While some locals don’t believe in natural medicine and prefer to go to a doctor or pharmacy, at least one local physician is a fan. “This kind of medicine dates back to ancient times,” says Maher al-Awsi, a doctor who usually prescribes pharmacy-only medication. “The government should really pay more attention to this kind of medicine. It needs further testing.”
Al-Awsi thinks that, given the local knowledge, it would be a good idea to introduce a specialized course in herbal medicine at Iraqi universities.
Meanwhile a local historian has another reason for being enthusiastic about Abu Al Hawa market. “The fact that this market is always so busy indicates that Iraqis want to preserve their history and cultural identity,” says Wasit historian, Saeed Ghanem. “They are able to value the traditional and the popular with a modern spirit,” he enthuses.
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