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FEATURE

Harvesting of Aloe ferox leaves supports many households. Catharanthus or Madagascar Periwinkle is Leopard Orchid or Ansellia gigantea can assist
Photo: www.thenaturalafrica.com known for its ability to treat diabetes and in recovering lost lovers.
mitigate breast cancer. Photo courtesy of Linda de Luca, Random
Photo: https:// images.theconversation.com Harvest Nursery

centre stage on news platforms, the role Understanding the conservation Cape Dutch settlers developed many
of traditional healers is seen as being more value of medicinal plants natural plant-based remedies. During the
significant. A loss of medicinal plants would In terms of biodiversity richness, South 1990s there was a tremendous surge of
drive up economic costs for local people, who Africa is highly ranked as the third most research in this field, particularly when it
would have to travel to hospitals and clinics biologically diverse country in the was realised that South Africa was one of
to seek help, a costly and time-consuming world in terms of species richness and a few remaining areas with tremendous
factor, rather than consulting traditional endemism, with 80% of its plant species potential for new pharmaceuticals and
healers who are more readily available and being endemic. Revised data sets for other plant-based medicines. The science
whose fees are more affordable. South Africa indicate some 2 062 plant is clear: our medicinal plants can be used
The inyanga or herbalist has an intimate taxa (or 10% of its national flora) have to heal a variety of ailments.
knowledge of local plant material and been documented for use in traditional If we glance at the current availability
preparations, while the isangoma or medicine, with 656 of those recorded in lists of nurseries stocking indigenous
diviner establishes causes of ill health by the informal plant trade. Of these, 134 plants, we can see they are full of
communicating with the ancestors. These species are of conservation concern, perennials, shrubs and trees that also
categories are generally distinct, however with 56 directly threatened species and have an alternative medicinal plant
some THPs practise both disciplines. It has seven being critically endangered. This is use, for example Barleria prionitis subsp
been estimated that over 80% of South cause for concern given the high volumes delagoensis is a small shrub hailing from
Africans make use of African traditional removed from the wild. Strategies to Mphumulanga. It bears attractive butter
medicine. mitigate this threat include formalisation yellow blossoms and plant parts are
of the trade, establishment of community- used as a mouthwash for toothache and
based resource management, tightening treating bleeding gums and ulcers. The
of legislation and monitoring, and the juice of Plakkies (Cotyldon orbiculata)
institution of cultivation projects for the can be warmed and applied as drops
most threatened species. for toothache or ear ache. Likewise, the
Lavender tree (Heteropoxis natalensis),
Scientific healing properties … another popular landscape tree, yields its
nature’s pharmacy in your garden. leaves and twigs for a decoction used to
Plants have been a primary source of prevent mouth infections.
medicine since ancient times and still In the case of childbirth, lead
continue to provide humankind with new preparations from the popular Clivia
remedies, contributing active ingredients miniata and C. nobilis are used to induce
for no less than 25% of all clinical drugs. labour and assist in delivery. Decoctions
The Kew global plant survey report (2016) of the tuberous roots of Agapanthus
places the number of plants used for africanus are given as antenatal medicine
medicines at 17 810 species. A number and can assist in the functioning of the
of alternative healing systems to Western kidneys.
allopathic medicine are practiced When it comes to skin care, wounds
globally, including complementary and and burns, the Aloe family tops the list.
alternative medicine (CAM), medicinal Nuclear burn victims from Hiroshima
and aromatic plants (MAP) and traditional were treated with leaf extracts from the
medicine (TM). Familiar world systems humble Kranz Aloe (Aloe arborescens). The
include traditional Chinese medicine Bitter Aloe (Aloe ferox) was originally used
(TCM), Indian ayurvedic medicine and by the Khoi communities to heal open
African traditional medicine (ATM). wounds, sores and burns in both humans
There is ample evidence that the and livestock. The socio-economic
first indigenous South African peoples benefits of the South African Aloe ferox
have made use of medicinal plants for industry ranges from poor individuals
centuries. The first South Africans or Khoi- who derive an income from Aloe tapping,
San have been described as “economic to the commercialised trade of large
botanists par excellence” and the early pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

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