Prelude Medicinal Plants Database
Search | Practical Guide | Contact | Authors | DisclaimerReference : HB 61
Author(s) :
Bhat , RB.
Title :
Medicinal plants and traditional practices of Xhosa people in the Transkei region of Eastern Cape, South Africa
Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol. 13 (2), pp. 292-298, April 2014
Reference HB 61 has information about 36 plants :
Acacia mearnsii De Wild.
Official name :
Acacia mearnsii De Wild.
Family :
Fabaceae
Symptoms :
H(104)
Recipes :
H(104) stomachache, small amount of grounded bark of Acacia mearnsii with H20, VO. 3X/day
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
idywabasi (Xhosa)
Acokanthera oppositifolia (L.) Codd
Official name :
Acokanthera oppositifolia (L.) Codd
Family :
Apocynaceae
Synonyms :
Acokanthera venenata auct.
Symptoms :
H(104)
Recipes :
H(104) gastric problems, few washed leaves of Acokanthera oppositifolia are chewed , juice swalowed 2X/day for a week
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
intlungunyembe (Xhosa) Bushman's poison (English)
Acridocarpus natalitius A. Juss.
Official name :
Acridocarpus natalitius A. Juss.
Family :
Malpighiaceae
Symptoms :
H(014)
Recipes :
H(014) skin allergy, handfull of leaves of Acridocarpus natalitius in a bath of cold or warm H2O
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
moth fruit (Xhosa), the binder (English)
Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.
Official name :
Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.
Family :
Apiaceae
Symptoms :
H(051)
Recipes :
H(051) fever, underground stem of Alepidea amatymbica is grated, decoction in milk and flowers, VO. 2X/day for a week
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
iquily (Xhosa), larger tinsel (English)
Aloe arborescens Mill.
Official name :
Aloe arborescens Mill.
Family :
Asphodelaceae
Symptoms :
H(006), H(104), H(113), H(027v)
Recipes :
H(006) constipation, H(104) stomachache, 3 spoons of leaves gel, VO.
H(113) anti-inflamatory, small pieces of leaves are mixed with chichen feed
H(027v) childbirth, leaves mucilage, RNS.
H(113) anti-inflamatory, small pieces of leaves are mixed with chichen feed
H(027v) childbirth, leaves mucilage, RNS.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
ikalene (Xhosa), krantz aloe (English)
Aloe ferox Miller
Official name :
Aloe ferox Miller
Family :
Asphodelaceae
Symptoms :
H(104)
Recipes :
H(006) purgative, H(104) stomachache, 3 leaves of Aloe ferox, RNS.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
ikhala (Xhosa), bitter aloe (English)
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.
Official name :
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.
Family :
Asteraceae
Symptoms :
H(037), H(082)
Recipes :
H(037) cough, H(082) asthma, leaves of Artemisia afra in decoction 3X/day for one week
H(000) enemas stem and root in decoction are taken
H(000) enemas stem and root in decoction are taken
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umhlonyane (Xhosa), wild wormwood (English)
Bidens pilosa L.
Official name :
Bidens pilosa L.
Family :
Asteraceae
Symptoms :
H(113)
Recipes :
H(113) arthritis,1/4 cup decoction of leaves of Bidens pilosa VO 2 X/ day
H(095) leaves and stems used for potherb
H(095) leaves and stems used for potherb
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
inongwe (Xhosa), spanish needles, black jack (English)
Capsicum annuum L.
Official name :
Capsicum annuum L.
Family :
Solanaceae
Synonyms :
Capsicum frutescens L.
Symptoms :
H(051)
Recipes :
H(051) fever, fully mature fruits of Capsicum frutescens are added in a hot cup of tea
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
tshilisi (Xhosa), chili (English)
Chenopodium ambrosioides L.
Official name :
Chenopodium ambrosioides L.
Family :
Chenopodiaceae
Synonyms :
Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants
Symptoms :
H(039)
Recipes :
H(039) insecticide, decoction of crushed seeds of Chenopodium ambrosioides used as insecticide
H(095) young leaves used as wild vegetable
H(095) young leaves used as wild vegetable
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
imbikicane (Xhosa), wild spinach (English)
Gazania krebsiana Less
Official name :
Gazania krebsiana Less
Family :
Asteraceae
Symptoms :
H(055)
Recipes :
H(055) emetic, handfull of leaves of Gazania krebsiana for a decoction, VO.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
matlapaneng (Xhosa), terracotta gazania (English)
Grewia occidentalis L.f.
Official name :
Grewia occidentalis L.f.
Family :
Tiliaceae
Symptoms :
H(004), H(027v), H(033)
Recipes :
H(004) wound, crushed bark of Grewia occidentalis, RNS.
H(027v) childbirth,roots for childbirth, RNS.
H(033) sterility,whole plant used again sterility, RNS.
H(027v) childbirth,roots for childbirth, RNS.
H(033) sterility,whole plant used again sterility, RNS.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umnqabaza, uhlolo (Xhosa),
Gunnera perpensa L.
Official name :
Gunnera perpensa L.
Family :
Gunneraceae
Symptoms :
H(006), H(026)
Recipes :
H(006) constipation, decoction of crushed stems of Gunnera perpensa, VO. 1glass
H(026) menstrual pain, roots décoction, VO.
H(026) menstrual pain, roots décoction, VO.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
iphuzi (Xhosa), river pumpkin (English)
Helichrysum pedunculatum Hilliard & B.L. Burtt
Official name :
Helichrysum pedunculatum Hilliard & B.L. Burtt
Family :
Asteraceae
Symptoms :
H(004)
Recipes :
H(004) circuncision wound, leaves of Helichrysum pedunculatum as dressing to avoid inflammation
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
isicwe (Xhosa)
Hypoestes aristata (Vahl) Sol. ex Roem. & Schult.
Official name :
Hypoestes aristata (Vahl) Sol. ex Roem. & Schult.
Family :
Acanthaceae
Symptoms :
H(001)
Recipes :
H(001) sore eyes, leaf juice of Hypoestes aristata, RNS
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
uhlololwane (Xhosa), ribbon bush (Anglais)
Hypoestes aristata (Vahl) Sol. ex Roem. & Schult.
Official name :
Hypoestes aristata (Vahl) Sol. ex Roem. & Schult.
Family :
Acanthaceae
Symptoms :
V(012)
Recipes :
Vb(012) broken legs of calf, leaf juice of Hypoestes aristata, RNS
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
uhlololwane (Xhosa), ribbon bush (Anglais)
Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. & Avé-Lall.
Official name :
Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. & Avé-Lall.
Family :
Hypoxidaceae
Symptoms :
H(037), H(078)
Recipes :
H(037) tuberculosis, H(078) cancer, RNS of roots tuber of Hypoxis hemerocallidea, VO. For a period of 4-8 weeks
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
ixonyi (Xhosa), star flower
Mentha longifolia (L.) L.
Official name :
Mentha longifolia (L.) L.
Family :
Lamiaceae
Symptoms :
H(078)
Recipes :
H(078) cancer, H(151) high blood pressure, repiratory salads of leaves of Mentha longifolia
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
inixina (Xhosa), wild mint (English)
Nasturtium officinale R.Br.
Official name :
Nasturtium officinale R.Br.
Family :
Brassicaceae
Symptoms :
H(045), H(202)
Recipes :
H(045) antiseptic, whole plant of Nasturtium officinale as antiseptic to wash weeping sores
H(202) whole plant to remove spots and blemishes from the skin
H(202) whole plant to remove spots and blemishes from the skin
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umsobo (Xhosa), watercress (English)
Nicotiana glauca Graham
Official name :
Nicotiana glauca Graham
Family :
Solanaceae
Symptoms :
H(018)
Recipes :
H(018) headache, leaves of Nicotiana glauca used as fumitory
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
icuba (Xhosa), wild tobaco (English)
Olea europaea L. subsp africana (P.Miller) P.S. Green
Official name :
Olea europaea L. subsp africana (P.Miller) P.S. Green
Family :
Oleaceae
Synonyms :
Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G.Don) Cif.
Symptoms :
H(151)
Recipes :
H(151) blood pressure, decoction of leaves and fruits of Olea europaea subsp. Africana
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umnquma (Xhosa), wild olive (English)
Oxalis corniculata L.
Official name :
Oxalis corniculata L.
Family :
Oxalidaceae
Synonyms :
Oxalis radicosa A.Rich.
Symptoms :
H(104)
Recipes :
H(104) stomach, juice of leaves of Oxalis corniculata used as purgative
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umuncwane (Xhosa), creeping woodsorrel (English)
Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex. Eckl.& Zeyh.) Walp.
Official name :
Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex. Eckl.& Zeyh.) Walp.
Family :
Rubiaceae
Symptoms :
H(020), H(113)
Recipes :
H(020) snake bite, roots of Pentanisia prunelloides , RNS.
H(113) rheumatism, roots decoction, RNS.
H(113) rheumatism, roots decoction, RNS.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
icigcikamlilo (Xhosa), wild verbena (English)
Phytolacca octandra L.
Official name :
Phytolacca octandra L.
Family :
Phytolaccaceae
Symptoms :
H(004)
Recipes :
H(004) wounds, fresh juice of fruits of Phytolacca octandra, RNS.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
um-inki (Xhosa), pokeweed (English)
Pittosporum viridiflorum Sims
Official name :
Pittosporum viridiflorum Sims
Family :
Pittosparaceae
Symptoms :
H(037), H(139)
Recipes :
H(037) chest, decoction of barks of Pittosporum viridiflorum, VO. 1/4 cup
H(139) aphrodisiac, 2 spoons of root powder a day for one week, VO.
H(139) aphrodisiac, 2 spoons of root powder a day for one week, VO.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umkhwenkwe (Xhosa), cheese wood
Plantago lanceolata L.
Official name :
Plantago lanceolata L.
Family :
Plantaginaceae
Symptoms :
H(018)
Recipes :
H(018) headache, small leaves of Plantago lanceolata inserted in the nostril
H(053) earache, juice of roots
H(053) earache, juice of roots
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
lamb's tongue, ribwortt plantain (English)
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch
Official name :
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch
Family :
Rosaceae
Synonyms :
Amygdalus persica L.
Symptoms :
H(001)
Recipes :
H(001) sore eyes, decoction of a handfull of leaves of Prunus persica in 2 liters of H20. The filtered liquid is used
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
ipesika (Xhosa), peach (English)
Ricinus communis L.
Official name :
Ricinus communis L.
Family :
Euphorbiaceae
Symptoms :
H(013), H(104)
Recipes :
H(013) boils, crushed leaves of Ricinus communis in H2O used to wash boils
H(104) stomach ache, fresh leaves of Ricinus communis are grounded and mixed with H2O. VO (50 ml)
H(104) stomach ache, fresh leaves of Ricinus communis are grounded and mixed with H2O. VO (50 ml)
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umhlakuwa (Xhosa), castor oil plant ((English)
Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal
Official name :
Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal
Family :
Amaryllidaceae
Symptoms :
V(004), V(117)
Recipes :
Vb(004) underground bulb juice of Scadoxus puniceus used to treat woundw
Vb(117) gall-sickness, handfull of crushed leaves are added to cattle feed
Vb(117) gall-sickness, handfull of crushed leaves are added to cattle feed
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umphompo (Xhosa), paintbrush lily (English)
Schinus molle L.
Official name :
Schinus molle L.
Family :
Anacardiaceae
Symptoms :
H(051), H(103)
Recipes :
H(051) fever, steam bath of leaves of Schinus molle
H(103) toothache, gargle with a decoction of leaves
H(103) toothache, gargle with a decoction of leaves
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
pepper tree (English)
Schistostephium rotundifolium Fenzl ex Harv. & Sond.
Official name :
Schistostephium rotundifolium Fenzl ex Harv. & Sond.
Family :
Asteraceae
Symptoms :
H(012)
Recipes :
H(012) fracture, infusion of stem and leaves of Schistostephium rotundifolium, VO.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
iphungwane (Xhosa)
Solanum aculeastrum Dunal
Official name :
Solanum aculeastrum Dunal
Family :
Solanaceae
Synonyms :
Solanum aculeastrum Dunal var. albifolium (C.H.Wright) Bitter
Symptoms :
H(033), H(181x)
Recipes :
H(033) male impotence, decoction 1 handfull of crushed roots of Solanum aculeastrum in 2 l H2O, VO.
H(181x) umbilical cord, ashes from burns roots, local application
H(181x) umbilical cord, ashes from burns roots, local application
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umthuma (Xhosa), bitter-apple (English)
Sonchus asper (L.) Hill.
Official name :
Sonchus asper (L.) Hill.
Family :
Asteraceae
Symptoms :
H(104)
Recipes :
H(104) chronic stomach ailment, decoction of leaves of Sonchus asper of 2 glass of H2O. To stand for 1 hour. VO
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
irhwabe (Xhosa), corky-bark, monkey-orange (English)
Strychnos cocculoides Baker
Official name :
Strychnos cocculoides Baker
Family :
Strychnaceae
Symptoms :
H(104)
Recipes :
H(104) chronic stomach ailment, bark of grated bark of Strychnos cocculoides mixed in 2 glass H2O. To stand for 1 hour. VO
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
umnonono (Xhosa), corky-bark, monkey-orange (English)
Symphytum officinale L.
Official name :
Symphytum officinale L.
Family :
Boraginaceae
Symptoms :
H(012)
Recipes :
H(012) bone fracture, H(037) bronchitis, pneumonia, leaves of Symphytum officinale, VO. 2X/day for a period of 4 days
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
comfrey (English)
Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg.
Official name :
Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg.
Family :
Asteraceae
Symptoms :
H(126)
Recipes :
H(126) jaundice, H(126) liver diseases, infusion of fresh leaves of Taraxacum officinale, VO.
Region :
South Africa
Country :
South Africa (Transkei)
Vernacular name :
ihlaba (Xhosa), dandelion (English)