As the world witnesses an exponential growth in lifestyle diseases, more and more people are now taking to herbal products and natural spices to stay healthy.

Today, non-communicable diseases account for 39 per cent of all deaths in Kenya and account for more than 50 per cent of all hospital admissions, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health document; Protocols for Management of Selected Non-communicable Diseases at Primary Care Setting.

In several stalls we visited in Nyeri town, we found shelves stocked with assortment of herbal products ranging from dried roots, spices and dried leaves, each serving a different set of clients.

A number of people we spoke to said this was never the case decades ago but now times have changed with the increase of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and debilitating muscular problems.

Today anything that can keep these health scares at bay is embraced like life.

Alex Maina an ICT technician says he has been using herbal supplements and spices for as long as he can remember and has never regretted it since.

Maina says apart from their medicinal value, such additives have also boosts appetite and are better off compared to artificial spices which are associated with undesirable side effects.

For him a meal or a drink can never be complete without a spoonful of ground hibiscus or cardamom being added.

“I normally use tea masala, hibiscus, cloves and cardamom, on a mixture of two to three spices which depends on what I want to take. People should try out these spices. They have no harm to our bodies because they are natural and have no caffeine. I can attest that they make meals and beverages tasty and enjoyable and the price is quite affordable,” explains Maina.

Rebbeca Wanjiku, a cereals trader said people have turned to natural remedies, which they believe have health benefits to their bodies.

“Some people nowadays prefer buying natural remedies, which they believe serves the same purpose as hospital medication. For example, the most popular product here is the Green Pumpkin seeds often sought by men who believe it can boost their reproductive health,” says Rebecca Wanjiku, a cereals vendor.

For chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and arthritis people seek complementary therapies, when conventional treatments become or too dear or fail to work altogether.

These remedies are more affordable and easily accessible.

Mary Nyambura, a spices and herbal products seller, says people visit her market stall in search of  remedies for health issues like detox.

“If someone wants to do a detox, we often mix dandelion roots, burdock root, hibiscus, ginger, cinnamon, milk thistle and turmeric and advise him to go and brew the content before drinking it.

This kind of concoction is not only efficient and effective but also more affordable compared to conventional remedies for detoxification.” claims Nyambura.

She explains that these remedies are more affordable and easily accessible since they offer a cheaper and locally available alternative compared to medical detoxification formulae

On the other hand, fresh produce traders reveal that people are now embracing the culture of eating fruits owing to the associated health benefits.

For instance, hitherto fruits such as dragon fruits and pepinos have now become a common sight in the open market within Nyeri and its environs due to their rich in antioxidants reputed to be a lifeguard against many lifestyle diseases including cancer.

On the other hand, pepino, which has high water content makes it an ideal succulent refreshing fruit, especially on a hot day.

“Pepino is a juicy fruit that customers can eat when they want something refreshing to quench their thirst while some also claim that it helps relieve headaches,” Margret Nderitu a fruit vendor at Whispers Park says.

Thorn melon, known for its refreshing taste and water content which helps maintain hydration, provides vitamins and minerals and also contains antioxidants which help protect cells from damage.

Lilian Njuguna, a fruit seller at Nyeri middle market told KNA beetroot is also an ideal tuber in the human health as it greatly boosts circulation of blood in the body as it contains fiber, phosphate and naturally occurring nitrates which help blood vessels relax and widen.

Research suggests that beetroot juice may modestly lower blood pressure in some people.

Njuguna says apart from selling thorn melons and beetroots, she advises her clients on how the fruits and tubers should be prepared and taken.

“A thorn melon attracts customers because of its unusual appearance and refreshing green flesh. Some people have never tasted it before, therefore I demonstrate to them how they can prepare it and eat it with a spoon. It is another way of adding variety to the fruits we eat,” Njuguna said.

On the other hand, beetroot is mostly bought by customers who love making fresh juice or adding it to their meals.

Nowadays people also love it because it boosts blood flow in the body and fights inflammation and oxidation.

By Samuel Maina and Silvia Mwangi