Her Voice Within

Chapter 9

ILHAAM

Abuja, Nigeria

     Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures, involving the use of plants to treat diseases and enhance general health and well-being. However, it's crucial to remember not to self-diagnose any health condition with any medication, whether herbal or otherwise.
Despite this knowledge, my mother and grandmother strongly believed in "maganin gargajiya" (herbal medicine), and unfortunately for me, I am asthmatic.

     My mother and grandmother were on a mission to cure my asthma with local herbs. Every time Addah Mama visited, she brought a new medication for me, or sometimes she sent them from Yola to Abuja.

     The last batch from Yola had not even finished, yet here she was with another one, prescribing the medicine as if she were a doctor. I hesitated, "But Adda, the one you sent last time has not finished," a bit annoyed because I had been drinking these concoctions for as long as I could remember without any improvement.

     "And so you should continue drinking everything," Mamma replied, dismissing my concerns.

     I decided to point out the potential dangers: "All these things may interact harmfully with the over-the-counter medicines I am taking. They may increase or decrease the effectiveness of the drugs."

     "Tohm, teach us English. Don't waste your time here with your medical perspectives; you must drink this," Mamma replied.

     "But it's advised that if you're considering taking herbal medicine, you should talk to your doctor about possible side effects and interactions with other medicines," I insisted.

     "Chubu, what's your problem? Don't you want to get better?" Addah Mama asked.

     "No, all I'm saying is Abba should call my doctor and ask him," I replied.

     Mamma interjected, "Ilhaam tomi mari ma ba (if I slap you)," and I quickly stood up, avoiding her potential wrath, while Jasra and Muktar laughed at my predicament.

     "Let me tell you whether you like it or not, you are going to drink this and recover," Mamma added.

     "But, Mamma, asthma is not a curable disease; it can only be managed with medicine prescribed by a knowledgeable and qualified practitioner," I explained.

     "You are still talking, let me come meet you there," Mamma threatened as I moved behind Addah Mama's back.

     "Da kin saya ai (you should have waited)," she said before taking a seat.
    
      "Haba, Chubu (namesake), I know you also want to get better, so go wash it, and boil it. Jasra, go help her," Addah Mama instructed, handing me and Jasra the herbs. I could tell she did it to prevent Mamma from unleashing her fiery wrath on me. We collected the herbs and headed to the kitchen.

     "Hajiya Zainab, the herbalist," Jasra chuckled, addressing me by my real name.
  
      "Wallahi, Jasra, leave me alone. I don't see what's so funny that you're laughing," I said, a bit frustrated.

     "Sorry, nah. But it can't be that bad," she remarked.

     "How can you say it's not that bad? I don't blame you because you haven't been drinking this concoction your whole life," I replied before walking past her.

     "Sorry, ooo," I heard her mumble, but I chose to ignore it. We washed the herbal ingredients, which included broken pieces of wood, dried leaves, and some mysterious items I couldn't identify. Afterward, I placed them in a pot filled with water on the gas.