Herbal Medicine Lessons from a Traditional Herbalist

Mohammed Said, a traditional herbalist of the fifth generation at Zanzibar, is considered "the" No. 1 traditional healer on the whole island of Zanzibar. He is even well-known in the Arab countries due to his extraordinary knowledge. At his 20-bed clinic, he regularly receives foreign patients from countries such as Oman. One of his sons, who studied medicine at university, assists him and gives lots of new impulses for further development.

Mohammed cultivates his plants and herbs in his garden at Bububu. His entire family (which consists of four wives and 38 children) assists in further processes such as drying the herbs and packaging the mixtures.

Mohammed offers courses for everybody interested in Zanzibarian herbal medicine. These comprise lessons about the usage, cultivation, and harvesting of herbs and spices, their effects, how to dry them hygienically, further processes with dried herbs and spices, quality control, packaging and storing of herbs and spices, and how to produce herbal mixtures for medical and nutrition purposes.

You can also assist and observe Mohammed with the treatment of patients. Mohammed has a good command of the English language.