The role of ‘African Chemists’ in the health care system of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Cocks, Michelle; Dold, Anthony P.

doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00050-2

Cited by 50 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Hence, treatment of disorders in Trinitario ethnomedicine is influenced by both aetiology and symptoms. These observations are in accordance with the well-established fact that in many indigenous societies there exists a clear distinction between shamans, who heal spiritual and psychosomatic disorders, and herbalists, who use empirical medicine, including medicinal plants ( [Santamaria, 1994], [Alexiades, 1999], [Bourdy et al, 2000], [Bourdy et al, 2004], [Chaumeil, 2000], [Cocks and Dold, 2000] and [Lenaerts, 2006]). The practice of sobandero is part of a long-standing healing tradition among Mojeños.…”

Section: A Brief Overview Of the Trinitario And Yuracaré Ethnomedicalsupporting

confidence: 78%

Ethnomedicinal practices and medicinal plant knowledge of the Yuracarés and Trinitarios from Indigenous Territory and National Park Isiboro-Sécure, Bolivian Amazon

Thomas

Semo²,

Morales³

et al. 2011

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

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Aim of the studyWe investigated the ethnomedical practices and knowledge of medicinal plant and fungus species of contemporary Yuracaré and Trinitario ethnic groups from Indigenous Territory and National Park Isiboro-Sécure (TIPNIS), located in the Bolivian Amazon region. Our aim was to identify the culturally most significant medicinal plant families, growth forms and species, as well as to assess the current state of knowledge regarding the bioactivity of the most important species, based on available literature data. Materials and methodsMedicinal plant and fungus species were inventoried during homegarden and swidden sampling, walk-in-the-woods and transect sampling. Data on medicinal uses were obtained from 12 Yuracaré and 14 Trinitario participants. ResultsWe commence by providing a brief overview of Yuracaré and Trinitario ethnomedical systems, highlighting the important shamanistic component of particularly Trinitario traditional medicine. The rest of the paper is dedicated to an analysis and discussion based on the 349 inventoried medicinal plant and fungus species. Contingency table and binomial analyses of medicinal plants used versus the total number of inventoried species per family showed that several plant families are significantly over (Piperaceae, Araceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae and Siparunaceae) and underused (Chrysobalanaceae, Sapotaceae, Lauraceae, Celastraceae and Annonaceae) in traditional medicine in TIPNIS. Also herbaceous plants are significantly overrepresented in the medicinal plant inventory, which is in line with relevant literature. Our ranking of medicinal species according to cultural significance is based on the Quality Use Agreement Value (QUAV) index we developed and presented in a previous paper. Results indicate that the QUAV index's property to mainly select species that combine multiple ethnomedical uses with high informant consensus, justifies its use as a measure of cultural significance of medicinal plants in TIPNIS. Results of a literature search suggest, on the other hand, that the QUAVs score of a species could also be indicative of its bioactivity. ConclusionsIn addition to the QUAV index's value as a tool for assessing the cultural significance of medicinal species, it might also be useful to identify species with a higher likeliness of being bioactive. Graphical abstract AimIdentify culturally most significant medicinal plant families, growth forms and species of Yuracaré and Trinitario from Bolivian Amazon. Materials and methodsMedicinal species collected during walk-in-the-woods, in homegardens, swiddens, and transects. Medicinal uses recorded from 26 Yuracaré and Trinitario participants. Results• Traditional medicine has shamanistic and empirical components.• New index Quality Use Agreement Value' could be indicative of bioactivity plant.Full-size image (26K)

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Section: A Brief Overview Of the Trinitario And Yuracaré Ethnomedicalsupporting

confidence: 78%

Ethnomedicinal practices and medicinal plant knowledge of the Yuracarés and Trinitarios from Indigenous Territory and National Park Isiboro-Sécure, Bolivian Amazon

Thomas

Semo²,

Morales³

et al. 2011

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

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“…A similar wide distribution including herbs and gripe water (the latter contains sodium bicarbonate and alcohol and is used to relief 'colic' or 'wind' or perceived abdominal pain) was found in a study on the use of non-prescribed medication in the first three months among the Zulus in rural South Africa (Bland et al, 2004) and other studies (Abrahams et al, 2002;De Wet, 1998;Cocks and Dold, 2000;Cocks and Moller, 2002). It is possible that the perceived benefits of Gripe water may be partially caused by the relaxation and sleep-inducing effects of the alcohol (Bland et al, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Use of traditional and complementary health practices in prenatal, delivery and postnatal care in the context of hiv transmission from mother to child (PMTCT) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Peltzer

Phaswana‐Mafuya²,

Treger³

2010

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

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The aim of this study was as part of a baseline assessment in PMTCT in the traditional health sector: a) to determine the views of women who have used the services of traditional practitioners before, during and/or after pregnancy, and b) to conduct formative research with traditional health practitioners (THPs), i.e. herbalists, diviners and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) on HIV, pregnancy care, delivery and infant care. The sample included a) 181 postnatal care clients with a child less than 12 months interviewed at postnatal clinic visits from 20 primary care clinics in the Kouga Local Service Area (LSA), Cacadu district, Eastern Cape, and b) 54 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and 47 herbalists and/or diviners were interviewed from Kouga LSA. Results showed that THP (in particular TBAs and to a certain extend herbalists/diviners) play a significant role in pregnancy and postnatal care, and also with the assistance of delivery. Certain HIV risk practices were reported on the practice of TBAs. THPs also seem to have some role in infant feeding and family planning. THPs should be trained in optimising their services in pregnancy and postnatal care, and preparation for health facility delivery. In addition, they should be trained on HIV risk practices, HIV/AIDS, HIV prevention including PMTCT, infant feeding and family planning.

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“…Up to 700,000 tonnes of plant material is consumed annually with an estimated value of as much as 150 million US dollars per annum. Medicinal plants are often a basic requirement for the treatment of certain conditions irrespective of education and income levels (Cocks and Dold 2000). The use of traditional medicine is not confined to rural, low-income groups, but also prevails in urban areas.…”

Section: Use Of Medicinal Plants In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultivation of Medicinal Plants as a Tool for Biodiversity Conservation and Poverty Alleviation in the Amatola Region, South Africa

Wiersum¹,

Dold²,

Husselman³

et al.

Wageningen UR Frontis Series

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Abstract. This paper describes the assumptions and results of a study to assess whether cultivation of medicinal plants can serve as a tool for combined biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation. The study was carried out in the Amatola region of Eastern Cape, South Africa, where sustained beliefs in medicinal plant use, also under non-traditional conditions, has resulted in an increase in commercial demands. It was based on the assumption of poverty alleviation not only referring to an increase in income and labour, but also an increase in social capital and human dignity. The study assessed the local perceptions of the use and cultivation of medicinal plants and the need for conservation of these plants, as well as the features of already ongoing cultivation practices and options for increased cultivation. It consisted of participatory assessments in three villages involving around 250 persons and participatory trials with 14 rural women selling medicinal plants on urban markets. The study indicated that the growing demand for medicinal plants is related to the great cultural significance attached to medicinal plants. The growing demand has not only resulted in increased hazard for overexploitation of wild plant populations, but also increased interest in cultivation. Several factors need attention in linking of biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation: (a) selection of specific target groups and the identification of the links between cultivation practices and livelihood conditions, (b) role of cultural factors in medicinal plant use and cultivation, and (c) cultivation by local people being not primarily based on local awareness of the loss of wild species, but on local perceptions about financially lucrative medicinal plants. It is concluded that the scope for cultivation of medicinal plants for combined biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation should not be considered light-heartedly. However, the impact can be positive in case cultivation is considered within the context of protecting and strengthening the cultural values of biodiversity and creating a positive attitude towards biodiversity conservation in general.

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The role of ‘African Chemists’ in the health care system of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Cited by 50 publications

References 20 publications

Ethnomedicinal practices and medicinal plant knowledge of the Yuracarés and Trinitarios from Indigenous Territory and National Park Isiboro-Sécure, Bolivian Amazon

Ethnomedicinal practices and medicinal plant knowledge of the Yuracarés and Trinitarios from Indigenous Territory and National Park Isiboro-Sécure, Bolivian Amazon

Use of traditional and complementary health practices in prenatal, delivery and postnatal care in the context of hiv transmission from mother to child (PMTCT) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cultivation of Medicinal Plants as a Tool for Biodiversity Conservation and Poverty Alleviation in the Amatola Region, South Africa

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