Nature’s Aphrodisiacs: Indigenous Herbs for Sexual Stimulation and Fertility Enhancement for Consumption by Health Tourists in Zimbabwe

Abstract

In Zimbabwe, health tourism for the sake of gaining access to herbal substances for sexual stimulation and fertility enhancement is both undocumented and shrouded in mystical beliefs. Despite increased global fascination with traditional medicine, not much is known about the nature of the tourist traffic whose main purpose of travel is the consumption of these indigenous herbal substances for sexual stimulation and fertility enhancement. Specifically, this study sought to establish the variety of indigenous herbs for sexual stimulation and fertility enhancement that are available on the herbal market for the consumption of health tourists. Zimbabwe as a case in particular remains a black box. As a result, the commercial potential of indigenous sexual stimulants and fertility enhancement herbs remains uncharted both for health tourism and the health sector in general in Zimbabwe. This study departed from the conjecture that the dynamics of the consumption of traditional herbal substances for sexual stimulation and fertility enhancement by health tourists in Zimbabwe is understudied and untheorized despite the sector being a multi-billion investment in the global market. Premised on phenomenological approaches, in-depth interviews with herbalists and health tourists were purposively sampled. Mashonaland West province was used as the case study. Data was analyzed and presented thematically. The study adopted The Health Belief Model as the overarching theory to understand the phenomenon under study fully. Findings indicated that a variety of herbs are available on the herbal market for consumption by health tourists. However, the sector remains without a regulating framework and is highly underdeveloped. As a result, the industry remains trivialized, overlooked, and underestimated, and its contribution to the overall economy continues to be insignificant. However, the products available are priced at a shelf life afforded by almost everybody, hence explaining the wide use of this sector’s products. Of concern, the industry was found to be dominated by herbalists who are less versed in the practice posing cytotoxic consequences. There is a need to scientifically assess traditional herbal medicines for sexual stimulation and fertility enhancement to test myths associated with consumption.