Period pains led investment banker Harriet Chebet to produce herbal products after she returned to Kenya. Now, the herbs have become big business in Kenya
“Every month for one week, I was in a lot of pain., throwing up, constipation, and on strong painkillers,” Chebet said of her life before she discovered a herbal remedy.
The remedies, which Chebet promotes as herbal solutions to health issues ranging from endometriosis to joint pain, are delivered daily to women across Kenya. As to their effectiveness, Chebet should know – she started the business after herbal remedies rescued her from a lifetime of pain.
How it Began
At the age of 16, Chebet was already battling endometriosis, a painful condition where the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. With each menstrual cycle, the tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds. When Chebet left Kenya for the United Kingdom (UK) to study and work as an investment banker, the condition persisted. For years, she lived with the challenges of a demanding corporate job and chronic pain.
Even when she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, there was no remedy and no end to the pain. She sought alternative medicines but could not find a solution for her debilitating pain.
Chebet returned to Kenya in 2017, the same year she lost her father. During his funeral, she met a woman who, after witnessing her struggle with menstrual pain, introduced her to herbal remedies long used by women of her ethnic group.
“I took it back home and boiled the herbs and for the first time in over two decades I experienced a painless period,” Chebet shared. Inspired by the result, Chebet shared the experience with a friend struggling with similar challenges.
“The friend I shared with was about to get a hysterectomy and she had been bleeding for around 3 weeks. I advised her to try the product first for pain before getting the procedure. When she took it, she stopped bleeding and shared her experience to a WhatsApp group and that’s how the business, Harriet Botanicals, started,” Chebet said.
Birth of Harriet Botanicals and Expansion
A year later, Chebet established Harriet Botanicals as an official institution by obtaining certification from the Culture Ministry, which governs businesses and products of this nature. She then took the crucial step of subjecting her products to safety testing at the University of Nairobi’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. This evaluation confirmed the suitability of her products for mass production.
Chebet sources her herbs from the South Rift Region of Kenya and ingredients include the roots, bark, and leaves from approximately 30 different tree and herb species. These herbs are then transported to her Karen-based ‘headquarters’.
Her facilities include a drying room, a manufacturing plant, and a front office where packaging labelling and distribution take place before products are transported to retailers all over Kenya. Chebet currently employs 20 full-time and more than 50 casual workers.
Harriet Botanicals has a range of 12 products that focus on overall body health for both women and men. The prices vary, ranging from 700 to 2000 Kenyan shillings (about US$5 to US$15), ensuring accessibility to a wide range of customers.
“Harriet Botanicals is a company that retails traditional, indigenous medicine for the urban, African, and diaspora market. These are 100% organic medications with no side effects. It is not processed and there are no preservatives added. Additionally, these herbal products contain bio-active components that are found in pain medication, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial medications,” Chebet explained.
Of all her products, Arorwet is perhaps her most famous. It is advertised as an organic product used to alleviate the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, and urinary tract infections, among other female reproductive disorders. It contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial elements like Phytoestrogens. According to Healthline.com, Phytoestrogens are compounds that naturally occur in plants and which can regulate oestrogen levels in humans.
Customer Reviews and Presence
Gachege Kongo is one of Chebet’s frequent customers. She struggled with menstrual pain that was so bad she couldn’t carry out her day-to-day activities. It wasn’t until she started using Arorwet that her story of pain changed.
“I experienced immediate relief once Harriet introduced me to Arorwet which had also helped her. The pain and heavy bleeding stopped and through the years I have continued to use it and I have continued to feel much better,’’ she said.
Harriet Botanicals has garnered a wide following across social media platforms. On Facebook and Instagram alone, they have a combined 100,000 followers. Posts include hundreds of positive reviews from people, especially women who previously suffered from the impact of reproductive issues, from painful menstrual cramps to infertility issues.
With a monthly customer base of 5,000 to 6,000 individuals, the company has established a strong presence with over 14 outlets nationwide. Their products are distributed through respected Kenyan health stores such as ‘Healthy U’.
Researchers estimate that 80% of the world population uses herbal drugs in primary health care because they are readily available and less expensive.
Overcoming Initial Challenges and Future Plans
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Chebet and Harriet Botanicals. At the beginning of her journey, she encountered a significant hurdle in the form of the societal stigma surrounding traditional medicine. She had to confront accusations of engaging in illegal activities and taking advantage of people, which led to a lack of credibility and not being taken seriously.
However, as time passed and customers started to witness the positive effects of her remedies, Harriet Botanicals gradually gained credibility and began to overcome the challenges posed by preconceived notions.
Now more confident and experienced, Chebet has plans for the company that will keep her busier than would ever have been possible before her life-changing experience with herbal medicine.
“My future plans are to continue formalising my company by taking branding initiatives to another level while working with industry giants. I would also like to rebrand by changing the bottles so that they are high-density pharmaceutical plastic. I am also working on creating a new product for malaria and fever. I would also like to continue expanding our markets abroad,” she shared.
Source: Bird stories
