SUMMARY

Research on traditional medicine in
Rwanda began in 1972 and was formalized
in 1982 with the creation of the Centre
Pharmacopée, which has since been renamed
the Centre for Research in Phytomedicines
and Life Sciences. The overall aim of the
project is to exploit local plant species and
traditional botanical knowledge. The main
objectives are to:
• promote Rwandan traditional
medicine;
• investigate the botany and agronomy
of the flora traditionally used
in Rwandan herbal medicine;
• research the efficacy of medicinal
plants used to treat both infectious
and non-infectious diseases;
• study Rwanda’s aromatic plants
and, it is hoped, exploit their
essential oils;
• develop techniques for producing
medicines, pesticides and other
products from local plants for
commercial sale; and
• develop a national pharmacopoeia
for Rwanda.
Since the start of the project, ten
medicines and several herbal teas have
been made available on the local market
and a technology for extracting essential
oils has been developed. In the wider
community, the project has helped to
improve the way of life of the local population
by providing low-cost medicinal
products and a market for the cultivation
of medicinal and aromatic plants.