Herb Academy

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The Muthi Flora of southern Africa is BIG Business

The Top Traded Medicinal Plants of southern Africa

The trade in the medicinal plants of southern Africa is a vibrant and growing industry. It is an important livelihood option for rural women, and for those involved, it is a major contributor to household incomes. It is valued at R2.9 billion annually in South Africa and at least 133 000 households in South Africa are dependent on this rich floral heritage.

According to Arnold et.al. (2002), the current number of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in southern Africa includes 215 families, 1 240 genera, and 3 689 taxa (species, subspecies and varieties), representing 15% of the regional flora. Of these, 771 taxa are actively traded.

From a family herbalist point of view, having such a large number of muthi flora at our disposal is exciting. Very exciting! But it is also overwhelming. Somehow, one has to whittle the list down to a more manageable size.

We’ve narrow the number down to 125 plants. You can view the list HERE! Enjoy!

The Digital Muthi Flora Inventory

The definitive reference work for every southern African Family Herbalist and Inyanga.

A one-of-a-kind digital inventory of the Muthi Flora of southern Africa. Featuring medicinal and magical plants from the region.

The basic and advanced search facilities will help you find muthi plants to add to your own materia medica. PLUS, you can add a listing to the Expanded Monograph cue.

Visit The Digital Inventory HERE.

Article Archive

You can view the Muthi flora Article Archive HERE!

Take Action

  1. Make a shortlist of three indigenous healing plants to add to your own materia medica. Don’t overthink this. And don’t spend too much time on making the list.
  2. Share your three plants in a reply below.

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  4. Nancy Hillary says

    I’m based in Australia although I lived in SA for 40 years. I’m going to choose common herbs oregano, basil, rosemary, to start with because I use these a lot and because they are available in both countries.

  5. Odette Ninow-Cullen says

    1. Aloe vera (Barbados aloe)
    2. Wild Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)
    3. Red aloe (Aloe ferox)

    I have chosen the 3 above, as they are readily available in my area

  6. Margie Osterbauer says

    I chose three plants that I have grown consistently for years but have done very little with.
    Borage self seeds all over my property. I planted it as a plant that attracts beneficial insects and contributes to pollination. I have used the flowers for garnish. I have recently learned that it is a very good additive to my compost or to a great compost tea.
    Fennel also self seeds and attracts insects. I have only ever just picked to chew on as I walked by it. I did in home child care for many years and all of the children used to ask for it.
    And Balm. I have grown in in pots frequently. My child care play room became a vacation rental for over 5 years. I always left a pitcher of my good well water with a sprig of balm in it. and I have rubbed in in my hands and enjoyed the beautiful aroma.
    All that I chose I already grow and I am excited to study them for the greater value that they offer. It may be too late this year to do a lot with them, but in the spring I will be able to take advantage of them as they grow.

  10. Kathy Dlugolonski says

    So, I’m not in South Africa but western America. Some indigenous healing herbs near me would be rose hips, cat mint, and valerian root.

  13. Jo Bert says

    for my 3 indigenous muthi flora i am choosing: (bear in mind that I am making this comment before looking at the links above – I do have the tabs open and I’m about to read through them)
    Artemesia afra, Plumbago auriculata, and wild dagga.
    I started studying ethnobotany before i found this course and those are three on my list that needs further research and I am particularly interested in their properties!

  14. JR Malan says

    Mimosa pudica (kruidtjie-roer-my-nie, sensitive plant) Uses: convulsions, insomnia, menses, nervousness, palpitations, teething, vermifuge.

    Sutherlandia frutescens (Lessertia frutescens) – Cancer Bush: Uses: Leaves have been traditionally used to treat fever, poor appetite, indigestion,
    gastritis, peptic ulcer, dysentery, cancer, diabetes, colds and flu, cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, kidney and liver conditions, rheumatism, heart failure, urinary tract infections as well as stress and anxiety.

    Aloe ferox Mill or Bitter aloe: Uses: Leaves have been traditionally used for stomach complaints, arthritis, eczema, conjunctivitis, hypertension and stress. They are also used to treat skin irritations and bruises

  16. Tiffany Hirschler says

    I wasn’t sure if you wanted three from the Africa list or from my area so I’ll give both.
    From africa-Ekebergia capensis.
    Mimosa pudica.
    Agave americana.
    And from my area-
    Mullien.
    Plantain.
    Purslane.

  19. Cat Prosje says

    The three herbs I need to include within my materia medica are Nepeta Cataria (catnip); Valeriana Officinalis (valerian) and; Verbena Officinalis (vervain). These three herbs are used in the treatment of acute stress.

  33. Charlette Barr says

    I would like the
    Ekebergia capensis ( dogplum) – for respiratory issues
    Harpephyllum caffrum ( wild plum) – for sprains and fractures
    Vachellia karroo ( sweet thron) – for digestive issues.

  40. Momley Amushendje says

    mine are:

    1. Ekebergia capensis (Essenhout, Dogplum, Mmidibidi)
    2. Datura stramonium (Bloustinkblaar, Jimson weed, iloyi)
    3. Leonotis leonurus (wilde dagga, wild dagga)

  41. Trixie van Niekerk says

    I already have the following:

    Aloe vera
    Moringa ovalifolia
    Ruta graveolens
    Artemisia afra
    Sceletium

    I need to get Aloe Ferox – not quite sure if the one in my garden is a Ferox (?)

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