Table 1 Medicinal plants (53 spp.) used in the Canhane village (2007- 2008)
Scientific name* | Local and Common name | Habit | Part used | Main Diseases | Administration Route | Method of preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acanthaceae | ||||||
Blepharis diversispina (Nees) C.B. Clarke | Nchachacha wa mananga Velvet bushwillow | Sub-shrub or Herb | Fruits | Hemorrhoids | Topic | Burning and grinding |
Cough | Oral | Grinding and maceration | ||||
Roots | Hemorrhoids | Topic | Burning and grinding | |||
Seeds | Wounds | Topic | Burning and grinding | |||
Fontanel hardening | Topic | Burning and grinding | ||||
Aloaceae | ||||||
Aloe marlothii A. Berger | Mhanga Flat-flowered aloe, Mountain aloe | Herb | Leaves (sap) | Biliary disorder; Malaria | Oral | Direct |
Wounds | Topic | Direct | ||||
Roots; Leaves | Toothache | Oral | Direct; Decoction | |||
Liver disorder | Oral | Decoction | ||||
Aloe zebrina Baker | Ximhangani Small maculate aloe | Herb | Leaves (sap) | Eye treatments | Eyewash | Direct; Maceration |
Wounds | Topic | Direct | ||||
Roots | Liver disorder | Oral | Decoction | |||
Amaryllidaceae | ||||||
Crinum stuhlmannii Baker | Khonwua Candy-striped crinum | Herb | Stem | Swellings | Topic | Decoction |
Anacardiaceae | ||||||
Lannea schweinfurthii (Engl.) Engl. | Xivombo nkanyi, xihumbunkany, munganikomo False marula | Tree | Bark | Anemia; Diarrhea; Stomach disorders | Oral | Decoction |
Stem | Malaria | Oral | Decoction | |||
Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. | Nkanyi Marula | Tree | Bark | Anemia | Oral | Infusion |
Diarrhea; Stomach disorders | Oral | Scraping and decoction | ||||
Hemorrhoids | Topic | Decoction and vapors; Scraping | ||||
Stem | Anemia | Oral | Maceration | |||
Apocynaceae | ||||||
Sarcostemma viminale (L.) R. Br. | Neta, netha Caustic vine | Herb (succulent) | Root | Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction |
Sap | Eye treatments | Eyewash | Direct | |||
Secamone parvifolia (Oliv.) Bullock | Nyokani, nyoka ya yitsongo Milimili | Shrub | Roots | Deworming; Rheumatism | Oral | Decoction |
Epilepsy | Oral | Decoction; Heating; Grinding and water | ||||
Stomach ache | Oral | Crushing and water; Decoction | ||||
Stem; Roots | Varicose veins | Topic | Decoction | |||
Asparagaceae | ||||||
Asparagus africanus Lam. | Kwangwa la tilo Bush asparagus | Shrub | Roots | Stomach disorders | Oral | Decoction |
Whole plant | Stomach disorders | Oral | Grinding and maceration | |||
Balanitaceae | ||||||
Balanites maughamii Sprague | Nulu, nulo Green thorn, Y-thorned | Tree | Roots | Malaria | Oral | Scraping and infusion |
Bombacaceae | ||||||
Adansonia digitata L. | Ximuwa, ximuhu, ximuvo Baobab | Tree | Bark | Debility | Bath | Maceration |
Roots | Diarrhea | Oral | Maceration | |||
Capparaceae | ||||||
Boscia albitrunca (Burch.) Gilg & Gilg-Ben. | Nxunkutso, xikutse, xikutso, xikutsu, xukutsi Shepherd's tree | Shrub or tree | Leaves | Diarrhea; Hemorrhoids | Topic | Crushing and infusion |
Boscia foetida Schinz subsp. filipes (Gilg) Lötter | Xicutso Bushveld shepherds tree, sandveld shepherds, tree smelly shepherds tree | Shrub | Roots | Stomach and kidney purification | Oral | Infusion |
Maerua edulis (Gilg & Gilg-Ben. ) De Wolf | Xikolwa, xikolwe Blue-leaved bush cherry | Suffrutex or Shrub | Roots | Women fertility, | Oral | Decoction; Infusion |
Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction | ||||
Maerua parvifolia Pax | Nongonoko Dwarf bush-cherry, small-leaved maerua | Shrub | Roots | Diarrhea; Stomach ache and purification | Oral | Decoction |
Celastraceae | ||||||
Loeseneriella crenata (Klotzsch) Wilczek ex N.Hallé | Lorho, nhlohlo Valley paddle-pod | Climbing shrub | Roots | Epilepsy; Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction |
Malnutrition | Oral; Vaccine | Burning and decoction; Grinding; Scraping and burning | ||||
Stem | Antialergic | Necklace | Direct | |||
Gymnosporia heterophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Loes. | Xivambulani, xichangwa, libatzondze Angular-stemmed spikethorn, common spikethorn | Shrub or Small tree | Leaves | Swellings | Oral | Decoction |
Roots | Internal clots | Oral | Decoction | |||
Stabbing heart | Oral; Topic | Burning and grinding; Decoction; Scraping | ||||
Combretaceae | ||||||
Combretum imberbe Wawra | Mondzo Leadwood | Shrub or tree | Bark | Toothache | Oral | Decoction |
NA | Stomach ache | Oral | Burning and watering | |||
Terminalia sericea Burch. ex DC. | Nsunsu, nkonola, kondla, mogonono Silver cluster-leaf, silver terminalia | Tree | Branches (bark) | Burns; Wounds | Topic | Drying and grinding |
Leaves | Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction | |||
Roots | Diarrhea | Oral | Decoction | |||
Burns; Wounds | Topic | Drying and grinding; Scraping | ||||
Cucurbitaceae | ||||||
Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex Naudin | Dema | Herb | Roots | Appendicitis; Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction |
Cucumis zeyheri Sond. | Xiyakayani, xihakahani, chihacaiane Wild cucumber | Herb | Fruits | Stomach disorders | Oral | Drying and grinding |
Laxative | Enema | Decanting and filtration; Grinding; Maceration | ||||
Leaves | Dysentery; Laxative | Oral | Decoction; Maceration | |||
Dracaenaceae | ||||||
Sansevieria hyacinthoides (L.) Druce | Xikwenga xa kwhati Mother-in-law tongue | Herb | Leaves | Contusions; Hemorrhoids; Rheumatism; Swellings; | Topic | Decoction and vapors; Heating |
Roots | Women fertility | Oral | Crushing and water | |||
Epilepsy | Oral | Decoction | ||||
Ebenaceae | ||||||
Euclea racemosa Murr. | Mulala, nhlangulo Bush guarri, glossy guarri river guarri | Shrub | Roots | Caries; Toothache | Oral | Direct (chewing) |
Wounds | Topic | Peeling and grinding | ||||
Stem | Wounds | Bath | Cutting and water | |||
Euphorbiaceae | ||||||
Acalypha indica L. | Ntlambissana Copperleaf, indian nettle | Herb | Leaves | Hemorrhoids | Oral; Topic | Crushing; Decoction |
Intestinal lavage | Enema | Grinding and decoction; Maceration | ||||
Laxative | Oral; Topic | Crushing; Infusion | ||||
Roots | Laxative | Oral | Decoction; Infusion | |||
Stem | Hemorrhoids | Oral | Decoction | |||
Androstachys johnsonii Prain | Cimbiri Lebombo-ironwood, simbi tree | Tree | NA | NA | NA | Kept in secret by Hitch doctors |
Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Voigt | Nsangasi, sangasi Snowberry tree, whiteberry bush | Shrub | Branches | Abcesses | Topic | Heating (with castor oil on top) |
Spirostachys africana Sond. | Xilangamahlo, dzanvori African Sandal, tamboti | Tree | Bark | Debility (HIV-AIDS) | Oral | Decoction (in milk) |
Sap | Ear and eye treatments | Topic | Direct | |||
Stem | Burns, Wounds | Topic | Burning; Grinding; Scraping | |||
Fabaceae | ||||||
Cassia abbreviata Oliv. | Lumanyama Longtail cassia, sjambok pod | Tree | Fruits | Eye treatments | Eyewash | Heating and grinding |
Leaves, roots and stems (mix) | Stomach ache | Oral | Infusion | |||
Roots (bark) | Diarrhea | Oral | Decoction | |||
Stem | Malaria; Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction | |||
Colophospermum mopane (Benth.) Léonard | Gungwa, nxanati, nxanatsi, mesanya Mopane | Shrub or Tree | Bark | Bleeding; Dysentery; Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction |
Leaves | Stomach ache | Oral | Crushing; Direct (chewing); Infusion | |||
Dysentery | Oral | Grinding and water | ||||
Roots | Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction | |||
Stem; Stem and leaves (mix) | Stomach ache; Diarrhea | Oral | Decoction; Infusion | |||
Dalbergia melanoxylon Guill. & Perr. | Xipaladze, xiphalanzi African blackwood | Shrub or Tree | Roots | Toothache | Oral | Decoction |
Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn | Ndzenga, ntsenga, ndzhenga Small-leaved sickle bush | Shrub or Small tree | Roots | Skeletal disorders | Topic; Vaccine | Burning and grinding; Scraping |
Roots (sap) | Laxative | Oral | Direct | |||
Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels | Xivurayi Dwarf elephant's root | Shrub or Sub-shrub | Roots | Anemia | Oral | Cutting and maceration; Decoction and grinding |
Pain killer, Fever | Oral | Decoction | ||||
Guibourtia conjugata (Bolle) J. Léonard | Ntsotso Small copalwood, small false mopane | Tree | Leaves | Stomach disorders | Oral | Crushing and water |
Roots | Intense cough | Oral | Decoction | |||
Malvaceae | ||||||
Gossypium herbaceum L. | Thonji ra khwati, thondji la khwati, nuba Wild cotton | Sub-shrub | Fruits | Ear treatment | Topic | Direct |
Roots | Vomits control | Oral | Decoction | |||
Tonic | Oral | Decoction | ||||
Hibiscus meyeri Harv. | Muxaxayevu, kongowa, kloklonya, muchachanyevo Dainty white wild hibiscus, lebombo hibiscus | Herb | Roots | Tonic, Stabbing heart | Oral | Decoction |
Meliaceae | ||||||
Trichilia emetica Vahl subsp. emetica | Nkuhlu Natal-mahogany | Tree | Branches (sap) | Stomach ache | Oral | Direct (chewing) |
Roots | Contraceptive | Oral | Infusion | |||
Menispermaceae | ||||||
Tinospora caffra (Miers) Troupin | Nyokani ya yikulo, nyoka ya yikulu Orange grape creeper | Creeper | Leaves | Paralysis and Children diseases | Oral | Decoction |
Roots | Epilepsy; Pain killer;; Paralysis and Children diseases; Stomach ache | Oral | Decoction; Infusion | |||
Stem | Epilepsy | Oral | Decoction | |||
Moraceae | ||||||
Ficus sycomorus L. | Nkuwa Common cluster fig, sycamore fig | Tree | Sap | Ringworm | Topic | Direct |
Olacaceae | ||||||
Olax dissitiflora Oliv. | Nkondzomhuntana, ximanimurhi, nondzomuntana Small sourplum, small-fruit olax | Shrub or Tree | Leaves | Wounds | Topic | Grinding |
Ximenia americana L. | Ntsengele, matsengele, tsingela Blue sourplum, small sourplum | Shrub or Tree | Roots | Antiabortifacients, HIV-AIDS, Menstrual cycle, Stabbing heart, Stomach ache, Women fertility, | Oral | Decoction |
Wounds | Topic | Drying and grinding | ||||
Orchidaceae | ||||||
Ansellia africana Lindl. | Phakama Leopard orchid, monkey sugarcane, mopane orchid, tree orchid | Herb (Epiphyte) | Fruits | Cough, Rheumatism | Necklace, Bath | Direct; Heating and grinding |
Fruits and stem (mix) | Cough | Oral | Decoction | |||
Poaceae | ||||||
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. | Rintlhangi, nulangi-rithangi Bermuda grass | Herb | Leaves | Antiabortifacients | Oral | Grinding and water |
Ptaeroxylaceae | ||||||
Ptaeroxylon obliquum Radlk. | Ndzharhi Sneezewood | Shrub or Tree | Sap | Stomach ache | Oral | Direct |
Rubiaceae | ||||||
Gardenia volkensii K. Schum. | Xitsalala Bushveld, savanna or woodland gardenia, transvaal gardenia | Shrub or Tree | Leaves | Stomach ache | Oral | Grinding and water |
Rutaceae | ||||||
Zanthoxylum humile (E.A. Bruce) P. G. Waterman | Manungwani, manongwane, manungwame Hairy knobwood | Shrub | Roots | Mouth anesthetic; Toothache | Oral; Topic | Decoction; Peeling, grinding, drying. and grinding |
Wounds and Burns | Topic | Peeling, grinding, drying. and grinding | ||||
Stem | Pain killer | Vaccine | Burning | |||
Sapotaceae | ||||||
Manilkara mochisia (Baker) Dubard | N'whamba, wambo, n'wambu Lowveld milkberry | Shrub or tree | Roots | Toothache | Oral; Topic | Decoction; Maceration and scrapping |
Ear treatments | Topic | Direct | ||||
Strychnaceae | ||||||
Strychnos madagascariensis Spreng. ex Baker | Nkwankwa Black monkey-orange, hairy-leaved monkey-orange | Shrub or Tree | Roots | Fever | Oral | Peeling and decoction |
Sterculiaceae | ||||||
Hermannia micropetala Harv. & Sond. | Sindzambita, xisindzambita Cactus wine, wild grape | Shrub or Sub-shrub | Fruits | Laxative | Topic | Juice |
Leaves | Laxative | Topic | Juice | |||
Roots | Fontanel hardening | Topic | Burning and oil | |||
Tiliaceae | ||||||
Grewia flavescens Juss. var. flavescens | Nsihana, nsiphane, dzuwa wa mananga Donkeyberry, Sandpaper raisin, Rough-leaved raisin | Climbing shrub | Leaves | Stomach disorders | NA | NA |
Grewia hexamita Burret | Nsihana, nsihani, nsihane, nsiphane Giant grewia, Giant raisin | Shrub or Tree | Roots | Menstrual cycle, Women Fertility | Oral | Infusion |
Sap | Post-delivery cleaning | Oral | Direct | |||
Grewia monticola Sond. | Nsihana, nsihani, nsiphane Grey grewia, Grey raisin, Silver raisin | Shrub or Tree | Fruits | Ear treatments | Topic | Heating and grinding |
Fruits; Seeds | Wounds | Topic | Heating and grinding | |||
Roots | Diarrhea | Oral | Decoction | |||
Stem | Swellings | Topic | Heating | |||
Vitaceae | ||||||
Cissus cornifolia (Bak.) Planch. | Mphesani, mphensana Ivy-grape | Shrub or Tree | Roots | Burns; Wounds | Topic | Crushing |
Cissus quadrangularis L. | Covoloti, Covoluti Cactus vine, wild grape | Creeper (succulent) | Roots | Ear treatments | Topic | Warming and squeezing |
Sap | Ear treatments; Wounds | Topic | Direct | |||
Seeds | Antidote; Wounds | Topic | Grinding | |||
Stem | Sprains; Swellings | Topic | Heating | |||
Cough | Oral | Cutting and decoction | ||||
Antidote; Wounds | Topic | Crushing and water |