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The Herald, December 8, 1992
A ZVISHAVANE traditional healer died on Sunday after drinking a concoction he had prepared in a bid to demonstrate to a patient that the “muti” was not harmful.
Police in Zvishavane confirmed the incident, but declined to give the names of the n’anga and the patient whom they said was in a satisfactory condition.
A police spokesman said both the late 63-year-old and his nephew, aged 48, were suffering from abdominal pains.
On Sunday, the older man collected his nephew from his house after promising that he could concort a herbal potion to cure their ailments.
The two men then went to the bush where the older man collected some herbs and prepared a concoction which he administered to himself and his nephew through the rectum.
The old man then drank some of the “muti”. He collapsed and died soon after drinking the mixture, police said.
His body is at Zvishavane General Hospital mortuary. His nephew, who survived, is receiving treatment at the hospital.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- It is risky to drink or ingest concoctions that have not been tested or proven to be effective.
- Herbs can be very useful in terms of curing various ailments but they can also be very dangerous if misused.
- It is always useful to get proper diagnosis when suffering from an ailment so that the right treatment can be subscribed.
- With the high cost of treatment of various ailments, many people are turning to herbal remedies which they believe to be cheaper and more effective.
Online Reporter