Plants Used by Bapedi Traditional Healers to Treat Asthma and Related Symptoms in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

To the best of our knowledge there are presently no ethnobotanical surveys focusing on the utilisation of herbal remedies for asthma in South Africa. The present study is therefore an attempt to fill this gap in knowledge. A total of 140 Bapedi traditional healers (THs) practicing in the Capricorn, Sekhukhune, and Waterberg districts of the Limpopo Province (South Africa) were queried using semistructured questionnaires, supplemented by field observations during face-to-face interview. A total of 104 medicinal plant species (92 indigenous and 12 exotics) belonging to 92 genera, distributed across 54 botanical families, mostly the Asteraceae and Fabaceae (18.5%, for each) as well as Malvaceae (12.9%), were used as antiasthmatics and related symptoms by these THs. Most of the plants were trees and herbs (37.5%, for each), with root (57%), leaf (15.8%), and bark (7.5%), respectively, being the saliently used parts for preparation of remedies. Clerodendrum ternatum, Cryptocarya transvaalensis, Lasiosiphon caffer, Enicostema axillare, Mimusops obovata, Sclerocarya birrea, and Stylochaeton natalensis were widely used and valued by all THs across the surveyed districts. Furthermore, these taxa also scored both the highest use value and fidelity level indexes as asthma therapies. Overall, the larger number of species documented in the present study is recorded for the first time in literature as asthma and/or related symptoms remedies. Our study finding generally contributes towards an establishment of South African database of herbal therapies used traditionally against these conditions.

Short Communication: Local perceptions about utilization of invasive alien species Opuntia ficus-indica in three Local Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…Such a perception was observed by dos Santos et al (2014) who argued that there is often no differentiation by local communities between invasive alien species and native species as local communities often focus on the ecosystem goods and services provided by such species. Research findings from the current investigation corroborate previous studies which showed that invasive alien plant species may also have positive socio-economic benefits (Zimmermann and Neser 1999;Njoroge et al 2004;Bigirimana et al 2011Bigirimana et al , 2012Semenya et al 2012a,b;Maroyi 2017aMaroyi ,b, 2018Semenya and Maroyi 2018). Borokini and Babalola (2012) argued that economic exploitation of invasive alien species is usually labor intensive and menial jobs are usually created while providing additional means of income for local communities.…”

“…Similarly, Sladonja et al (2018) argued that invasive alien plants can be used as catalysts for ecosystem restoration, source of bioenergy, honey, fiber, ornamental plants, and herbal medicines. Exotic plant species are now regarded as an important component of traditional pharmacopeia in many developing countries (Bennett and Prance 2000;Alencar et al 2010Alencar et al , 2014Borokini and Babalola 2012;Maroyi 2018;Semenya and Maroyi 2018;Sladonja et al 2018).…”

African Traditional Medicine: South African Perspective

“…Medicinal plants used as ATM by THPs and communities for the treatment of various conditions including diabetes mellitus [92], cancer [93], asthma [39,94]), tuberculosis [95], for use by HIV infected persons [96] and mental disorders [39] have been compiled and listed through many ethnobotanical studies. As an example, some of the plants used for diabetes mellitus, such as Aloe ferox, have also been investigated scientifically for anti-diabetic properties.…”

“…Cannabis has been reported for use as TM for various conditions including diabetes mellitus [92], cancer [93], asthma [39,94], tuberculosis [95], for use by HIV-infected persons [96] and other conditions [39]. It is used as a decoction or infusion, alone or mixed with other herbs and taken daily as a preventative medicine, and it would be obtained from THPs [39,94]. The legalisation certainly provides an environment for continued use of the plant as ATM and obligates that more research should be done to explore further benefits of medicinal cannabis.…”

Maerua juncea Pax and M. schinzii Pax (Capparaceae): A comparative analysis of their ethnobotany and ethnomedicinal uses

“…The leaves, roots, stems or whole plant parts of both species are used as sources of good luck or protective charm against evil spirits or traditional medicines for body weakness, fatigue and heart problems (Palmer and Pitman, 1972;Semenya and Maroyi, 2018). The leaves, roots, stems or whole plant parts of M. juncea and M. schinzii are mainly used as protective charm and tonic, and traditional medicines for fever, heart problems, headache, ear-ache, skin disorders, fatigue and respiratory problems ( Figure 2).…”