The founder of Daarus-Salam Herbal Medicine Centre, Alhaji Olawale Robiu Ajani, has reaffirmed his commitment to the development and preservation of African traditional medicine, describing it as a divine gift that must be explored with knowledge and respect rather than superstition.
Speaking on Lero Temi, a popular podcast aired on OsunReporters online TV, Alhaji Robiu explained that Daarus-Salam meaning “Ibudo Alaafia” (Camp of Peace), has been in operation for over forty years, serving communities with herbal remedies rooted in both tradition and modern understanding.
Addressing popular misconceptions surrounding herbal practice, he dismissed the notion that gathering medicinal leaves involves enchantment or spiritual invocation.
“It’s out of context to worship what God created that has no spirit,” he said. “People’s beliefs differ, but we must understand that herbs are God’s creation meant for healing, not worship.”
Alhaji Robiu emphasized that herbal medicine offers vast opportunities that every nation could benefit from if properly developed and studied.
“The money being taken abroad to get medicines could be invested here,” he said. “We have people in the diaspora collaborating with us on research. The whites are not sleeping, they are constantly researching. Their sicknesses are even more complex than ours, so we must wilden our scope and encourage people to embrace what we have.”
He also explained the importance of understanding dosage and individual reactions to herbs, warning that treatments differ from one person to another.
“If a sickler is brought, we first examine the nature of his sickness,” he noted. “The medicine used to cure one person might worsen another’s condition if care is not taken.”
Clarifying misconceptions about the use of syringes in herbal practice, he added.
“A syringe only pushes medicine into the body, it is not the medicine itself. We also have herbal preparations that can be administered through similar means.”
With over four decades of service, Daarus-Salam continues to uphold the vision of integrating indigenous medical knowledge with scientific discipline, ensuring that future generations inherit not just the herbs, but the wisdom behind them.
