasure chest of Nigeria’s traditional healing secrets. As we wandered through the vibrant stalls, surrounded by baskets overflowing with herbs, roots, and plants, we realized just how much of this ancient wisdom had remained hidden from us. In Nigeria, we truly are blessed with an incredible variety of herbs that can treat almost anything you can imagine.
The herbalists we spoke to were like living encyclopedias. Their knowledge of treating various ailments was astonishing, passed down through generations. It was exhilarating to sit with them, one-on-one, and soak in their wisdom. But as inspiring as this experience was, it also shone a light on the challenges facing herbalism in Nigeria.
The road to the herbalists was, quite literally, rough. We navigated narrow, uneven paths that cut through tight corners where cell reception was a distant dream. Accessibility is already a challenge, and for these healers to thrive in a modern world, the hurdles they face are immense. Many herbalists don’t have reliable access to the internet, making it difficult for them to reach new customers or even manage their existing clientele.
Communication proved to be another hurdle. The older herbalists, steeped in the deepest wells of tradition, often spoke in Yoruba, which we didn’t understand. Thankfully, we had Mr. Kelechi, our incredible translator, who bridged the gap. The younger herbalists were more fluent in English, but we were determined to learn from the OGs—the elders whose wisdom is priceless, yet sometimes trapped behind language barriers.
At our third stop, we met a young herbalist and inquired about herbs to help increase fertility in women. She confidently pulled out ten unfamiliar roots and a herb she called Heliotropium Indicum, known locally as Agogo Ewe. She instructed Anastasia to boil them all together and drink daily. When we asked for the names of the roots, she hesitated but promised to send them over on WhatsApp—yet we never received the message. It highlighted another gap: the need for proper documentation and prescriptions tailored to individual needs, based on their medical history.
We took it upon ourselves to research the herbs we encountered, and what we discovered left us in awe. Nigeria’s natural bounty is truly something to behold.
One of the herbs we learned about was Cassytha Filiformis, or Omonigelegele in Yoruba. When we asked about its use, our herbalist smiled and revealed that it’s often used in money spells. She described a ritual of burning it in a clay pot, mixing the ashes with a specific brand of milk, and consuming the mixture to attract wealth. Who wouldn’t want some of that magic? But beyond the folklore, our research showed that Cassytha Filiformis is also used to treat syphilis, lung disease, kidney issues, and even to induce labor during childbirth.
Another discovery was Heliotropium Indicum, which is used to treat scorpion and snake bites, and as an antidote for poison and skin infections. However, through our research, we found that this herb should not be consumed for long periods, as it can become toxic over time.
Then there was Uncaria Tomentosa, or Eekanna Ekun in Yoruba, a powerful herb used to fight cancer, arthritis, lupus, allergies, prostate issues, acne, and even depression.
This trip taught us more than we ever expected. The wealth of herbal knowledge in Nigeria is vast and inspiring, but there is also a long road ahead to standardize these practices for the modern world. Thankfully, organizations like the NNMDA are working towards that goal. As for us, we left the market filled with excitement for the future of Nigerian herbalism. There’s so much more to discover, and we’re just getting started.