Health Experts Caution Public on Risks of Using Elephant Dung Remedies

The use of elephant dung as a natural remedy has sparked debate, with health experts highlighting its potential dangers. Despite cultural traditions, concerns over safety persist.

For generations, some communities have relied on elephant dung to address various health issues. Anecdotes abound, particularly its purported effectiveness in aiding childbirth and addressing nosebleeds.

Maria Ncube from Bulawayo shared her experience, stating it worked for her during childbirth. She emphasized how deeply rooted such practices are within local traditions, passed down for generations.

Dr. Tsitsi Makanyanga, a veterinary expert, urged caution, noting that elephant dung may harbor harmful microorganisms. The presence of zoonotic pathogens like salmonella poses serious health risks to humans.

Speaking at a recent session on animal health and HIV, Dr. Makanyanga explained the biological basis behind such remedies. She suggested that the oxytocin in dung might trigger uterine contractions but emphasized the lack of control over its dosage.

Overdosing on natural oxytocin from elephant dung could cause abnormal contractions, potentially harming both mother and child. She warned that these risks are often overlooked due to the informal nature of traditional remedies.

The connection between animal and human health, especially concerning zoonotic diseases, is significant. According to the World Health Organization, 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, with a substantial impact on global health.

Recent zoonotic outbreaks, such as COVID-19, highlight the danger of diseases crossing from animals to humans. Such diseases have caused over a billion illnesses and millions of deaths annually worldwide.

Dr. Makanyanga highlighted poor collaboration between public health, veterinary, and wildlife sectors as a barrier to controlling zoonotic diseases effectively. This gap exacerbates risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like those living with HIV.

The burden of zoonotic diseases remains significant, with insufficient data on their prevalence and trends. Diseases like rabies, salmonellosis, and Lyme disease remain common examples of infections transmitted from animals to humans.

While some turn to traditional remedies in the absence of formal medical interventions, experts stress the importance of balancing cultural practices with evidence-based health advice to avoid preventable health crises.

Supporting local health education and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration can help mitigate these risks while respecting cultural heritage.