The changing geography of traditional medicine: Urban herbalism on the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Current perspectives on an emerging formal natural products sector in South Africa

“…Important studies documenting the medicinal plant trade in KwaZulu-Natal include publications by Cunningham (1988), Mander (1998), Mander et al (1998) and the recent report by Mander and McKenzie (2005). Dauskardt (1990Dauskardt ( , 1991 examined the significance of herbal products in the urban setting of the Witwatersrand (Gauteng Province). This was subsequently followed by an analysis of the trade of medicinal plants and plant parts at the Johannesburg medicinal market (Williams et al, 1997).…”

Effect of storage on the chemical composition and biological activity of several popular South African medicinal plants

“…The amount of plant material traded in KwaZulu-Natal is estimated at 4500 tonnes/year (Cunningham, 1988;Meyer et al, 1996;Mander, 1997). More than 500 species are reported to be traded in Witwatersrand markets (Dauskardt, 1990;Williams, 1996). These independent studies indicate that the plants traded in these two major geographical regions are similar.…”

“…It is estimated that 27 million South Africans utilise traditional herbal medicines from more than 1020 plant and 150 animal species. Approximately, 450 plant species are sold in large volumes in markets (Dauskardt, 1990;Meyer et al, 1996;Williams, 1996;Mander, 1997). Nine plant species make up approximately one-fifth of the traditional medicinal plant market in KwaZulu-Natal (Mander, 1997).…”

Application of Diversity Indices to Appraise Plant Availability in the Traditional Medicinal Markets of Johannesburg, South Africa

“…The Witwatersrand emerged from a small mining town in the 1880s and labour for the mines were provided by mainly rural people in the migrant labour system. The ensuing rural-urban oscillation of Black labour from around the country enhanced the introduction of activities related to Black 'rural' culture (Dauskardt 1990(Dauskardt , 1991. Traditional herbalism was incorporated into the developing urban mine culture to meet the needs of both the Black migrant labourers and the rapidly expanding, permanent urban population for traditional medicine (Dauskardt 1991).…”