The sound of crushed dried herbs, the aroma of medicinal teas, and the soft chatter of young women fill a small workshop in Afghanistan, where they prepare natural remedies.
Every day, these women make herbal and traditional medicines, turning herbs from nature into a way to earn a living. The hum of grinders, the careful packaging of remedies, and their calm conversations tell a story that is more than just work—it is about skill, determination, and empowerment.
Farzana Anwari, who has been working in the workshop for four years, says many of the remedies are for nerves, infections, stomach pain, kidney stones, and jaundice. She adds that the young women who joined with little knowledge of medicinal herbs have learned a lot and can now make remedies with confidence.
Shaimagul Samadi shares a similar story. She says: “Before, I knew a little about herbs, but I didn’t know how to use them—what they are good for, what benefits they have, or how they work. Since I came here, I’ve learned how to use them properly.”
The training goes beyond learning. For many women, it has improved their family’s finances.
Somaya Haidari says: “This work helps me a lot. It supports my family, lets me save some money, and the remedies are safe for my children. We live in a poor neighborhood, and as the saying goes, ‘little by little, a drop becomes an ocean.’ This job helps solve some of our problems.”
Elham Ahmadi, who sells the remedies, explains that both young and old come to buy them. She says, “Every day, 10 to 15 patients visit. Most are poor. Chemical medicines are expensive, but our remedies are affordable and reasonably priced.”
The workshop was started five years ago by a female entrepreneur. Today, it directly and indirectly employs 555 women.
Shukria Ahmadi, the manager, says the main goal was to give women who cannot work outside due to social or economic reasons, a chance to earn. She says: “I started with very little money. Now we have four to five branches, and our investment has grown to 500,000 Afghanis. We make over 100 types of herbal remedies, including extracts, tablets, capsules, powders, oils, and soaps.”
Abdulrahman Karimi, an economic issues expert in Herat, says workshops like this are very important. According to him, business helps increase income, improve financial control, build self-confidence, develop skills, strengthen communities, and create jobs, benefiting both local and national economies.
This small workshop is a clear example of what women can do with limited resources. From medicinal herbs, they have created not just income, but also hope and financial independence.
Reporter: Kobra Salari
