scholarly journals An ethnobotanical survey of Athrixia phylicoides and its uses.

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Olivier ◽  
A. E. De Jager

Although traditional green and black tea is the world’s favourite drink, health or herbal “teas” are becoming increasingly popular. Despite the diversity of indigenous South African plants, only two herbal teas, namely honeybush and rooibos, are presently being produced on a commercial basis. However, a “tea” obtained from the Athrixia phylicoides plant, is extremely popular in the eastern interior of the country and may have commercial potential. Two ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Limpopo Province and in KwaZulu-Natal to obtain information on the traditional use of the plant amongst different ethnic groups. It was found that A. phylicoides is used as a herbal “tea”, as a medicine and for the making of brooms. Although A. phylicoides tea is very popular, the plant is most often used for the making of brooms. Medicinally it is used to treat “heart problems”, high blood pressure and diabetes. Only minor ethnically-based differences in medicinal use were revealed by the surveys. Its symbolic value and use during religious ceremonies were previously undocumented. Owing to indiscriminate harvesting techniques practised by pickers from urban areas, the plant is becoming increasingly scarce and may be faced with local extinction.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balungile Madikizela ◽  
Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala ◽  
Jeffrey Franklin Finnie ◽  
Johannes Van Staden

Respiratory ailments are major human killers, especially in developing countries. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease causing a threat to human healthcare. Many South African plants are used in the traditional treatment of TB and related symptoms, but there has not been a sufficient focus on evaluating their antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of plants used traditionally to treat TB and related symptoms against microorganisms (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus,andMycobacterium aurumA+) associated with respiratory infections using the microdilution assay. Ten plants were selected based on a survey of available literature of medicinal plants used in South Africa for the treatment of TB and related symptoms. The petroleum ether, dichloromethane, 80% ethanol, and water extracts of the selected plants were evaluated for antibacterial activity. Out of 68 extracts tested from different parts of the 10 plant species, 17 showed good antimicrobial activities against at least one or more of the microbial strains tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.195 to 12.5 mg/mL. The good antimicrobial properties ofAbrus precatorius, Terminalia phanerophlebia, Indigofera arrecta,andPentanisia prunelloidesauthenticate their traditional use in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Thus, further pharmacological and phytochemical analysis is required.


Planta Medica ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
GN Ndlovu ◽  
G Fouche ◽  
W Cordier ◽  
V Steenkamp ◽  
M Tselanyane

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husna Zulkipli ◽  
Norita Salim ◽  
Gabriele Anisah Froemming ◽  
Aletza Mohd Ismail ◽  
Hapizah Nawawi

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (S1) ◽  
pp. S191-S196
Author(s):  
A. Mouhaddach ◽  
A. El-hadi ◽  
K. Taghzouti ◽  
M. Bendaou ◽  
R. Hassikou

Opuntia ficus-indica(the cactus or prickly pear) is a cactus belonging to the Opuntiae family. Several Opuntiae plant parts have been used in traditional Moroccan medicine. In this study, we investigated its most common use as an analgesic. An ethnobotanical study ofOpuntia ficus-indicawas first conducted in 10 areas in Morocco. Extracts fromOpuntia ficus-indicacladodes were obtained using a decoction method and its analgesic activity in mice was investigated by the hot plate and tail flick methods. Cladode extracts had significant (p<0.05) analgesic activity at intraperitoneal doses of 300, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight. Both methods revealed significantly increased latency at all three doses (p<0.05) compared to controls. These data suggest that the traditional use of this plant as an analgesic is valid; in fact, perhaps it may be a centrally-acting analgesic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Mthembu ◽  
Musawenkosi Mabaso ◽  
Sarah Reis ◽  
Khangelani Zuma ◽  
Nompumelelo Zungu

Abstract Background Evidence indicate that intimate partner violence (IPV) is disturbingly high among South African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Understanding prevalence and risk factors for IPV among these emerging adults is critical for developing appropriate interventions to prevent adverse health outcomes later in life. This study investigates the prevalence and factors associated with lifetime physical IPV experience among AGYW, aged 15–24 years, using the South African national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour and communication survey conducted in 2017. Methods The data used in this secondary analysis was obtained from a cross-sectional, population-based household survey data, conducted using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling approach. Multivariate stepwise backward logistic regression modelling was used to determine factors associated with IPV. Results Of 716 AGYW that responded to the two commonly answered questions on IPV, 13.1% (95% CI: 9.6–17.6) indicated that they experienced IPV. The odds of reporting experiences of IPV were significantly lower among AGYW residing in high SES households [AOR = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02–0.47), p = 0.004] than low SES households, and those residing in rural informal/tribal areas [AOR = 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.22), p = 0.004] than urban areas. AGYW experiencing IPV had higher odds of reporting psychological distress compared to their counterparts [AOR = 4.37 (95% CI, 0.97–19.72), p = 0.054]. Conclusion The findings highlight the need for targeted structural and psychosocial interventions in low SES households and especially in urban areas.


Author(s):  
Mathodi F. Motsamayi ◽  

Beads and beadwork have played a role in South Africa’s Limpopo Province dating back to the pre-colonial times. Whether the beads were produced locally or imported via trading networks, the region already had a rich tradition of constructing beadwork before the arrival of Europeans. Today, this tradition is continued by new generations of women beaders. It has been found that literature on contemporary Limpopo beadwork produced by Vhavenḓa women is scarce. This article addressed this imbalance. It is vital to state that, during the last decade and in the context of South African heritage and tourism, there has been a steadily increasing number of scholarly studies on Nguni beadwork. This study offered new insights into contemporary beadwork traditions. It also contributed to an understanding of Vhavenḓa beading by drawing on the knowledge and experience of beadworkers, identifying influences from the past, and countering some stereotypical perceptions of beadwork production.


Planta Medica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Modesto Nascimento Menezes ◽  
Emanuella Chiara Valença Pereira ◽  
Kátia Simoni Bezerra Lima ◽  
Bismarques Augusto Oliveira da Silva ◽  
Mariana Coelho Brito ◽  
...  

Abstract Cannabis sativa is a millenary medicinal plant. However, contrary to worldwide paradigm-shifting, countries like Brazil still prohibit C. sativa cultivation and its medicinal use, even though many populations use aerial parts and roots of this plant for healthcare. As such, the objective of this work was to identify substances in the samples of the C. sativa roots, tracing a correlation with antitussive and expectorant effects. Therefore, samples of C. sativa roots were donated by the Polícia Federal Brasileira, and its aqueous extract (AECsR) was prepared with subsequent lyophilization, to maintain the material stability. After that, the material was analyzed by LC-MS to observe its chemical profile. Four samples (AECsR-A, B, C, and D) were tested in animal models of citric acid-induced cough (0.4 M) and phenol red expectoration (500 mg/kg). Using LC-MS it was possible to identify 5 molecules in C. sativa roots: p-coumaroyltyramine, tetrahydrocannabinol-C4, feruoiltyramine, anhydrocanabisativine, and cannabisativine. In experimental protocols, male mice (Mus musculus) were treated with samples of AECsR at doses of 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg regardless of the pharmacological test. In these tests, all samples showed the potential to treat cough and promote fluid expectoration, differing only in the dose at which these effects were observed. Therefore, the data showed that the C. sativa roots of the Brazilian Northeast showed antitussive and expectorant effects, even with intense secondary metabolitesʼ variation, which alters its potency, but not its effect. This highlights the importance of this medicinal plant for future therapy and corroborates to traditional use.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Cardoso ◽  
Luiza Dias Moreira ◽  
Mirian Costa ◽  
Renata Celi Lopes Toledo ◽  
Mariana Grancieri ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green and black tea kombuchas consumption on adiposity, lipid metabolism, liver steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in Wistar rats...


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