Table 7 Reported combinations of various plant species in treating infections

1.

Peltophorum africanum, stem bark

A handful of Elephantorrhiza burkei roots, Cassia abbreviata stem bark, three nodes of Cissus quadrangularis

Dropsy and other STIs on a patient without sores

The mixture is cooked in 2 L of tap water in a clay pot and the patient have to inhale the heat coming out of pot for three consecutive days.

2

Elephatorrhiza elephantina, roots

A handful of Jatropha zeyheri root bark.

Eye infections

The two plant specimen are immersed in about 500 mL water and the resulting solution is used to wash eyes until healed.

3.

Melia azeadarach,

Leaves

A handful of Carpobrotus eludis leaves and Catharanthus roseus leaves

Shingles

The leaves of the three plant species are chopped and added into a bath with mild water and the patient is washed for three consecutive days, three times a day or until the reddishness subsides.

4.

Cassia abbreviata,

stem bark

A handful of Elephantorhiza burkei roots and Catharanthus roseus roots

Generally used to treat sexually transmitted infections.

The mixture is cooked in 1 L tap water and a full cup is taken orally, along a ground Peltophorum africanum stem bark, until the infection heals completely.

5.

Cassia abbreviata, Stem bark

A handful of Blepharis diversispina roots, Elephantorrhiza burkei roots, Jatropha zeyheri roots, Cissus quadrangularis and Peltophorum africanum stem bark

Generally used to treat sexually transmitted infections.

The plant materials are cooked in a 2 L water and half a cup of the resulting solution is drunk three times a day until the infection heals completely.

6.

Cassia abbreviata, Stem bark

Pollichia campestris roots, “Matshilana” roots, Waltheria indica roots and a handful of the “Pitsa ya badisha” bulb

Sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic infections.

The plant materials are cooked in about 3 L water and two cups are taken daily

7.

Punica granatum,

Roots

Hapargophythum procumbens roots, Waltheria indica roots

Diarrhoea

The mixture is cooked in a 3 L bottle, and one cup is taken along the dried and ground fruit powder from Punica granatum.

8.

Waltheria indica,

Roots

A handful of Senna italica roots, Ipomoea albivenia, Hapargophythum procumbens, Peltophorum africanum stem bark and one small cut of Cissus cornifolia bulb

Infertility

The mixture is cooked in a 2 L tap water and half a cup of the resulting tea like solution is drunk twice a day, treating infertility.

9.

Waltheria indica, Roots

A handful of various Solanum species, Geigeria aspera and Senna italica roots

Stomach aches and diarrhoea

The mixture is cooked in 2 L tap water and half a cup of the resulting solution may be drunk as often as possible, until the condition is treated.

10.

Grewia flavescens, roots

A handful of Waltheria indica roots, Pterodiscus kellerianus roots, “Matshilana” roots, Senna italica roots and any three different Solanum species roots

New born meal that strengthen the immunity and general growth of new born babies.

The plants are cooked in a 3 L tap water and the resulting solution is generally called ‘disha’ and is sucked by babies in a milk bottle.

11.

Ipomoea bolusiana, bulb

A handful of and Cissus cornifolia and Pollichia campestris.

Foot ache

The mixture is cooked in a 3 L clay pot, inhaled while still hot. When the heat cools off, the resulting mixture is poured into a bin and then used to wash the legs. The procedure is only done in the evening or during the night, once a day until the pain and infection heals.

12.

Schotia brachypetala.

A handful of Psidium guajava roots and Dovyalis spp

Diarrhoea

The plant materials are cooked in a 2 L water and a full cup of the resulting solution is reacted with half a spoon of ground seeds of Punica granatum. The solution is mixed and then taken orally three times a day until diarrhoea subsides.