Tanzania’s health authorities have banned the use of a popular traditional herbal treatment branded Hensha that was sold on the basis that it helped improve male sexual performance.
The Traditional and Alternative Health Practice Council chairman, Prof Hamisi Malebo, said the decision to ban it followed recent investigations.
He said laboratory tests on the herbal compound showed it had elements of the drug sildenafil, which is better known as Viagra. He said that Hensha was unsafe and its producer did not abide by council’s regulations.
The herbal powder is usually made from a blend of leaves, roots and bark of a Mkongo tree, found in East Africa.
It is sold by other producers under different brand names.
The producers of Hensha have been asked to immediately withdraw it from the market.
Prof Malepo said promotion of traditional medicines, herbs or alternative drugs without “having the registration and certification of the council is an offence”.
Tanzania encourages the use of traditional medicine and in 2020 approved the sale and use of five traditional treatments in the market to boost sexual performance.
