TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL HERBS
Red carrot, Rooiwortel
Scientific Name
Bulbine latifolia Spreng
Plant Part Harvested
Rhizome
Medicinal Properties
Bulbine latifolia is popular among the traditional healers. The roots are used, taken orally to quell vomiting and diarrhoea, but also for a number of other ailments, including diabetes adn rheumatism (Van Wyk et al 1997). The leaf sap is used to treat wounds, burns, eczema, rashes and itches.
Wild garlic, Wilde knoffel
Scientific Name
Tulbaghia capensis
Plant Part Harvested
Bulb
Medicinal Properties
The plant has been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal and antithrombotic properties. The leaves have also been used for oesophageal cancer and sinus headaches. When planted around the house, Tulbaghia violacea keeps snakes, mosquitoes, ticks and fleas away. In the garden, they attract bees, butterflies and moths.
African potato, Afrikaaartappel (A) Nonkwe
Scientific Name
Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch
Plant Part Harvested
Bulb
Medicinal Properties
Anxiety, palpitations, depression and rheumatoid arthritis are further ailments treated with the plant. Hypoxis hemerocallidea is used to build up the immune system of patients suffering from cancer and HIV. ... hemerocallidea are also effective in the treatment of the urinary system.
Imphepho
Scientific Name
Helichrysum patulum
Plant Part Harvested
Foilage
Medicinal Properties
Helichrysum patulum is medically used to treat many ailments such as asthma, bladder infections, gynaecological disorders, backache, fatigue, stress hypertension, cardiac problems and influenza. The strongly aromatic leaves can be used to keep insects and parasites away.
Buchu, Boegoe
Scientific Name
Agathosma spp.1,3,5
Plant Part Harvested
Foilage
Medicinal Properties
Historically, buchu has been used to treat inflammation, and kidney and urinary tract infections; as a diuretic and as a stomach tonic. Other uses include carminative action and treatment of cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, and gout. It also has been used for leukorrhea and yeast infections.
Kalmus
Scientific Name
Acorus calmus L
Plant Part Harvested
Root
Medicinal Properties
The aromatic, bitter rhizomes are used in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence and diarrhoea. It is also used to stimulate appetite. Its traditional uses are mainly as a digestive and carminative and sometimes as an emetic, anti-spasmodic and anthelmintic.
Dassiepis
Scientific Name
Hyraceum
Plant Part Harvested
Excrement
Medicinal Properties
The strongly aromatic hyraceum is also a well-known Khoikhoi medicine, often used as a post-natal medicine for mothers and babies and a remedy for hysteria and epilepsy (van Wyk, 2008). The fossil is formed from the faeces and urine of P.
Matunga , White April fool
Scientific Name
Haemanthus albiflos
Plant Part Harvested
Bulb
Medicinal Properties
Not many medicinal uses have been chronicled, but preparations of different parts, mostly of the bulb and roots, are said to provide relief from persistent coughs. It has also been used in traditional folklore as a protective charm to ward off lightning.
Mountain celery, bergselder
Scientific Name
Peucedanum galbanum
Plant Part Harvested
Foliage
Medicinal Properties
In the traditional medicine of the indigenous peoples of the Cape, it has been recorded as a diuretic and as a treatment for rheumatism, gout, bladder ailments, water retention and high blood pressure. The medicinal application of the plant's foliage took the form of an infusion.
Bittabos
Scientific Name
Chironia baccifera
Plant Part Harvested
Foliage
Medicinal Properties
It was originally used by the Khoi and adopted by the early European settlers. One of the main uses is as a purgative. Infusions and tinctures are used to treat a range of ailments including haemorrhoids (piles), stomach ulcers, syphilis, leprosy, diabetes and kidney and bladder infections.
Bitter patat
Scientific Name
Kedrostis nana
Plant Part Harvested
Bulb
Medicinal Properties
Helps for Diabetes.
Red onion mascaban
Scientific Name
Drimia elata
Plant Part Harvested
Bulb
Medicinal Properties
Has been claimed to be effective in bronchial and cardiac disorders. It has been also used topically as hair tonic for dandruff and seborrhea. Ethnomedicinal application of numerous Drimia species has been reported from different African countries. ... elata is used as emetic and expectorant by African people.
Cancer bush, Kankerbos
Scientific Name
Lessertia frutescens
Plant Part Harvested
Foliage
Medicinal Properties
Infusions from the leaves and stems are used to treat cancers, fever, diabetes, kidney and liver problems, rheumatism, and stomach ailments. It is also used in the treatment of mental and emotional stress, including irritability, anxiety and depression and is used as a gentle tranquillizer.
Ysterhoutkoppe, Sandolien
Scientific Name
Dodonaea viscosa Royen ex Blume
Plant Part Harvested
Foliage
Medicinal Properties
The leaves are used externally as a remedy for itchy skin and to treat skin rashes. An extract of the leaves is used as a mild purgative and for rheumatism, sorethroat and haemorrhoids. Other early uses of the plant include the treatment of pneumonia, tuberculosis and skin rashes.
Renosterbos
Scientific Name
Elytropappus rhinocerotis
Plant Part Harvested
Foliage
Medicinal Properties
Elytropappus rhinocerotis is a medicinal plant in traditional African medicine. The young tips of the branches are used in traditional medicine to treat indigestion and stomach ulcers. The foliage tips are now usually added to wine or brandy for such medicinal consumption.
White storm, Wit storm
Scientific Name
Thesium disciflorum
Plant Part Harvested
Root
Medicinal Properties
Anti inflammatory and Analgesic
Blou-blomsalie
Scientific Name
Salvia africana-caerulea
Plant Part Harvested
Foliage
Medicinal Properties
Many African salvias, including Salvia africana have long been used by the people of Africa as medicinal plants and to flavour food. ... africana to treat coughs, colds and women's ailments. The leaves, mixed with those of Ballota africana (kattekruie) were also used to treat fevers and measles.
Moerbos
Scientific Name
Aristea africana Hoffmanns
Plant Part Harvested
Foliage
Black storm, Swart storm
Scientific Name
Thesium lineatum
Plant Part Harvested
Root
Sweet root Soet wortel
Scientific Name
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Plant Part Harvested
Root
Medicinal Properties
Licorice, an extract of the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, is used as a sweetening and flavoring agent. It is also used as an herbal remedy for gastritis and upper respiratory tract infections (as an expectorant). Modern cough syrups often include licorice extract.
Wildewingerd
Scientific Name
Cliffordia odorata
Plant Part Harvested
Foilage
Medicinal Properties
The leaves of Cliffortia odorata have a variety of medicinal uses in traditional medicine and some of its properties are now recognized in modern pharmacology. The leaves are used to treat cattle, goats and dogs, and as a lotion to wash wounds, infected sores, bites, blisters and to soothe haemorrhoids.
Rosemary, Roosmaryn
Scientific Name
Rosmarinus officinalis
Plant Part Harvested
Foilage
Medicinal Properties
The herb has been hailed since ancient times for its medicinal properties. Rosemary was traditionally used to help alleviate muscle pain, improve memory, boost the immune and circulatory system, and promote hair growth
Kaneelbol, Rooirabas
Scientific Name
Pelargonium sp. (tubulare)
Plant Part Harvested
Tuber
Medicinal Properties
The medicinal properties of Pelargonium are well documented. Some of the species was used by the indigenous people of southern Africa to provide relief with dysentery and diarrhea. Leaf extracts from some species have shown to contain antimicrobial effects.