For thousands of years, people have relied on traditional medicine to heal and stay healthy. Ancient knowledge in traditional medicine and herbal remedies has shaped how people care for their bodies and minds. Some of today’s most important medicines – like aspirin (for pain and inflammation) and artemisinin (for treating malaria) – have their roots in traditional healing practices.

Currently, the role and importance of traditional medicine is entering a new era, blending age-old wisdom with cutting-edge science to offer more personalised and holistic health care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 90% of people in most developing countries report using some form of traditional medicine in health care. In this regard, the WHO has called for more research evidence and clear guidelines of usage to enhance the safe, effective use and increased accessibility for all. To this end, the WHO launched the Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in 2022, with support from the government of India to meet this global need. The WHO GTMC is focused on supporting scientific research into traditional medicine, encouraging knowledge-sharing across cultures, protecting biodiversity, and building global partnerships that connect ancient practices with modern health solutions. By bringing together tradition and innovation, the GTMC is helping to unlock the full potential of traditional medicine – for the health of people and the planet. The vision of the WHO’s new Traditional Medicines Strategy 2025–2034 is for a world in which there is universal access to safe, effective and people-centred traditional Complementary and Integrative medicine for the health and well-being of all. The goal of the new strategy is to advance the contribution of evidence-based traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine to the highest attainable standard of health and well-being. It has four strategic objectives, namely strengthening the evidence base for traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine, supporting the provision of safe, effective traditional medicines through appropriate regulatory mechanisms, integrating safe and effective traditional medicines into health systems and optimising the cross-sector value of traditional medicines, and empowering communities.

Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa is a Professor of Pharmacology and a global expert in African Traditional Medicine and Head of the African Medicines Innovations and Technology Development Platform (AMITD) at the University of the Free State. His research not only aligns with the goals and purpose of the WHO and the WHO GTMC, but also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Good Health and Well-being by providing accessible, affordable, and culturally appropriate health care, especially in rural areas. This research focuses on the discovery and development of new drugs and medicines based on traditional and herbal African medicines. It entails looking at the safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicines for select but important priority diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, malaria and Alzheimer’s. AMITD, an institutional and national research platform, also undertakes the product and policy development, training and teaching on pharmacology and indigenous knowledge-based medicines. The ultimate aim is to pursue both knowledge and societal impact.

AMITD has advanced the scientific development and commercialisation of indigenous knowledge by transforming traditional plants such as Croton gratissimus, Myrothamnus flabellifolius, Lippia scaberrima, Lippia javanica, Buddleja saligna, and Phyla dulcis into branded indigenous infusion teas and iced teas. Through the establishment of modern post-harvest and tea-processing facilities in the rural communities of Krwakrwa, Ntshatshongo, Mokgola and Lekubu, AMITD has transferred technical skills, established organised local cooperatives, and helped register community-owned businesses into SMMEs. This initiative has generated 40 direct jobs and more than 100 sustainable community-based employment opportunities, and numerous indirect jobs through partner projects. The commercialisation of AMITD’s teas is now contributing to the formal economy, demonstrating how indigenous medicinal plants can drive innovation, enterprise, and inclusive growth.

Prof Matsabisa’s research on PHELA, an herbal product made from four medicinal plants, set the benchmark in methodology and in policy development on traditional medicines, using randomised, multicentre controlled clinical trials. The AMITD platform, together with FARMOVS, conducted the first South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)-approved multicentre controlled clinical trial of a plant-based product on mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. The main purpose of the study titled, A multi-centre, open label, randomised, parallel group, controlled study to provide reliable evidence on the efficacy of the African traditional medicines, PHELA, in combination with SOC, as a candidate therapy for mild to moderate COVID-19 in non-hospitalised patients was to confirm the product as a treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19.

Traditionally PHELA had been used for a disease called Muyaga, but was recently scientifically tested and found effective as an immune modulator, thus benefiting persons with a compromised immune system. The study found that PHELA in vitro inhibited the growth of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infection and MERS-CoV with the implication for further development for the infection-control of these viruses. PHELA could potentially be developed as a standalone or adjunctive therapy for COVID-19 with the standard of care.

The second study titled, A multi-centre, Double-Blind, Randomised, Parallel Group, Controlled Study to Provide Reliable Evidence of the Efficacy of the African Traditional Herbal Medicine, PHELA, as an Adjunct Therapy in Adult Patients with Long term Effects of COVID-19 who Develop First-episode non drug Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis was to conclude that PHELA could have positive effects on post-COVID-19 patients presenting with tuberculosis (TB). PHELA has been formulated as easy-to-use hard gelatine capsule and it has now been formulated as an ionic gelation throat spray for those patients that may have difficulty swallowing.

The AMITD’s research on local high-THC cannabis landraces has significantly influenced the medical cannabis sector in South Africa and the region, and has shaped government perspectives on cannabis research, its decriminalisation, and associated policy development. The platform’s studies contributed to setting approved THC levels in complementary medicines and helped shift community perceptions of cannabis – from a narcotic to a valuable medicinal plant. The team also developed a chitosan hydrogel for slow-release anti-inflammatory treatment, further showcasing the therapeutic potential of cannabis. Research published globally on medicinal cannabis shows that the local landraces of cannabis have potency on a number of diseases that include cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s and appeared better-acting than other global varieties.

AMITD leads several international research collaborations with counterparts from Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, China, Germany, India, Lesotho, Chile and Brazil, all focused on high-impact innovation. AMITD research has a global perspective and impact. The discovery of novel non-symmetrical sesquiterpene molecules with antiprotozoal effects from the traditional medicinal plant, Dicoma anomala, has placed our work for impact regionally on research in malaria. The molecules have received global, regional and national patents granted in the following countries: South Africa Patent No 2007/004160; China Patent No 935480 ZL200580043591; USA, Patent No S 8,586,112 B2; Nigeria Application No NG/C/2007/04160; Tunisia Application No 19881; Madagascar Application No PCT/IB2005/003265; ARIPO Application No AP2256; and a PCT/IB2005/003268; and applications in Brazilian Patent Application No P105170752; Egyptian Application No PCT 454/2007; Indian Application No F21187 and OAPI Application No F21179. South Africa is not a malaria endemic country but AMITD contributes to the regional disease burden.

With regards to policy and regulatory contributions, nationally, AMITD heads a multidisciplinary team of lawyers, medical doctors, pharmacists, researchers, and traditional health practitioners under DSTI and SAHPRA. This group is developing a regulatory framework for traditional medicines, contributing to the drafting of a new Health Products Bill to replace the outdated Medicines Act (Act 101 of 1961). Through this work, AMITD continues to shape national policy by recommending the separate regulation of African traditional medicines and proposing the creation of a new Category E for such products as a transitional measure. The AMITD has also partnered with the African Union Commission, the WHO Africa Region and recently hosted the G20 Research Innovations Working Group (RIWG) and the G20 Bioeconomy Group.

International contributions of AMITD are around working with the WHO in strategy and technical assistance for traditional Complementary and Integrative guidance. AMITD’s impact is also global. It is undertaking a global project for the WHO in all its six regions working in a total of 194 countries to develop an Intellectual Property Framework for Protection, Regulation, and Innovation of Traditional Medicine that would safeguard Knowledge, Rights, and Commercialisation Pathways in an inclusive manner with communities.

AMITD has established strong collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry through several research agreements and projects. Notably, AMITD partnered with Tiger Brands to reformulate Peppermint Gripe Water and improve the stability of Umuthi Wenyoni, successfully reintroducing both products to the market. The platform is also working with Tiger Brands on its Peaceful Sleep product range. In addition, AMITD is collaborating with AfriPharm and SHEQ Consulting to achieve SAHPRA and South African National Accreditation System accreditation, respectively, for its laboratories.

The teaching and training programmes developed by AMITD in the pharmacology of medicinal plants grew from humble beginnings with just three staff members and four honours students, to a team of 25 staff, 20 postgraduate students, and 20 postdoctoral fellows. Its graduates are now among the most sought-after professionals, widely employed across government and the private sector.