Yemen's Health System Collapses, Patients Turn to Herbal Remedies

Jaleelah Abdul Hameed, a woman in her 50s, grew up in a village 85 kilometers from the city of Taiz. Reflecting on the past, she recalls that her ancestors relied on herbal remedies to treat illnesses, but her mother died when she was young due to a lack of proper medical care. She shares: "Herbal medicine was our ancestors' treatment method because modern medicine didn't exist back then. It was the only medicine that everyone, rich or poor, could use."

Recently, Jaleelah began experiencing chest pain. Doctors initially misdiagnosed her with colitis and prescribed medication. A year later, she was hospitalized in critical condition and learned she had liver cancer, not colitis. She recounts: "The doctors misdiagnosed me, so they couldn't prescribe effective treatment for my liver cancer. I took the prescribed medication for four months but saw no improvement."

Due to the complexity of treating cancer in Yemen, she was advised to seek treatment abroad. Unable to afford it and encouraged by local health shops, Jaleelah turned to herbal remedies. The owner of a herbal medicine center prescribed her a mixture of ground leaves and honey with unclear ingredients. She says: "Success stories made me believe in herbal medicine, and I used it for six months. But the reality is that my health severely deteriorated."

Two months ago, Jaleelah was hospitalized again. Doctors were alarmed to learn she had abandoned her prescribed medication and chemotherapy for herbal remedies. She admits: "It was my mistake from the start. I knew well that herbal medicine couldn't cure a disease like mine, but I chose wrong. Today, I've returned to treatment with medication and chemotherapy, but the condition is much worse."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 20 million Yemenis lack access to basic health services due to prolonged conflict, severe budget shortfalls, and the collapse of the healthcare system. At least 50% of health facilities have completely ceased operations, making the country vulnerable to cholera and diphtheria outbreaks. People who cannot afford treatment abroad are forced to turn to traditional remedies.

Herbal medicine – salvation or risk?

Raqeeb Sultan, 48, suffered severe stomach pain after eating greasy food. Multiple doctors diagnosed him with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. After taking medication for eight months without relief, he followed friends' advice and tried herbal remedies. He recounts: "I went to a honey shop that sold herbs. The seller gave me leaves mixed with honey and advised me to avoid fatty foods. I used it for two months and felt much better; my latest test showed no Hp bacteria."

However, health experts dismiss the possibility that herbal remedies can completely cure conditions like Hp. Dr. Adel, an internal medicine specialist, says Hp symptoms often come and go, and test results can fluctuate; only qualified doctors can prescribe treatment to eradicate the bacteria at its root. He adds: "We're in the 21st century, and it's tragic to see people abandon hospitals for untrained herbal sellers. They rely on rumors and unverified methods, exploiting temporary relief to promote their services."

Herbal medicine shops have sprung up across Yemen, with many honey shops treating it as a lucrative business. They claim to cure everything from headaches to cancer, even advertising on social media with celebrity endorsements. Some practice based on religious beliefs, citing Quranic verses about honey or Hadith of the Prophet Mohammed.

Ali, a herbal practitioner in Taiz (who asked to remain anonymous), says he learned the trade from experts in Hodeidah province before practicing in Taiz. He asserts: "Herbal medicine is a science. We don't just inherit it; we also learn from those with deep experience. Recently, many patients have come because they see real results." Ali also admits he has no official license and operates without oversight from health authorities, claiming that selling natural herbs doesn't require a permit.

According to a source at the Taiz Health Department, complaints about herbal shops are referred to judicial authorities like the prosecutor's office rather than the health department because they are not official medical facilities. Some shops offering Quran recitation or amulets have been shut down.

Jaleelah, still battling cancer, calls for stricter oversight of herbal centers because they directly affect patients' health. She says: "The health department should monitor these centers and honey shops because they're treating people. If they deceive, authorities must shut them down. We shouldn't be harmed twice – once by lack of proper medical care, and again by being deceived by herbal medicine centers."