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 Many modern medicines have their origins in plants, which have been used for millennia
in the treatment of illness and disease. Plants and their derivatives contribute to more
than fifty per cent of all drugs used worldwide. Some well-known examples of plant-derived
drugs include quinine, morphine, codeine, and aspirin. Recently, new anti-cancer drugs
such as Taxol, have been derived from yew (Taxus baccata).
It is estimated that 70 per cent of South Africans consult traditional healers. Many of
the traditional medicines used in South Africa are still derived from plants. Large
quantities of plants and their derivatives (extracts) are sold in the informal sector.
Traditional healers use plants in a variety of ways. Parts of plants can be applied
directly to wounds and cuts or prepared as powders that are used like snuff, or in the
form of smoke or fumes, or as infusions. Knowledge of healing is passed on from generation
to generation by healers or may be received from the ancestors through dreams.
In recent times, Nama healers have discovered that the introduced (exotic) Nicotiana
glauca is useful in treating wounds. Today there is a growing interest in natural and
traditional medicines and scientists all over the world are looking for new cures in
collaboration with traditional healers.
The harvesting of plants, their drying and analysis in laboratories mimics what
traditional healers do. Laboratories use a variety of solvents to extract molecules of the
active compounds, which are made into medicines in the form of liquids, ointments or
pills. Traditional preparation of medicines involved the reduction of plant parts into
powders, infusions and smoke or fumes.
Some plants used by healers
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Agothosma betulina
(Ruaceae) Common Names: ibuchu (Xhosa); boegoe (Afrikaans); buchu (Khoisan, English)
Use: The leaves and roots are used. Buchu has been widely used for the treatment of
kidney and urinary tract diseases. It is applied locally to bruises and rheumatic pains.
Leaves are chewed to relieve stomach complaints. Infusions are used against fever,
tiredness and congestion of the chest, and to strengthen the body.
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Aloe ferox
(Asphodelaceae)
Common Names: ikhala (Xhosa); bitteraalwyn (Afrikaans); Cape aloe (English)
Use: Mainly the leaves are used. Fresh leaf juice is used in the treatment of
conjuctivitis. Powder ground from charred leaves is applied to venereal sores. Ground
leaves are used for snuff. Bitter aloe is traditionally used in the treatment of
arthritis, eczema and hypertension. It is also applied externally to treat skin
irritations, burns and bruises.
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Artemesia afra
(Asteraceae) Common Names: Umhlonyane (Xhosa, Zulu); wildeals (Afrikaans); African wormwood
(English)
Traditional Use: Mainly the highly aromatic leaves which are used. Bitter-tasting
infusions from the leaves are taken as teas for stomach complaints. Crushed leaves are
commonly inhaled for headaches and colds. This plant is also used in the treatment of
measles and malaria. Powders ground from the plant and suspended in water or milk are made
into enemas to treat constipation and intestinal worms. Leaves sometimes inserted in
the nostrils as a precaution against colds.
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Salix mucronata (Salicaceae)
Common Names: Umngcunube (Xhosa); wilde wilger (Afrikaans); wild willow (English)
Use: Mainly the branch tips and leaves are used. The willow tips are traditionally used
to treat rheumatism and fever. The plant has anti-inflammatory properties. Aspirin, the
analgesic, is derived from this plant.
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Some examples of traditional medicines
- Bark of umngcunube; wilde wilger; wild willow from which Aspirin is derived.
- Dried ibuchu; boegoe; buchu and traditional healer's preparation: for fever and
tiredness; to strengthen the body; and for congested chest
- Dutch remedies. The active ingredients are plant compounds from, for example, ikhala;
bitteraalwyn; Cape (bitter) aloe. Many of these remedies were derived from the knowledge
of indigenous South African healers.
- Herbal tea made from devil's claw.
Divining bones
Diviners were trained to throw and interpret the position of 'bones' in order to find
out the cause of a client's misfortune or ailment.
Divining Bones
- Cultural Affiliation: Swazi
- Materials: bone, metal, shell and plant.
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