CAIRO: In an economic crisis that has led to a shortage of medicines, Egyptians are skipping trips to drug stores and instead turning to herbal remedies to treat every-day illnesses.
In the Cairo working class neighborhood of Basateen, dozens can be seen lining up outside a decades-old herbal spice shop with pyramid-shaped stacks of jars on display, filled with everything from honey and ginger to camel’s hay.
Apothecaries say there is a roughly 70-80 percent increase in sales after a series of harsh economic reforms hit medicine supply in pharmacies across the country and increased the cost of some generic and even life-saving drugs.
Store owner Samy Al-Attar — whose last name is Arabic for apothecary — says a knowledgeable apothecary can find substitutes for drugs treating almost all non-terminal illnesses.
Just like pharmacies, the walls inside Al-Attar’s store are lined with drawers and containers. But rather than pharmaceutical drugs, they hold herbs, each said to have its own unique healing property.
Customers impatiently crowd outside the shop window, where employees can be seen dashing around the tiny interior, choosing from a variety of textures and colors, filling clear plastic bags with orders.
Al-Attar’s role is like many pharmacists. Customers explain their symptoms and he produces a concoction of spices and herbs along with a method of administration.
Egypt’s health ministry is in the middle of negotiations with pharmaceutical companies over a 15 percent increase in prices of locally-produced drugs, and a 20 percent increase in the prices of imported ones.
Local spices and herbs, meanwhile, cost between 5 and 10 Egyptian pounds ($0.27-0.54) per kilogram.
As drug supplies run short, Egyptians turn to herbal remedies
As drug supplies run short, Egyptians turn to herbal remedies
Where We Are Going Today: Yu by Toki Restaurant in Riyadh
- One order comes with two rolls on a plate, perfect for those looking to share one of the best dishes on the menu
Bringing its flavors from Toki in Jeddah, Yu by Toki is in Riyadh at Mamlaka Social Dining, tucked into a back corner, where the Chinese restaurant offers dishes inspired by Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine, with a modern twist.
At Mamlaka Social Dining, guests order directly from each restaurant’s booth before choosing a table within the shared dining area. Many opt for the outdoor terrace, which offers sweeping views of Riyadh from the iconic tower.
Yu’s one-page menu is concise yet diverse in options, with a particular focus on starters and dim sum. The starters introduce the menu’s flavor palette.
To start, I opted for the Szechuan crispy duck roll which comes wrapped in homemade pancake and stuffed with cucumber and spring onion alongside the crispy duck meat.
One order comes with two rolls on a plate, perfect for those looking to share one of the best dishes on the menu. The crunchy duck meat, fresh cucumber, and sweet sauce provides a balanced and delicious starter experience.
Another popular dish — often sold out — is the bang bang chicken, served with chili and pandan cream for a bold, spicy kick. For a milder option, the smoked corn chicken offers a deeper, caramelized flavor profile.
When it comes to buns and dumplings, I would go for either the baked smoked angus bun or the Szechuan sui mai.
If you are looking for something on the heavier side, the baked smoked angus bun is intense with strong flavors of beef paired with a sauce and fluffy bun.
On the other hand, the Szechuan sui mai is a light and fresh dish, paired with soybean, chili, Chinese mushrooms, and spring onion.
For the main course, I selected the sweet and sour chicken and paired it with the vegetable noodles.
Unfortunately, Yu by Toki’s does not offer dessert, which can be disappointing for those looking to indulge in Chinese varieties. Mamlaka Social Dining solves this by offering a vast array of options.
