Cuba promotes the combination of traditional medicine and science at UNESCO

Havana, June 4^th. - The local development project Flora: Botica de la Abuela, which combines traditional medicine and scientific advancement, stands out among Cuba's proposals for Latin America and Caribbean Week, which continues today at UNESCO.

Infusions and herbal teas to relieve health problems, popularly called decoctions in several countries in the region, are part of the richness and diversity of Latin American and Caribbean culture on display these days in the central hall of the Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

We present here a project that works on the tradition of the grandmother, who so often helped us at home to overcome ailments, with the support of the scientific knowledge acquired by Cuba and worldwide, Dr. Rodolfo Arencibia, leader of the original project, told Prensa Latina at the island's stand.

According to the expert, the presence of Flora: Grandmother's Pharmacy during the week of June 3-6 aims to contribute to the preservation of traditional medicine and share the initiative's experiences.

Cuba has become the coordinator and promoter of UNESCO chairs on medicinal plants in Latin America and the Caribbean, said the vice-coordinator of the first such chair in the region and the third worldwide.

Regarding the products presented, Arencibia mentioned those made with herbs such as chamomile, mint, basil, and rosemary.

These are plants that have been well-studied in our country from a scientific perspective, guaranteeing safety and efficacy when used, he added.

The vice-coordinator of one of the UNESCO chairs of medicinal plants considered international cooperation in this area to be of great importance, such as that maintained with one of the main promoters of this initiative, Italian doctor Tania Re, present at the Cuban stand. (Text and photo: PL)