May 29, (The Daily News/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- ALBERT Makombe, a Gweru-based herbalist has made a breakthrough with a herbal cure for toothache that he discovered by accident.

Makombe, 72, said: "I discovered an anti-toothache medicinal herb 39 years ago when I was in Silobela. I have consulted the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, the University of Zimbabwe's Medicine Department, the Blair Research Institute, the Drugs Control council and the Office of the President and Cabinet since 1985, but up to now nothing tangible has been done."

In Harare recently, Professor Mazuru Gundidza of the University of Zimbabwe, confirmed Makombe's amazing discovery and said Zimbabwe could be on the verge of finding a possible lasting treatment for toothache.

Professor Gundidza commended Makombe's work.

Dr David Parirenyatwa, the acting Minister of Health and Child Welfare, praised Makombe for coming up with an effective herbal treatment of toothache.

He said this type of medicine ought to be authorised and promoted by the government, as it would help the State earn foreign currency if steps were taken to commercialise it.

Makombe is not a member of Zinatha but intends to join the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council when it becomes operational.

He said the government should promote the use of traditional medicine in hospitals and clinics so as to uphold and promote the indigenous knowledge systems, instead of relying only on conventional Western medicines and treatments.

"It's disheartening that our government doesn't promote the use of traditional medicines yet most of these medicines cure far much better than the conventional ones," he said.

The herb, called Alemak, has turned Makombe into an instant celebrity in Gweru.

Makombe claims that from the herbs, which are all available, he made the preparation which not only relieves pain in five minutes, but also provides anyone who uses it with immunity for years.

"The Drugs Control Council in 1996 established that the medicinal plant had no side effects, heals infants and adults, including pregnant women instantly," Makombe said.

Part of the council report reads: "Toothache is one ailment where herbal remedies are available with conventional medicine not offering much in terms of potent and safe analgesic.

"Expectant and nursing mothers are using these conventional medicines because they do not have side effects."

Makombe suffered a severe toothache in 1963 when he was working as a police officer in Silobela. The tooth swelled to the extent that the doctor recommended an operation at Kwekwe Hospital.

"I thought I was never going to get out of it because I had a headache, my face was swollen and my eyes were affected. I was given all sorts of pain killers but they didn't work," Makombe said.

But this, possibly, marked a turning point in the country's scientific and medical development with the discovery of a possible cure for an ailment that has acquired so much notoriety for its resistance to conventional medicine.

"Most people believe, tooth extraction is the remedy, but I want to assure them that there are some long-term solutions for problematic teeth and this is Alemak."

Instead of going for an operation Makombe found two herbs from an anthill. He boiled them and drank the preparation which he claims has a therapeutic effect, in this case analgesia.

"I felt the impact in about five minutes. After this instant healing, I didn't experience any more tooth problems. I didn't go back to the hospital nor did I go for the operation," he said.

The herbalist later used his family and close friends as guinea pigs. He said other notable beneficiaries were more than 30 patients he treated at Parirenyatwa Hospital in 1985 where he was called for trials and clinical tests by Cecilia Kokerai, the then co-ordinator of traditional medicine in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.

Makombe gave a public lecture at the University of Zimbabwe on his remedy in 1990. Several medical practitioners, researchers and UN Representatives attended the lecture.

The medication is only taken once a day for curative purposes. He charges $200 for a

750 ml bottle.

One of Makombe's patients, Michael Sibanda, said ever since he used it in April this year, he has had no tooth problems.

"I recommend the drug to whoever may require it," said Sibanda.

Many people in Gweru have also spoken highly of Makombe's wonder drug. Some even travel from as far as Beitbridge, Chivi and Gokwe for treatment. Some dentists have referred their patients to him.

The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, the Traditional Medicinal Plan and Research and Development Trust, in collaboration with the Blair Research Institute, carried out several successful preliminary laboratory tests on the drug and pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical analyses were conducted on the herbal remedy.

After samples were administered on more than 30 patients with toothache, they all reportedly felt relief after about 10 minutes of medication and none reported any side effects.


From HEalthy.net