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With the popularity of herbal plants today and
the current South African trend to place emphasis on the treasures we
have in our beautiful country, it is no wonder that indigenous
gardening, and in particular, indigenous herb gardening is finding a
strong following with many garden and herb enthusiasts all over the
country.
It is truly inspiring to learn about the traditional uses of the many
uniquely South African plants. It is even more exciting when one
realises that they are still in use today, not only by inyangas,
sangomas and other traditional healers, but that they are even exported
across the world for inclusion in various remedies.
Join us for a quick view at ten of these indigenous herbal plants: |
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a.k.a
yellow stars, star lily (English); sterretjie, Afrika-patat
(Afrikaans); inkomfe; ilabatheka (Zulu)
African Potato has been held as South Africa's "miracle muthi" and is
commonly quoted to strengthen the immune system and as such is employed
against ailments including the common cold, flu, arthritis, tumors,
cancer and HIV/AIDS. |
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a.k.a
buchu (English); boegoe (Afrikaans); buchu (Khoi); ibuchu (Xhosa)
Buchu has long been used as a herbal medicine, particularly noted
effective against urinary tract infections and inflammation as well as
for inflammation of the prostate and for stomach aches. It was also
historically used for gout and rheumatism. |
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a.k.a
bitter aloe, red aloe (English); bitteraalwyn, bergaalwyn (Afrikaans);
inhlaba (Zulu); ikhala (Xhosa)
The Cape Aloe has mainly been used for its laxative properties, but has
also been taken for arthritis. The flesh from the inside of the leaves,
which is said to have wound healing properties, is used extensively in
the cosmetics industry. |
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a.k.a
snake flower, cat's tail, burn jelly plant (English); balsem kopieva,
geelkatstert (Afrikaans)
A wonderful remedy for burns, rashes, blisters, insect bites, cracked
lips, acne, cold sores, mouth ulcers, dry and cracked skin and simple
everyday knocks and scrapes, the fresh leaf produces a jelly-like juice
that can be applied directly to the skin for instant relief. |
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a.k.a
harpago
As a bitter herb, Devil’s Claw or Harpago is believed to stimulate
stomach acid and improve digestion. It also has anti-inflammatory and
pain-relieving properties and has been used for rheumatoid arthritis,
gout, osteo-arthritis and back pain. |
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a.k.a
rooibos, red bush, tea bush
High in anti-oxidants, Rooibos tea is not only a delicious
caffeine-free beverage hot or cold, but has also been medicinally used
to help with problems such as insomnia, irritability, headaches nervous
tension, hypertension and it has shown
anti-spasmodic properties. It forms the basis of many beauty products
and has also been applied against allergies, asthma and eczema. |
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a.k.a
wild garlic (English); wildeknoflok, wilde knoffel (Afrikaans)
Wild or Society Garlic has traditionally been used for relief in sinus
headaches, to clear coughs and colds, as a remedy for pulmonary
tuberculosis and to destroy intestinal worms. It can also be used as a
culinary herb to impart a flavour similar to that of chives or garlic
chives. It is said to discourage moles and snakes from entering the
garden and crushed on the skin it may repel fleas, ticks and mosquitos. |
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a.k.a
sutherlandia, cancer bush, balloon pea (English); umnwele (Xhosa
& Zulu); kankerbos, blaasbossie, blaas-ertjie, eendjies,
gansiekeurtjie, klappers, hoenderbelletjie (Afrikaans)
Sutherlandia has enjoyed a long history of medicinal use by all
cultures in South Africa. The plant is used mainly as a general health
tonic and to enhance the immune system. It has been described as an
adaptogen par-excellence and has been quoted for use in the treatment
or prevention of colds, flu, fevers, cancer, gastritis, anxiety,
nervousness and many other ailments. |
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a.k.a
Natal ginger, Wild ginger (English); wildegemmer (Afrikaans);
indungulo, isiphephetho (Zulu)
The highly aromatic roots and rhizomes of Wild Ginger are traditionally
chewed fresh to treat asthma, hysteria, colds, coughs and flu and has
even been administered to horses as a prevention against horse disease. |
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a.k.a
wild wormwood, African wormwood (English); wilde-als (Afrikaans);
umhlonyane (Xhosa); mhlonyane (Zulu); lengana (Tswana); zengana
Although it is arguably one of the oldest medicinal plants used in
South Africa, it is still widely taken today for a myriad of ailments
such as coughs, colds, fever, loss of appetite, colic, headache,
earache, intestinal worms and even malaria. The plant has also been
mentioned for use in a natural insecticide. |
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