In search of the perfect aphrodisiac: Parallel use of bitter tonics in West Africa and the Caribbean

Andel, Tinde van; Mitchell, Sylvia; Volpato, Gabriele; Vandebroek, Ina; Swier, Jorik; Ruysschaert, Sofie; Jiménez, Carlos Ariel Rentería; Raes, Niels

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.008

Cited by 42 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…To the best of our knowledge, this is a first report describing their species-specific use in the treatment of impotence. However, a recent study (Van Andel et al, 2012) did indicate the use of the genus Zanthoxylum as an aphrodisiac. A number of these species had limited use among the healers interviewed, as most of them were used in a single municipality (Table 2).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Erectile dysfunction: Definition and materia medica of Bapedi traditional healers in Limpopo province, South Africa

Erasmus¹,

Potgieter²,

Semenya³

2015

J. Med. Plants Res.

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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a neurovascular event modulated by various factors impacting on the physiological functioning of the penile tissue. Interest in therapeutic substances of plant origin, used to treat ED, has progressively increased in the last decades. This ethnobotanical study on Bapedi aphrodisiacs was undertaken during 2010/2011 to document the floral diversity, species utilization, extract preparation and administration. The emphasis was on the customs of traditional healers residing in 17 municipalities, in three districts in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Data was obtained, from 34 healers, using a semi-structured questionnaire. According to these traditional healers, ED entails the inability to sustain an erection during coitus as well as a decreased libido. Findings indicated the use of 12 species, 10 of them with new documentations. Among these species, Zanthoxylum humile was the most frequently used species, and only Osyris lanceolata and Securidaca longepedunculata were previously recorded in the treatment of ED. There was a definite selection for underground parts. Preparation was uncomplicated; with cooking and pounding of the preferred methods. Administration was mostly attained via oral administration; however, the vehicle for administration varied. This manuscript validated the application of two species as aphrodisiacs. It is concluded that the major contribution is the 10 species that have not been documented earlier.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Erectile dysfunction: Definition and materia medica of Bapedi traditional healers in Limpopo province, South Africa

Erasmus¹,

Potgieter²,

Semenya³

2015

J. Med. Plants Res.

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“…The well-known Latin-American CBS susto (fright), defined as a person who is believed to have lost his/her soul and became ill as a result of fright by an unexpected accident, is also known among the Hispanic population in the United States [3], [4]. The practise of drinking bitter tonics, an African medicinal mixture used to enhance male sexual power and prevent disease by “making the blood bitter”, has survived two migratory moves: it is common among descendants of African slaves in the Americas and among Caribbean migrants in Europe [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, we compare Surinamese and African populations to study CBS and associated plant use in the context of the largest migrations in recent human history: the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Although the enslaved Africans could not bring many plants from their homeland, their traditional ideas about health and sickness and their plant knowledge were transferred with them across the ocean [5], [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They share less than 1% of their total number of species, including domesticated exotics and pantropical weeds [13]. Thus, the enslaved Africans were forced to adapt their medicinal plant use to a completely new environment in order to survive [5], [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent research [5], however, shows that enslaved Africans in Suriname were very flexible in reinventing their herbal pharmacopeia. When faced with new diseases, both Maroons and Creoles learned from local Amerindians and Europeans which plants to use in their treatments but also practised trial and error to discover new herbal remedies [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Consequences of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Medicinal Plant Selection: Plant Use for Cultural Bound Syndromes Affecting Children in Suriname and Western Africa

et al. 2014

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Folk perceptions of health and illness include cultural bound syndromes (CBS), ailments generally confined to certain cultural groups or geographic regions and often treated with medicinal plants. Our aim was to compare definitions and plant use for CBS regarding child health in the context of the largest migration in recent human history: the trans-Atlantic slave trade. We compared definitions of four CBS (walk early, evil eye, atita and fontanels) and associated plant use among three Afro-Surinamese populations and their African ancestor groups in Ghana, Bénin and Gabon. We expected plant use to be similar on species level, and assumed the majority to be weedy or domesticated species, as these occur on both continents and were probably recognized by enslaved Africans. Data were obtained by identifying plants mentioned during interviews with local women from the six different populations. To analyse differences and similarities in plant use we used Detrended Component Analysis (DCA) and a Wald Chi-square test. Definitions of the four cultural bound syndromes were roughly the same on both continents. In total, 324 plant species were used. There was little overlap between Suriname and Africa: 15 species were used on two continents, of which seven species were used for the same CBS. Correspondence on family level was much higher. Surinamese populations used significantly more weedy species than Africans, but equal percentages of domesticated plants. Our data indicate that Afro-Surinamers have searched for similar plants to treat their CBS as they remembered from Africa. In some cases, they have found the same species, but they had to reinvent the largest part of their herbal pharmacopeia to treat their CBS using known plant families or trying out new species. Ideas on health and illness appear to be more resilient than the use of plants to treat them.

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Gynaecological, Andrological and Urological Problems: An Ethnopharmacological Perspective

2015

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In search of the perfect aphrodisiac: Parallel use of bitter tonics in West Africa and the Caribbean

Cited by 42 publications

References 25 publications

Erectile dysfunction: Definition and materia medica of Bapedi traditional healers in Limpopo province, South Africa

Erectile dysfunction: Definition and materia medica of Bapedi traditional healers in Limpopo province, South Africa

Consequences of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Medicinal Plant Selection: Plant Use for Cultural Bound Syndromes Affecting Children in Suriname and Western Africa

Gynaecological, Andrological and Urological Problems: An Ethnopharmacological Perspective

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