Binga herbalist a ZITF sensation

A BINGA herbalist became a sensation at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which ended yesterday with hordes of people, particularly men, flocking to his stand to purchase herbs to boost their libido.

With the ZITF ideally viewed as a platform for business ventures, which facilitates corporate and none corporate deals, little known Amson Siambwede who was exhibiting for the first time said he did not know that his herbal boutique would draw so much attention and give him volumes of business.

Binga is generally believed to be home to powerful herbs that can cure almost every ailment.

Siambwede, a registered herbalist, said he had managed to set up a company in Bulawayo, as he sought to develop his campaign to promote the use of herbs instead of modern medicine.

The company - Binga Reply International - operates both in Binga and Bulawayo.

"I ventured into herbal remedies and treatment in 2009. I have treated people of various chronic and acute diseases and illnesses successfully. I also practice HIV management, using traditional herbs, which I acquire from the Zambezi Valley, and from other herbalists in and around the country," he said.

He said since he ventured into the business, he had received plenty of visits from men seeking to boost their libido.

"Lots of men come to get herbs to try and boost their libido. Women too have come in their numbers, most of them not from their own desire but for their partners," he said.

In relation to his endevour to promote the use of traditional herbs instead of modern medicine, he said herbs do not have many side effects compared to modern medicine.

"Most herbs contain alkaline that help the body's immune system to remove waste from the blood system faster and safer than medicine. Herbs are also less expensive than medicine and are easy to obtain," he said.

Siambwede noted that he had, since becoming a herbalist, managed to cure prostate cancer, diabetes, ulcers, low and high blood pressure and also provided sages to boost sexual libido in both men and women as well as cure infertility problems.

"When it comes to HIV, I will not say that I can cure it but I can manage it to levels that render it untraceable. I am, however, still working on curing it," he said.

Siambwede noted that being a Binga native didn't warrantee him to be a traditional doctor as many may be misled into believing.

"I am not a traditional doctor, I don't use bones, neither do I have trinkets or charms for witchcraft or spiritual purposes. I am just a herbalist. Binga is a remote place and has maintained a strong cultural background, which has brought people to think we have powerful herbs and charms. Binga was so remote that people that lived there had no access to modern medicine, clinics and hospitals and they sought to cure themselves with herbs. They thus developed and bettered their knowledge of herbs," he said.