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
- 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.
- Share your three plants in a reply below.
Sutherlandia
Aloe
Bulbine frutescense
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!
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
Ekebergia capensis,
Terminalia sericea,
Harpephyllum caffrum
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.
Lemon Verbena
Calendula
Oregano Oil
I’m adding Mullein, Echinacea, and Comfrey to my own materia medica list because I’m already cultivating them.
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.
Sweet Fern, Winter green, American witch hazel
Aloe
Mint
Ginger
Mint
Chamomile
Artemisia afra
good choices!
Mint
Rosemary
Chamomile
Mint
Aloe vera
Rose Mary
Nettle
Ashwangandha
Ginger
aloe vera
plantain
african ginger
Dandelion
Plantain
Goldenrod
Plantain
Yarrow
Chamomile
Stapelia gigantea
Aloe vera
Cyclopia genistoides
Yarrow
Purslane
Wild lettuce
dandelion
blood root
boneset
Aloe vera
Dandelion
Agapanthus africanus
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.
African ginger
Maroela tree
African patato
Artemisia afra
Sutherlandia frutescens
Tulbaghia violacea
Terminalia Sericea
Tulbaghia Violacea
Tulbaghia Acutiloba
Dandelion
Mint
Yarrow
Dandelion
Plantain
Chickweed
1. Symphytum officinale-Comfrey
2. Zingiber officinale-Ginger
3. Vinca major-Greater Periwinkle
mine are:
1. Ekebergia capensis (Essenhout, Dogplum, Mmidibidi)
2. Datura stramonium (Bloustinkblaar, Jimson weed, iloyi)
3. Leonotis leonurus (wilde dagga, wild dagga)
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 (?)
Aloe arborescens
Scabiosa columbaria – butterflies
Kniphofia uvaria – I love “vuurpyle”
1. Portulacaria afra (iNtelezi, Porkbush, Spekboom)
2. Artemisia afra
3. Aloe vera (Barbados aloe)
1. Siphonochilus aethiopicus – Wild Ginger or African Ginger
2. Agathosma betulina – Buchu
3.Taraxacum officinale – Dandelion
Plantain, Rose and Yarrow.
Artemesia Afra
Calamus
Bulbinella
My three plants will be
Plantain
Dandelion
Mint
Moringa ovalifolia
Mimosa pudica
Agave Americana
Sweet Basil
Lemon Grass
Thyme
1. Wild Ginger | African Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus)
2. Buchu (Agathosma betulina | Agathosma crenulate)
3. Cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens)