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Traditional medicine used in Grahamstown as an alternative to western medicine.
Grahamstown is a town that is located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The town has an estimated population of 125 000, however, there is also a record of an estimated 77% of unemployed people in that town. Thus, most people do not have access to hospitals hence they use traditional plants and weeds as an alternative to curing their illnesses. [1]
The plants used as traditional medicine.
''Cannabis sativa'' (intsango). These fresh leaves are made into decoction that is taken three times a day to treat asthma, it is also used a steam. In other parts of South Africa it is used to cure bronchitis, headaches, labour pains and hypertension.[2]
Carduus tenuiflorus (uMhlakavuthwa). The plant is used to extricate poison or diseases from a sick person. It is believed the plant sucks out the cause of the illness in itself.
Datura stramonium ( uQhwangu-qhwangu). Fresh leaves from this plant are used as a bandage that soothes pain and swelling, also used as an antiseptic after circumcision. With the latter, the plant is only used once, it should not be used repetitively as it can be very harmful due to its potency. The fresh leaves are also applied on boils twice a day.
Emex australis (inkunzane). This root is used on infants suffering from restlessness or constipation. It is used as a root decoction. Adults also use the decoction to treat constipation.
Galenia secunda. It is used to treat kidney pains in adults. The root is mixed with the roots of emex australis (inkunzane). Two teaspoons of the decoction are taken twice a day. It is also administered to babies with colic using two drops a day.
Lantana camara (iqunule). It is used to treat back/ abdominal pains. The roots are boiled in water and drunk as tea twice a day. Also, it is used to treat gonoccal infection and urinary problems caused by sexual intercourse.
Opuntia ficus- indica (itolofiya). It is used to treat sores between toes and the fingers, these sores are caused by igazi elimdaka (dirty blood). These toes tend to become swollen and ooze pus. The fresh leaf is baked in an open fire, the inner jelly is then used to apply on the sores.
Rumex sagittatus (ibhathatha. The root infusion is put in cold water and used as a body wash. It is used to cleanse the body of misfortunes and evil.
Schinus molle (ipepile). The leaf decoction is taken orally to treat fever and influenza. The leaves are added to boiling water and the steam used to treat fever.
Anredera cordifolia (idlula). The plants’ leaves are crushed and applied on swollen feet whose cause is attributed to poor blood circulation. It is also used to treat kidney or liver problems. The leaves’ sap is then used to treat rash that is caused by one’s contact with dirty water. [3]
Araucaria bidwillii (indiyandyiya). This is used to treat amenorrhea caused by congenital problems, tuberculosis and malnutrition. The bark is grated and one tablespoon of the remains is mixed with 750ml of cold water. The mixture is taken orally once a day.
Araujia sericifera (iquwa). It is used to treat amafufunyana,[4] amafufunyana is described as an extreme form of depression coupled with psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hysteria, violent outburst and suicide ideations. The roots are mixed with other medications to treat amafufunyana. [5]
Argemine mexicana (ikhakhakhakha). This root decoction is mixed with the roots of the rubus pinnatus (iqunube). It is administered through the use of an enema to cure kidney pain. The mixture should be used immediately as if left to stand for long it becomes harmful.
Bidens pilosa (umhlabangubo). It is used to treat infertility in women. The roots are cleaned, boiled in water then taken orally. Also, it is used to wash one’s body after the leaves have been soaked overnight in the bathing water. Thus bathing water is believed to protect one from evil spirits (imoya emdaka). [6]
See More
External Link
https://www.leafscience.com/2017/08/28/can-marijuana-help-treat-asthma/
Reference.
- ^ Dold, A. P.; Cocks, M. L..2000.The medicinal use of some weeds, problem and alien plants in the Grahamstown and Peddie districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.http://www.ethnopharmacologia.org/prelude2016/pdf/biblio-hd-27-dold.pdf
- ^ Dold, A. P.; Cocks, M. L..2000.The medicinal use of some weeds, problem and alien plants in the Grahamstown and Peddie districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.http://www.ethnopharmacologia.org/prelude2016/pdf/biblio-hd-27-dold.pdf
- ^ Dold, A. P.; Cocks, M. L..2000.The medicinal use of some weeds, problem and alien plants in the Grahamstown and Peddie districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.http://www.ethnopharmacologia.org/prelude2016/pdf/biblio-hd-27-dold.pdf
- ^ Dold, A. P.; Cocks, M. L..2000.The medicinal use of some weeds, problem and alien plants in the Grahamstown and Peddie districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.http://www.ethnopharmacologia.org/prelude2016/pdf/biblio-hd-27-dold.pdf
- ^ Kanyiswa G. Mzimkulua and Leickness C. Simbayi. Perspectives and Practices of Xhosa-speaking African Traditional Healers when Managing Psychosis.International Journal of Disability, Development and Education Vol. 53, No. 4, December 2006, pp. 417–431http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10349120601008563
- ^ Dold, A. P.; Cocks, M. L..2000.The medicinal use of some weeds, problem and alien plants in the Grahamstown and Peddie districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.http://www.ethnopharmacologia.org/prelude2016/pdf/biblio-hd-27-dold.pdf