Integrating Traditional Medicine in the Management of Viral Hepatitis in Nigeria: Epidemiological Insights and Regulatory Perspectives

Viral hepatitis continues to pose a significant public health issue in Nigeria, where the various types of viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E) are endemic. Even with vaccines and antiviral treatments available, the burden of disease remains due to limited healthcare access, socio-economic inequalities, and insufficient public health infrastruc-ture. The high rates of hepatitis B and C, along with the common occurrence of hepatitis A and E, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and culturally appropriate in-tervention strategies. Traditional medicine (TM), particularly the utilization of indigenous medicinal plants, plays an essential role in managing hepatitis in marginalized com-munities. Ethnobotanical studies have discovered numerous plant species with potential antiviral properties. However, incorporating these remedies into mainstream healthcare is challenged by concerns regarding safety, standardization, and regulatory control. This review examines the epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Nigeria, the role of TM in its treatment, and the developing regulatory framework overseeing herbal remedies. It stresses the necessity of clinical validation, standardized protocols, and better training for practitioners to ensure the safe and effective incorporation of TM into national hepatitis control efforts.