An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Durban, South Africa

Planta Medica ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Coopoosamy ◽  
KK Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Ethnobotanical Survey

scholarly journals An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1746-53
Author(s):  
Idris O Raimi ◽  
Boikanyo G Kopaopa ◽  
Liziwe L Mugivhisa ◽  
Francis B Lewu ◽  
Stephen O Amoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Ethnobotanical Survey ◽  
Indigenous Plants ◽  
Citation Frequency ◽  
Traditional Practitioners

Background: Knowledge of medicinal plants used by the traditional healers are mostly confined among the locals and the adherents, hence, proper enquiry and documentation can help the ever dynamic scientific world to find permanent cure to the menace of such deadly diseases such as cancer. This study aimed at (1) specifically recording medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, South Africa, and (2) documenting the different methods of preparation and administration of those medicinal plants as recorded during the study. Method: An open-ended semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 90 willing traditional healers in Hammanskraal and Winterveld area, Tshwane Municipality, South Africa to document plants used for cancer treatments. The study was conducted over a period of six months (July – December, 2018). Descriptive statistics was used to present the obtained data. Results: The study recorded twenty-eight plant species belonging to 18 families for the treatment of different types of cancer. Plant species in the Fabaceae family particularly Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt and J.C. Manning, Senna italica Mill and Trifolium pratense L. were the most prominently mentioned (highest citation frequency) by the traditional healers for lung, and skin cancer treatment. Based on the citation frequency, the most treated cancer by the traditional healers is in the order: skin cancer > lung cancer > breast cancer > prostate cancer > cervical cancer. The method of preparation included decoction(32.3%), infusion (29%), paste (16.1%) and maceration (22.6%). Conclusion: In addition to the documentation of indigenous knowledge related to the use of medicinal plants in the traditional management of cancer in South Africa, this study opens a vista for investigations into the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the documented plants. Keywords: Cancer; Indigenous plants; Medicinal plants; South Africa; Traditional practitioners.

scholarly journals Phytotherapeutic Information on Plants Used for the Treatment of Tuberculosis in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. O. Lawal ◽  
D. S. Grierson ◽  
A. J. Afolayan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Ethnobotanical Survey ◽  
Vernacular Names ◽  
Scientific Documentation ◽  
Haemanthus Albiflos

The current rate of deforestation in Africa constitutes a serious danger to the future of medicinal plants on this continent. Conservation of these medicinal plants in the field and the scientific documentation of our knowledge about them are therefore crucial. An ethnobotanical survey of plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) was carried out in selected areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. These areas were Hala, Ncera, Sheshegu, and Gquamashe, all within the Nkonkobe Municipality. One hundred informants were interviewed. The survey included the identification of scientific and vernacular names of the plants used for treatment of TB as well as the methods of preparation and administration, the part used, dosage, and duration of treatment. The survey revealed 30 plants belonging to 21 families which are commonly used by traditional healers for the treatment of TB and associated diseases. Of these plantsClausena anisata, Haemanthus albiflos,andArtemisia afrawere the most cited. The leaves were the most common part used in the medicinal preparations. Our findings are discussed in relation to the importance of the documentation of medicinal plants.

scholarly journals Medicinal Plants Used for the Traditional Management of Diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: Pharmacology and Toxicology

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 2759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Odeyemi ◽  
Graeme Bradley
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Insulin Mimetic ◽  
Almost All

The use of medicinal plants for the management of diabetes mellitus is on the rise in the developing countries, including South Africa. There is increasing scientific evidence that supports the claims by the traditional healers. In this review, we compare the families of previously reported anti-diabetic plants in the Eastern Cape by rating the anti-diabetic activity, mode of action and also highlight their therapeutic potentials based on the available evidence on their pharmacology and toxicity. Forty-five plants mentioned in ethnobotanical surveys were subjected to a comprehensive literature search in the available electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Elsevier, by using “plant name” and “family” as the keywords for the primary searches to determine the plants that have been scientifically investigated for anti-diabetic activity. The search returned 25 families with Asteraceae highly reported, followed by Asphodelaceae and Alliaceae. Most of the plants have been studied for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro, with most of the plants having a higher percentage of insulin release and inhibition against carbohydrate digesting enzymes as compared with insulin mimetic and peripheral glucose uptake. Almost all the investigated plants also inhibit oxidative stress as part of their hypoglycemic activity with less toxicity. However, the isolation of their bioactive molecules is still lacking. This review provides a resource to enable thorough assessments of the therapeutic profiles of available medicinal plants used for the management of diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Further studies such as the identification of the active ingredients of potent plants still need to be carried out; this may lead to new molecules in drug discovery and development.

scholarly journals Ethnopharmacological Study of Plants Used against Malaria by Traditional Healers in the Department of Bouna, North-Eastern Côte d'Ivoire

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-22
Author(s):  
Koffi Akissi Jeanne ◽  
Tano Konan Dominique ◽  
Kangah Orphée Michelle Alerte ◽  
Rasmane Na Ahou Kaddy ◽  
Ehoulé Kroa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ethnobotanical Survey ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Therapeutic Alternatives

Mosquitoes have developed resistance, hence the need for anti-malarial medicines. This resistance calls for therapeutic an interest to therapeutic alternatives, including the medicinal plants. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted amongst 15 Traditional Healers, recommended by the National Program for the Promotion of Traditional Medicine using semi-structured interviews in the city of Bouna. The ethnobotanical survey conducted in 2019 has enabled the identification of 32 plant species belonging to 30 genera and grouped into 19 families. The most represented families were Fabaceae (5 species) Anacardiaceae (4 species), Annonaceae (3 species), Rubiaceae, Zingiberaceae, Asteraceae, and Combretaceae with 2 species each. The species were mostly trees (63.63%). Leaves were the most frequently used parts of the plants (44.4%). The results of our investigations show that the most used mode is the decoction (42.22%). The oral route (60%) is the most used mode of administration. These species complete the non-exhaustive list of medicinal plants that the populations of Cote d'Ivoire use. It was found out that, people in this area commonly use medicinal plants with trust they have built on the curative outcome witnessed. However, this creates a further work to test for the antiplasmodial activity and to develop of Traditional Improved Medicines (MTAs).

scholarly journals Ethnopharmacological Survey of Herbal Remedies Used for the Treatment of Cancer in the Greater Casablanca-Morocco

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Bourhia ◽  
Abdelaaty Abdelaziz Shahat ◽  
Omer Mohammed Almarfadi ◽  
Fahd Ali Naser ◽  
Wael Mostafa Abdelmageed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Traditional Herbal Medicine ◽  
Ethnobotanical Survey ◽  
Scientific Validity

Medicinal plants played an important role in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases since antiquities. The aim of the study is to carry out an ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants used traditionally in cancer treatment in the region of Greater Casablanca-Morocco, and to enhance the traditional herbal medicine knowledge. 110 traditional healers in the study area were interviewed face to face to response a survey questionnaire including the names of plants used in cancer treatment, used parts, methods of preparation, and route of administration. Indices of Fidelity Level (FL), Use Value (UV), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated to identify the most effective plants used for cancer treatment. Eight species were specified including Aristolochia baetica, Aristolochia paucinervis, Bryonia dioica, Aquilaria malaccensis, Marrubium vulgare, Lavandula maroccana, Ephedra alata, and Euphorbia resinifera belonging to 7 families. Aristolochiaceae, Aquilariaceae, and Cucurbitaceae were the most useful families in cancer treatment with high significant indices of UV, FL, and RFC with values of 1, 100%, and 1, respectively. Roots and leaves were the most commonly used plant parts. Decoction and powder mixed with honey were the frequently used method for remedies preparation. The present study showed that the people living in Morocco’s economic capital are still highly dependent on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, it seems that herbal medicine still plays a crucial role in the primary healthcare system for the local population. During this survey, it was reported that even some plant families are highly toxic for humans like Aristolochiaceae that are frequently used in cancer treatment in the study area. As many people still rely on natural traditional medicine considering (it is safe with no side effects), so combined effort between all social categories including scientists and traditional healers should be established for involving the scientific validity of the used plants in the treatment of diseases.

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