Digestive Disorders
Aloe ferox (Bitteraalwyn, Bitter Aloe, iNhlaba) is one of the best known muthi plants of southern Africa boasting a long history of medicinal and magical use. It is a good addition to an eco-garden.
Tecomaria capensis (Cape Honeysuckle, Kaapse Kanferfoelie, lungana) is used for fevers, pain, sleeplessness, chest ailments, diarrhoea, dysentery, and stomach pains. It also has magical uses and is a popular ornamental plant in eco-gardens.
A condensed Tulbaghia violacea monograph, including its known uses in traditional medicine and its botanical information.
Pelargonium sidoides (Kalwerbossie, Rabassam) is used for gonorrhoea, diarrhoea, and dysentery. They have very dark purple, almost black flowers, that are very unusual.
Agave americana (Blougaringboom, century plant, umhlaba) is a healing anti-inflammatory, diuretic herb with hormonal and insecticidal constituents. It acts mainly on the digestive system and lowers fever by increasing perspiration.
Aloe maculata (Seepaalwyn, Soap Aloe, Icena) has a wide range of uses in traditional medicine for both people and animals. It is also edible and is a good addition to any eco-garden.
Carpobrotus edulis (suurvy, sour fig, ikhambi-lamabulawo) is a popular traditional medicine with a wide variety of applications. It is also edible and is ideal for low-maintenance and water-wise gardens.
Cyclopia genistoides (Gewone Heuningbos, Honeybush) is a popular health and herbal tea which is near threatened due to overharvesting in the wild.
Aloe arborescens (kransaalwyn, krans-aloe, unhlabana) leaf extracts show significant wound healing, antibacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and hypoglycaemic activity.
Portulacaria afra (iNtelezi, Porkbush, Spekboom) is used for sore throat and mouth infections while the astringent juice is used for soothing skin ailments such as pimples, rashes and insect bites. It is a popular ornamental plant.
Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) (Soetdoring, Sweet Thron, umuNga) is the most common and widespread thorn tree (Acacia) in southern Africa. It has a wealth of medicinal uses for people and animals and it is also used magically. The gum is edible.
Tribulus terrestris (Gewone Dubbeltjie, Puncture Vine) is a widely used and popular remedy for eczema, enlarged prostate, reproductive disorders, infertility, and many other ailments.
Gymnosporia heterophylla (Riffelstampendoring, Angular-stemmed Spike Thorn), formerly known as Maytenus heterophylla, has many applications in traditional medicine and it is one of the Top 25 traded plants at muthi markets and shops in its distribution area.
Dombeya rotundifolia var. rotundifolia (Gewone Drolpeer, Common Wild Pear, Nhliziyor) is used medicinally to cure many ailments in southern Africa and other parts of Africa. It is an ideal tree for a small garden.
