Useful Indigenous Plants
We are blessed with an incredibly rich local
flora and some 3000 medicinal plants in South
Africa. Local herbs are adapted to local
conditions and therefore are usually very
effective in treating commonly occurring local
complaints. Many indigenous herbs can be
grown easily in your own garden or,
increasingly, products can be bought from
health shops and pharmacies. I have included
some information about some useful
indigenous plants particularly for use over the
winter season. My favourite is Pelargonium.
Available in a number of commercial
preparations, it is a great cough soother and
will shorten the severity and duration of
colds, sore throats, tonsillitis and bronchitis
and is safe for use with children. It even
tastes fairly pleasant! My advice would be to
keep some around the house this winter to
help with the inevitable winter respiratory
infections.
As always, if a problem is severe or lingering
or you are not sure of what to do, consult a
homeopath, phytotherapist or doctor. Also
avoid herbal medicines if you are
breastfeeding or pregnant unless specifically
advised to take something by a registered
professional.
only. Do not take for longer than 2 weeks. Always seek
professional advice for the treatment of serious
problems such as asthma and high blood pressure
Leonotis leonurus
Coughs, colds, influenza, fevers,
malaria, parasitic infections e.g.
Giardia. It is an aromatic bitter
that will stimulate appetite and improve sluggish
digestion, kill intestinal parasites and help colic. It has
analgesic and antimicrobial effects. Can help the
blocked nose and headache accompanying a cold.
Many artemisias are used to help regulate menstruation
and to bring on the period if this is delayed or has
stopped (except if the woman is pregnant).
Artemisias give purpose and focus and help move things
forward. Good for women who have stagnated and
need new energy to move forward in a focussed way.
Lamiaceae
Wild Dagga. Lion’s Ears
Parts used: aerial portions
Uses
External: boils, eczema, itching,
bites & stings, muscular cramps
Internally: coughs, bronchitis,
colds, influenza, fever, asthma;
headaches;
high
blood
pressure; hepatitis.
The plant is sedative & anti-inflammatory like may
members of the mint family.
How to use
Take fresh or dried aerial portions – leaves and flowers.
1 heaped teaspoon dried herb, or 2 of fresh herb, to a
cup of boiling water. COVER and allow to infuse 5 to 15
minutes depending on the hardness of the material.
Adults: Drink up to 5 cups a day, but for short term use
Pelargonium sidoides
Geraniaceae
Rabas. Rabassam.
Parts used: roots
Uses
Inflamed
throats,
colds,
sinusitis, tonsillitis; coughs and
bronchitis. Diarrhoea.
Research shows that this is a very useful plant for
treating common respiratory tract infections in children.
May be useful in elderly persons whose systems are
breaking down with arthritis, low grade inflammation
and infections, poor digestion with tendency to
diarrhoea, low immunity, stagnant blood,
prone to chest infections with bad cough
that lingers and refuses to clear up.
How to use
The best form would be tincture of the
roots, readily available from health
shops, taken in water, or as a cough
linctus. Follow the directions on the pack.
If the problem persists or worsens,
consult a practitioner.
Artemisia afra
Asteraceae
Wilde Als
Parts used: aerial portions
Uses
How to use
Take fresh or dried aerial portions – leaves with young
stems – best harvested when the plant is not in flower.
1 heaped teaspoon dried herb, or 2 of fresh herb, to a
cup of boiling water. COVER and allow to infuse 5 to 15
minutes depending on the hardness of the material.
Adults: Drink up to 5 cups a day, but for short term use
Useful Indigenous Plants
only. Do not take for longer than 1 week. Avoid in
pregnancy.
May also be obtained in tincture form. Dosage
recommendations on the pack should be followed.
Aloe & Bulbine species
Asphodelaceae
Parts used: leaves / leaf
juice
Uses
Apply leaf juice to burns
and scalds, sunburn, bites,
stings, rashes, eczema,
psoriasis. It is cooling and soothing and helps with
healing. Can also be applied to minor cuts and grazes to
promote healing.
How to use
For external use only. Internal use should be avoided
unless under supervision as these plants have
substances called anthraquinones which act as rather
drastic purgatives.
Pick a leaf and squeeze juice directly onto affected area,
frequently. For aloe leaves, split the leaves lengthwise,
then clear juicy material from the centre may be
scraped off. Leaves of any species can be put in a
blender, then strained through
clean cheesecloth and frozen in
cubes for future use of blended
with a neutral base cream (e.g.
aqueous cream) and kept in the
refrigerator. If doing this, add a
few drops of Tea Tree essential oil
to help preserve it but, even then,
this cream will have a limited
storage life. Discard if there is any mould or bacterial
growth or if it smells bad or rancid.