Traditions of Africa and Herbs

Taking a look at the homeland Africa, collecting herbs was once a local activity carried out by traditional healers, known as inyangas (herbalists), sangomas (diviners), and Cape “bossiedokter”. Harvesting was governed by age-old codes of practice –“taboos” –that served to balance resources and demand. Now it has become part of the cash economy and wild herbs are regarded as “free for all”. It has been estimated that 80 percent of African plants have medicinal uses, and a very high proportion of people in Africa; some 70-80 percent rely on plants for their health care. There are some 30 traditional practitioners for every qualified doctor. Traditional herb gathering has little impact on populations of wild plants. Commercial collecting can be compared to a swarm of locusts, which damage or kills every specimen in its path. An example is Harpagophytum procumbens, which is now traded worldwide. In 1984 commercial collectors harvested 66 percent of known plants in Botswana for their tubers, a rate that was obviously not sustainable. Local demand can be ruthless, too; Warburgia salutaris, a tree related to Canella winterana, is regarded in Africa as a cure-all, though it is almost unknown elsewhere. A warning of its decline through bark-ringing and the need for cultivation was made in 1946, but only in the 1990s, with extinction looming, has there been any attempt made to protect and cultivate it.

Problems In Conservation

One problem in Africa is that conservation areas and botanical gardens suffer the same fate as wild places, with declining medicinal plants. Cultivation of herbs in Africa is also displeased by low prices and poverty, which makes it almost impossible to cultivate them as cheaply as they can be collected. There is also a widespread belief that cultivated plants have no power. As a result, most African herbs still come from the wild, and it is only in extremis, when stocks are so depleted, that those concerned, collectors, users, administrators, and scientists, discuss the problems and agree to strategies to conserve through cultivation.

Traditional Collector

The modern “witch doctor” protects supplies of wild herbs for medicines in the same way as his predecessors did. Traditional collecting is restricted to ensure plants have time to recover and reproduce for future supplies.

Aloe Plant

Aloes are a common feature of African landscapes. There are hundreds of different species, and most have medicinal uses. The southern Cape area was once well known for Cape aloes, extracted from Aloe ferox, first exported in 1761.

Know your herbs and their health value. The chart below covers major herbs for the region of Africa.

Major Herbs Of Africa

Major Herb Of The Region	Health Uses
Agathosma species (BUCHU) Versatile aromatic herbs.	Popular in teas for minor ailments, and as insect repellants.
Artemisia afra (WILDE ALS, WILD WORMWOOD)	A favorite African remedy for bronchial and skin complaints.
Aspalathus linearis (ROOIBOS)	Desert shrub made into a tea by the Hottentots, now a major crop for caffeine-free drinks.
Catharanthus roseus (MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE)	Alkaloids for cancer chemotherapy, especially childhood leukemia.
Euphorbia tirucallii (MILK BUSH)	Zimbabwean succulent with acid latex that removes warts, repels mosquitoes, and also yields fuel hydrocarbons.
Harpogophytum procumbens (DEVIL’S CLAW)	A veld plant, valued as a remedy for arthritis and digestive problems.
Hypoxis hemerocalidea syn. H. rooperi (AFRICA POTATO, INKOMFE)	Tuberous grassland species used as a traditional remedy for prostate problems, urinary infections, and testicular cancer. Contains rooperol, which has shown anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-HIV effects in clinical trials.
Pausinystalia johimbe (JOHLIMBE)	The bark of this West African tree contains johimbine, used as aphrodisiac.
Pelargonium species	Favorite ornamental, medicinal, and perfume plants.
Physostigma venenosum (CALABAR BEAN)	Source of physostigmine, an alkaloid used in ophthalmology. Seeds were used in “ordeal by poison”.
Prunus Africana (AFRICAN CHERRY)	Multiple-use tree for local people, now internationally important for bark extracts to treat prostate disorders.
Ricinus communis (CASTOR BEAN)	Originally from East Africa and best known as a purgative. This shrub is now grown worldwide for products in the paint, paper, and fiber industries.
Strophanthus species	Traditionally used as arrow poison, important now as a source of cardiac glysosides.
Tetradenia riparia (IBOZA)	Used to relieve fevers and bronchial infections.
Voacanga africana	Source of drugs used in cerebrovascular disorders.

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The True Healing Powers Of Natural Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables.

Author - Joyce Ray-Loper

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