Page 44 - Waterfall Issue 9_2022
P. 44

Waterfall Health & Wellness


        THE HEALING POWER


        OF INDIGENOUS



        SOUTH AFRICAN HERBS






        In recent years there
                                                                                        Dr Hauptfleisch’s love of
        has been a resurgence                                                           herbal medicine has spanned
                                                                                        30 years and has included
        in traditionally used                                                           the growing, compounding
                                                                                        and dispensing of herbal
        medicinal plants to                                                             medicines. She has also

        improve health – either                                                         taught various aspects of
                                                                                        Phytotherapy at both lay and
        alone or in combination                                                         tertiary level. She believes that
                                                                                        herbal knowledge, if safely
        with conventional                                                               shared, is our birthright.

        medicines.



        O        ne of the main reasons for   home to a wide variety of indigenous   compounds that allow plants to resist

                 seeking herbal therapy
                                            medicinal plants that have been
                                                                                infections and insect infestations.
                                            used safely and effectively since time
                 or other alternatives to
                 conventional medicine
                                            are confirming their medicinal value.”
        is the belief that they will promote   immemorial. Science and clinical use   Drinking it regularly may help to:
                                                                                –  Enhance immunity
        healthier living. With the many                                         –  Reduce the incidence of cancer
        side-effects of modern medicines    These herbs include Rooibos,         due to its cytoprotective effect
        and growing antibiotic resistance,   Honeybush, Buchu, Aloe ferox and   –  Regulate blood glucose
        people the world over see herbal    Devil’s Claw, among others. Marketers   –  Protect the heart from
        medicine as a safer way to stay healthy   all over the globe are clamouring   degenerative damage
        and treat and prevent illness.      to include them in their products as   –  Slow the ageing process, since it is
                                            the demand for herbal medicine and   able to reduce oxidative stress, and
        Dr Caren Hauptfleisch, Chairperson   natural health products grows.      in turn reduce free radical damage
        of the SA Association of Registered                                     –  Prevent certain skin cancers.
        Phytotherapists (SAARP), who has    Dr Hauptfleisch highlights the benefits
        more than 30 years of herbal medicine   of some of our local herbs and how   When used topically, its anti-
        experience, says the steady increase in   they can be used to maintain health.  inflammatory properties can soothe skin
        the use of herbs can be seen throughout                                 irritations, such as eczema and dermatitis.
        the world. “The introduction of modern   Rooibos (Aspalanthus
        healthcare as we know it has led to   linearis)                         “Rooibos is a good daily supplement to
        the disappearance and displacement   Rooibos is a herb of great significance.   improve overall health in combination
        of many indigenous health practices,   It is rich in antioxidants, also referred   with a healthy lifestyle,” she adds.
        however scientists worldwide are    to as polyphenols, which are
        now looking to plants and herbs to                                      Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum
        formulate new phytotherapeutic                                          procumbens)
        agents (plant-based treatments) to                                      Dr Haupfleisch notes that herbal
        prevent and treat disease,” she says.                                   medicine should only be used if it is
                                                                                able to be sustainably grown. Human
        “South Africa, and in particular the                                    use and trade in a plant should never
        Western Cape’s floristic region, is                                     threaten its existence in the wild.


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