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March 16, 2020

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.
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  1. Brogan Mulder says

    September 21, 2021 at 11:28 am

    Sunflour / also microgreens
    Sage
    Chamomile

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  2. Charis Parks says

    September 9, 2021 at 10:49 am

    Aloe arborescens, Tribula terrestris and Datura

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  3. Lynette Barkhuizen says

    September 7, 2021 at 8:40 pm

    I’m going to look at Pelargonium, Eucalyptus and Aloe ferox.

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  4. Nancy Hillary says

    September 6, 2021 at 12:47 am

    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.

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  5. Odette Ninow-Cullen says

    September 5, 2021 at 10:40 am

    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

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  6. Margie Osterbauer says

    September 3, 2021 at 12:58 am

    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.

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  7. Jessica Austin says

    August 26, 2021 at 10:07 pm

    My 3 favorite plants I grow are mullein, lemon balm, and oregano.

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  8. Angela Burke says

    August 19, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    I am in Norhtern Michigan. Some indigenous plants in our area are…
    Yarrow
    Broadleaf Plantain
    Wild Carrot

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  9. kayla aldoff says

    August 18, 2021 at 10:37 pm

    I am in western Canada, so my indigenous plants are completely different from those listed.
    1. plantain
    2. chickory
    3. fireweed

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  10. Kathy Dlugolonski says

    August 11, 2021 at 5:09 am

    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.

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  11. Murendeni Nedzamba says

    August 6, 2021 at 7:53 am

    Aloe forex
    Blumbago
    Mimosa piduca

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  12. Matie vdW says

    July 27, 2021 at 7:07 pm

    Sutherlandia
    Aloe
    Bulbine frutescense

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  13. Jo Bert says

    July 27, 2021 at 6:38 pm

    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!

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  14. JR Malan says

    July 26, 2021 at 5:31 pm

    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

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  15. Sally Scarbrough says

    July 25, 2021 at 5:19 am

    Ekebergia capensis,
    Terminalia sericea,
    Harpephyllum caffrum

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  16. Tiffany Hirschler says

    July 23, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    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.

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  17. Rachel Letze says

    July 18, 2021 at 1:54 am

    Lemon Verbena
    Calendula
    Oregano Oil

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  18. Terri Martinez says

    July 16, 2021 at 3:22 am

    I’m adding Mullein, Echinacea, and Comfrey to my own materia medica list because I’m already cultivating them.

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  19. Cat Prosje says

    July 10, 2021 at 11:41 pm

    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.

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  20. Maureen David says

    July 2, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    Sweet Fern, Winter green, American witch hazel

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  21. Dominique Fourie says

    June 19, 2021 at 7:16 am

    Aloe

    Mint

    Ginger

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  22. Elsa du Preez says

    June 16, 2021 at 3:06 pm

    Mint
    Chamomile
    Artemisia afra

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    • Jo Bert says

      July 27, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      good choices!

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  23. Asian Carter says

    June 16, 2021 at 3:28 am

    Mint
    Rosemary
    Chamomile

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  24. Alice Nabbumba says

    June 11, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    Mint

    Aloe vera

    Rose Mary

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  25. Cindy Scharrighuisen says

    June 9, 2021 at 4:31 pm

    Nettle
    Ashwangandha
    Ginger

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  26. Kidi Obajuwana says

    June 8, 2021 at 1:22 pm

    aloe vera
    plantain
    african ginger

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  27. Megan Martin says

    June 6, 2021 at 10:02 pm

    Dandelion
    Plantain
    Goldenrod

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  28. Crystal Cook says

    June 4, 2021 at 3:47 am

    Plantain
    Yarrow
    Chamomile

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  29. Adel Botha says

    June 1, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    Stapelia gigantea
    Aloe vera
    Cyclopia genistoides

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  30. leah Renfro says

    May 31, 2021 at 4:36 am

    Yarrow
    Purslane
    Wild lettuce

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  31. valerie moore says

    May 30, 2021 at 3:59 am

    dandelion
    blood root
    boneset

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  32. Vicky killian says

    May 27, 2021 at 10:53 pm

    Aloe vera
    Dandelion
    Agapanthus africanus

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  33. Charlette Barr says

    May 21, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    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.

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  34. Nelia Eloff says

    May 20, 2021 at 8:47 pm

    African ginger
    Maroela tree
    African patato

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  35. Ilkin Telli says

    May 14, 2021 at 11:37 am

    Artemisia afra
    Sutherlandia frutescens
    Tulbaghia violacea

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  36. Kristin Jaeger says

    May 3, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    Terminalia Sericea
    Tulbaghia Violacea
    Tulbaghia Acutiloba

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  37. Michelle Redman says

    May 2, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Dandelion
    Mint
    Yarrow

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  38. Susan Messick says

    April 24, 2021 at 10:48 pm

    Dandelion
    Plantain
    Chickweed

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  39. Lori Edwards says

    April 11, 2021 at 5:06 am

    1. Symphytum officinale-Comfrey
    2. Zingiber officinale-Ginger
    3. Vinca major-Greater Periwinkle

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  40. Momley Amushendje says

    April 5, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    mine are:

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

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  41. Trixie van Niekerk says

    April 3, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    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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  42. Inge van Niekerk says

    April 3, 2021 at 12:44 pm

    Aloe arborescens
    Scabiosa columbaria – butterflies
    Kniphofia uvaria – I love “vuurpyle”

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  43. Fanie Vorster says

    February 19, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    1. Portulacaria afra (iNtelezi, Porkbush, Spekboom)
    2. Artemisia afra
    3. Aloe vera (Barbados aloe)

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  44. Dion Le Roux says

    February 18, 2021 at 1:58 pm

    1. Siphonochilus aethiopicus – Wild Ginger or African Ginger
    2. Agathosma betulina – Buchu
    3.Taraxacum officinale – Dandelion

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  45. Jennifer Dombal says

    February 17, 2021 at 1:47 am

    Plantain, Rose and Yarrow.

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  46. Matthew Cook says

    February 4, 2021 at 11:28 am

    Artemesia Afra
    Calamus
    Bulbinella

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  47. brijahfarm says

    January 19, 2021 at 5:59 am

    My three plants will be

    Plantain
    Dandelion
    Mint

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  48. Seara Coburn says

    December 29, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    Moringa ovalifolia
    Mimosa pudica
    Agave Americana

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  49. Anne Le Roux says

    December 27, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    Sweet Basil
    Lemon Grass
    Thyme

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  50. tatzy.lee says

    December 14, 2020 at 12:16 pm

    1. Wild Ginger | African Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus)
    2. Buchu (Agathosma betulina | Agathosma crenulate)
    3. Cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens)

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The Budding Herbologist
Module 1 Plan Your Learning Road Map-
Unit 1 Before you begin...
Unit 2 The Three Most Important Pages
Unit 3 Commenting and Asking Questions
Unit 4 How To Earn Seeds (Learning Credits)  - Preview
Unit 5 Four Popular Herbalist Learning Journeys  - Preview
Unit 6 Plan Your Personal Learning Road Map  - Preview
Unit 7 Disclaimer  - Preview
Module 2 Materia Medica-
Unit 1 Start Your Own Materia Medica
Unit 2 Sample Completed Monograph
Unit 3 Prescribed Textbooks (They are all free)
Unit 4 The Muthi Flora of southern Africa is BIG Business  - Preview
Unit 5 Meet The Medicinal Plant Families of southern Africa
Unit 6 Hypoxidaceae (Star Lilies)
Unit 7 Is it safe to use comfrey?
Unit 8 The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published
Unit 9 The Muthi Flora of southern Africa: Facebook Group  - Preview
Module 3 Herbal Therapeutics-
Unit 1 The Battle for the Body
Unit 2 Health, Your Birthright
Unit 3 The Irony of the "No-Result" Result in Herbal Medicine  - Preview
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