Authors: Heather Dugmore; Ben-Erik van Wyk Briza Publications Pretoria, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-9584954-9-3 Soft cover, 21x26 cm, 128 pages, richly illustrated with colour photographs In jeder Hinsicht attraktiv aufgemachtes Buch über die Pflanzen der afrikanischen Heilkunde. In 52 Geschichten werden diese in der traditionellen und modernen medizinischen Anwendung vorgestellt. In this book are fifty-two compelling tales that will lead the reader on a journey of discovery of the African continent. It tracks the ancient grail of traditional African medicine or muthi. The journey takes one year, with one story for each of the fifty-two weeks. Many of the stories inherited through Africa’s compelling oral tradition are between these covers: committed to paper for the first time ever. The ancient African people were the first aromatherapists who well understood the effect of plants on the human body, mind and soul. Innately spiritual, the thousands of lineages of African people across thousands of years have all used plant medicines for healing, always with the blessing of their ancestors. Knowledge of African plant mythology and its associated healing practices is most certainly a grail because on this great continent we call Africa, knowledge has always been an oral tradition. Because it was never written down, thousands of years of healing wisdom and intelligence have been lost in the transference from one generation to the next. This book endeavoures to bring to light the deep history of fifty-two of the thousands of indigenous medicinal plants of Africa, before it is too late. The focus is towards Southern Africa because this region is a hotspot of cultural and botanical diversity. Unlike the healing knowledge of other ancient cultures, such as India or China, little of Africa’s healing history is recorded. As you read the stories about fifty-two of the continent’s prominent indigenous plant cures, the authors hope you, too, will experience some of the magnetism, mystery and wisdom of Africa. They hope it will help you understand a bit more about yourself and about our species: the human being. Heather Inez Dugmore. I am fortunate to have been born an African and to have had the opportunity to grow my Southern African roots. Born and raised in Johannesburg, I moved to the Eastern Cape for my tertiary education, graduating with a journalism degree from Rhodes University in the 1820 Settlers town of Grahamstown where my ancestors once lived. 'We must take root and grow or die where we stand.' my many times great grandfather, Henry Hare Dugmore, who lived in the Eastern Cape, once wrote. I took his advice and took root in this land. Come hell or global warming, this country owns my soul. It is here on the Wild Coast of South Africa that I was called by a san-goma to take shelter in her home. I was a student at the time and intrigued by her tales of mermaids and guiding spirits, but it took a while before I realised the sequent encounters with traditional African healers have been far and wide, and played a guiding role in my previous book, Big Cats of Mala Mala, which includes an exploration of Iions, leopards and cheetah in African healing and mythology. Fortune smiled on me once more and I spent extended periods of time in the legendary Mala Mala Came Reserve, which is one of the best places in Africa to see the big cats. Totem animals in African mysticism, they are flagship species of the continent. From here it was a hop and a jump towards Muthi and Myths from the African Bush. Where to from here? I am still based in Johannesburg but dividing my time between the city and South Africa's vast outback, known as the Karoo. Home here I am writing my next book, a novel, rooted in this and wild natures roam free. Until then, I hope you enjoy Muthi & Myths and the adventures of the mind, body and spirit that it offers. Ben-Erik van Wyk is a professor of Botany at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, where he has been based since 1990. He specialises in plant taxonomy (the naming and classification of plants); as well as ethnobotany and medicinal plants. These interests have taken him to remote corners of Southern Africa, where precious indigenous knowledge is documented in a scientific way to ensure that it will not be lost to future generations. Many of the plant stories recorded in this book came to light during interactions with local people over the last two decades. Ben-Erik was born in the Cape in 1956. His father, Abraham Jacobus (Appie) is an artist and enthusiastic gardener; his mother (Elise Bodley) was a well-known botanical artist. His last school years were spent in the small Karoo town of Calvinia. After studying professional forestry and nature conservation at Stellenbosch University (1976-1979), Ben-Erik completed an M.Sc. degree in Botany at Stellenbosch University (1983) and a Ph.D. at the University of Cape Town (1989). He is active as researcher and has been the promoter of several masters and doctoral students. He derives much pleasure from being part of an inspired and dynamic team of research students and co-workers from various parts of the world. As scientific author or co-author, he is credited with more than 200 research papers in scientific journals, more than 300 lectures at national and international conferences and 11 books. Ben-Erik is married to Mariana van Wyk (a professional botanist) and has a son, Teodor, and a daughter, Signe. In addition to botany, plant photography and gardening, other favourite hobbies include surf angling, wine tasting and travelling. Guardian of the Grail Botanical name: Pelargonium sidoides Common name: Umckaloabo (Zulu) Should you be seeking the Holy Grail, head high into the mountains near Wellington in South Africa's Western Cape and there you will find Parceval; the Guardian of the Grail. The Holy Grail, as the story goes, is said to be the mystic chalice containing the mixture of blood and water that poured from Christ's chest when he was pierced with a sword while being crucified. This liquid is said to have been captured in a chalice and is widely believed that whoever has it in their possession through the ages, inherits the power to perform healing and life-restoring miracles. "What ails you?-" is the first question you will be asked on locating Parceval. Since something ails all of us - be it physical, psychological or spiritual - I am confident you won't be short of a reply. Not to lead you astray at this juncture, it won't be Parceval in person who asks what ails you, but rather horticulturist Ulrich Feiter, who twelve years ago started a medicinal plant farm in the mountains of Wellington, which he named Parceval. "I specialise in extracts of medicinal plants," says Ulrich. "When a large German pharmaceutical company called Schwabe approached me in 1996 to grow Pelargonium sidoides - or umckaloabo (ostensibly the Zulu term for 'heavy cough') - I started cultivating it here in Wellington." The lengthy collaboration between Parceval and Schwabe around this medicinal plant extract -which is widely used today to treat colds, flu, bronchitis and sinusitis - stands out as one of the success stories of an African medicinal plant abroad. Apart from the German market, Ulrich also cultivates Pelargonium sidoides for African-based clients who market it in pharmacies and health stores. Ulrich prefers not to discuss exactly how much of these plants he currently cultivates because competition between medicinal plant producers and distributors is accelerating each year. What is apparent is that Africa has an extraordinarily rich medicinal plant heritage that is only beginning to receive the recognition it deserves. Pelargonium sidoides is a member of the geranium family; it has round, velvety leaves, rich purple flowers and swollen tubers. Its wild populations extend from South Africa's Eastern Cape to the Kingdom of Lesotho. It has been used it for hundreds of years as a curative for coughs, upper respiratory tract irritations, gastrointestinal problems and ear infections. Traditionally it is also used to treat diarrhoea in cattle. It first reached the Western world when an Englishman named Charles Stevens was cured of his tuberculosis when treated in Lesotho with umcka-loabo in 1897. The story goes that Stevens came to Southern Africa because the climate is good for tuberculosis sufferers. During his stay he came across a Basuto sangoma from the Kingdom of Lesotho. The sangoma prescribed a decoction of umckaloabo roots for his condition and he fully recovered. He returned to England armed with this mysterious African remedy - which subsequently gained popularity throughout Europe as 'Stevens's Consumption Cure". Then in 1920, a former missionary doctor, Adrien Sechehaye, who had learned of Stevens's cure, published his medical case studies after successfully treating 800 patients for bronchial problems with a homeopathic preparation of the plant. Apart from its bronchial benefits, Pelargonium sidoides also has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties and it is rich in phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that boost the immune system. Clinical trials have shown that Pelargonium sidoides shortens the duration and reduces the severity of upper respiratory infections. Regarding its tuberculosis-healing properties, only anecdotal evidence exists. Sometimes anecdotal evidence is all that's required to inspire people towards less orthodox cures. It certainly inspired Ulrich who feels he has found his version of the mystic, healing chalice. "Healing starts with feeling compassion for other human beings and then sharing this compassion Ulrich explains. "This is what we at Parceval strive towards. This is our grail." 1. Love and the Leopard Orchid Botanical name: Ansellia africana Common name: Leopard orchid 2. The Invisible-maker Botanical name: Gasteria croucheri Common names: Impundu and bosaalwyn 3. Fire is an Ancient Friend Botanical name: Spathodea campanulata Common name: African flame tree or nandi flame 4. Doorway to the Life Hereafter Botanical name: Boophone disticha Common name: Bushman poison bulb 5. The Knowledge and Wisdom Tree Botanical name: Adansonia digitata Common names: Baobab, muvhuyu (Venda) 6. Aphrodisiac of Hope Botanical name: Nyrnphaea caerulea Common name: Blue water lily 7. The Heartbeat of Africa Botanical Name: Ptaeroxylon obliquum Common names: Sneezewood, umthathe (Xhosa) 8. A Living Fossil Botanical name: Steganotaenia araliacea Common name: Carrot tree 9. Eating, Drinking and Talking Bull Botanical name: Acacia karroo Common names: Sweet thorn; mookana (Northern Sotho); moshaoka (Tswana); umnga (Xhosa); umunga (Zulu); soetdoring (Afrikaans) 10. The Joys of Pregnancy Botanical name: Gunnera perpensa Common names: Ugobho, river pumpkin 11. Magic Carpet Ride Botanical name: Peganum harmala Common names: African rue, wild rue; harmal (Arabic), harmel rue sauvage (French) 12. Awakening the Dead Botanical name: Myrothamnus flabellifolius Common names: Resurrection plant, uvukwabafile (Zulu) 13. A Very Sexy Tree Botanical name: Kigelia africana Common names: Sausage tree; worsboom, muvevha (Venda), umfongothi (Zulu) 14. Toothsticks of the Gods Botanical name: Diospyros lychides Common name: Bluebush 15. African Aromatherapy Botanical name: Agathosma betulina Common name: Round-leaf buchu or boegoe 16. One of the World's Greatest Plants Botanical name: Aloe ferox Common name: Bitter aloe 17. Synergy and the Daisy Herb Botanical name: Osmitopsis asteriscoides Common names: Daisy herb, belskruie (Afrikaans 18. Warding off Evil Botanical name: Dichrostachys cinerea Common names: Sickle bush, Chinese lantern tree, kalahari Christmas tree 19. The Green Muse Botanical name: Artemisia afra Common names: African wormwood, umhlonyane (Zulu), wildeals (Afrikaans) 20. The Marriage Tree Botanical name: Sclerocarya birrea Common names: Marula, maroela, morula (Tswana) 21. The Wild One Botanical name: Prunus africana Common names: Red stinkwpod, inyazangoma- elimnyana (Zulu), umkakase (Xhosa) 22. Eight Days of Healing Botanical name: Lobostemon fruticosiis Common names: Agtdaegeneesbossie, douwurmbos (Afrikaans) 23. Once Upon A Time In Paradise Botanical name: Aframomum melegueta Common names: Grains of paradise, melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Guinea pepper. 24. Seed of Faith Botanical name! Salvadora persica Common names: Mustard tree; toothbrush tree; Pfefferkorn der Bibel (German); khoris (Damara) miswak (Arabic) 25. Guardian of the Grail Botanical name: Pelargonium sidoides Common name: Umckaloabo (Zulu) 26. The Birds' Beer Botanical name: Leonotis leonurus Common names: Wild dagga, wilde dagga (Afri- kaans), utshwalabenyoni (Zulu), umhlahlampetu (Shona) 27. The Shape-Shifter Botanical name: Protea repens Common names: Sugarbush, suikerbos (Afrikaans) 28. The Hoodia Controversy Botanical name: Hoodia pilifera and Hoodia gordonii Common name: Ghaap 29. Too Hot to Lose Botanical name: Warburgia salutaris Common names: Pepper:bark tree, isibhaha (Zulu) 30. Miracle in a Cup of Tea Botanical name: Centella asiatica Common names: Pennywort, gotu kola 31. Dicoma's Shadow Botanical name: Dicoma schinzii Common name: Kalahari fever bush 32. A Mind and Mood Plant Botanical name: Catha edulis Common names: Khat, qat, Bushman's tea 33. Miracle Cure or Marketing Myth? Botanical name: Hypoxis hemerocallidea Common name: African potato or imkomfe (Zulu) 34. The People's Plant Botanical name: Bulbine frutescens Common name: Burn jelly plant 35. Extending the Devil's Claw Botanical name: Harp agophy turn procumbens Common names: Devil's claw7 tloutaxaba (San) 36. Umathunga to a Hippo Botanical name: Euqgmis autumnalis Common names: Pineapple flower; umathunga (Zulu) 37. Air for the Spirits Botanical name; Helichrysum odoratissimufn Common name: Imphepho (Zulu) 38. The Rise and Rise of Rooihos Botanical name: Aspalathus linearis Common name: Rooibos tea 39. Unsung Wonder Bush Botanical name: Sutherlandia frutescens Common names: Cancer bush, gansies 40. No Safety in Numbers Botanical name: Merwilla plumbea Common names: Blue squill, slangkop or inguduza 41. A Very Famous Tea Botanical name: Hibiscus sabdariffa Common names: Hibiscus, red-sorrel, roselle, Jamaica sorrel 42. One-Eyed Honey Botanical name: Cyclopia genistoides Common name: Honeybush tea 43. The Happy Hunter Botanical name: Xysmalobium undulatum Common name: Ishongwe 44. Chewing on Happiness Botanical name: Steletium tortuosum Common names: Kougoed, kanna 45. Worth its Weight in Myrrh Botanical name: Commiphora myrrha Common name: Myrrh tree 46. Unukani Under Siege Botanical name: Ocotea bullata Common names: Black stinkwood, unukani (Zulu) 47. Pure African Potency Botanical name: Pausinystalia johimbe Common name: Yohimbe tree 48. Breast of a White Woman Botanical name: Zanthoxylum capense Common names: Umlungumabele (Xhosa); kleinperdepram (Afrikaans); small knobwood 49. The Wild and Wonderful Olive Botanical name: Olea africana Common name: Wild olive 50. That Darned Elusive Indungulo Botanical name: Siphonochilus aethiopicus Common name: Wild ginger, indungulo (Zulu) 51. It Starts With a Kiss Botanical name: Viscum capense Common names: Litjiestee, voelent (Afrikaans) Cape mistletoe 52. Delightfully Dangerous Botanical name: Coffea arabica Common name: Coffee tree Index Photographic contributions abortifacient 35 abrasions 86 absinthe 56, 57 absinthism 56 Acacia karroo 36, 37 ACE enzyme 117 acne 79 Adansonia digitata 28, 29 addiction 106 addiction therapy 107 addictive 123 adrenaline 123 Adrien Sechehaye 69 Aframomum melegueta 64, 65 Africa 32 African cosmology 17,19 African flame tree 11, 24, 25 African mythology 12, 80, 81 African olive 116 African piano 32 African potato 84, 85 African renaissance 81 African rice 116 African rue 40,41 African traders 58 African world view 12 African wormwood 56, 57 Afrikaans 36 Agathosma betulina 48, 49 Agathosma crenulata 48 agdaegeneesbos 62, 63 aggression 83 air 92 akis 36, 37 alcohol 106 alertness 82,123 Alexander the Great 50 alkaloid 27, 30, 41, 63,106,112, 114 allantoin 63 allergies 79 alligator pepper 64 allopathic medicine 89 aloe 50,51 Aloeferox 50, 51, 86 aloe gel 51 aloe lump 51 Aloe vera 50, 51, 86 altered states 82 Alvaro Viljoen 52 amenorrhoea 35 amphetamine 83 analgesic 89 ancestors 10,18, 83, 92, 93 ancestral calling 17 ancient Greeks 35 Angola 32,100 animal parts 13 Anneline Kriel 36 Ansellia africana 20,21 antibacterial 67, 69, 114 antibiotics 76 anti-cancer 102 antidepressants 42 anti-inflammatory 89, 109,114,115,117,121 antimicrobial 14,45, 109 antioxidant 89, 94,101,102,117, 121 antiplaque 67,114 antiseptic 10, 43, 93,109 antispasmodic 41, 94,117 antiviral 69 anti-witchcraft charms 54 anxiety 85, 96,106,107,113 aphrodine 112 aphrodisiac 30, 31, 58, 59, 64,112 appetite loss 101 appetite suppressant 74, 75 Appie van Wyk 9, 48 Arab traders 122,123 Arabia 82,108,123 Arabic 82 arabica bean 123 aromatherapists 10 aromatherapy 48 aromatic bushes 48 aromatic herb 92,109 aromatic plants 10,49 Artemisia absinthium 56 Artemisia afra 56, 57 arthritis 33 ascorbic acid 101 Aspalathus linearis 94, 95 asthma 31, 34, 71, 96 athletes 112 ayahuasca 41 Ayurvedic medicine 78 babies 94 back pain 89 backache 91 baobab 28, 29 Ba-Phalaborwa people 58 bark 28, 61, 76,110,112,113 bats 29, 45 Battle of Islandwana 22 beer 45, 59, 70 belskruie 52 Benjamin Ginsberg 95 Bible 50, 66, 67 bioscope 27 bird 12, 70, 80 birds' nests 9, 48 bites 70 bitter 96,105,109 bitter aloe 50 bitter tonic 57 black wattle 37 black-shouldered kite 12, 80, 81 bladder complaints 33 bladder infections 117 bleeding 63,121 Blikkies Steenkamp 49, 62 Blixen, Karen 44 blood disorders 39 blood pressure 113,117 blood purification 33 blood-cleaning 119 blue squill 98, 99 blue water lily 30 bluebush 46,47 body temperature 80 boegoe 48 boils 70, 83, 99,101 bokboegoe 49 bones, throwing 18 Boophone disticha 26, 27 borage 63 borage family 63 bosaalwyn 22 bossiest wop 72, 73 botanical knowledge 81 botany 102 Botswana 45 brahmi 78 brassieres 114 breast 44,114 breath-sweetener 64 bronchial complaints 69,118 bronchitis 68, 71, 76 buchu 10, 33, 48,49 buchu brandy 48 buchu, oval-leaf 48 buchu, round-leaf 48 Bulbine frutescens 86, 87 Bulbinella 87 burn jelly plant 86, 87 burns 43, 63, 79 Bushman poison bulb 26, 27 Bushman's tea 82 Bushmen 9,11, 48, 82 caapi 41 cabbage family 66 caffeine 75, 94,113,122,123 calming 92 Cameroon 61,112 camphor 43, 52 cancer 79, 81, 84, 94, 96 cancer bush 71, 96, 97 cannabis 70 Cannabis sativa 70 canoes 45 canvanine 96 Cape Colony 13,102 Cape Dutch 52, 53, 63, 81, 96,121 Cape Gum 37 Cape mistletoe 120121 Capsicum annum 25 Capsicum frutescens 25 cardiac glycosides 105 cardiac troubles 33 Carl Linnaeus 13,102,103 Carl Thunberg 13,102,103,114 carpenter bees 103 carpet 40 carrot 34 carrot family 35 carrot tree 34, 35 cat 83 Catha edulis 82, 83 cathinone 83 Catholic Church 93 cave paintings 50, 51 Cele, Protas 15, 20, 23, 38, 39, 76, 99,118 cell division 79 Centella asiatica 78, 79 Central Africa 112 central nervous system stimulant 113 ceremonial incense 93 cerinus cycad 110 Charles Stevens 69 chest complaints 72, 77,119 chest infections 76 chest pains 60 chewing 82, 83,106 childbirth 91 chili peper 25 China 11 Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics 109 Chinese lantern tree 54 Chinese medicine 53, 78, 79,109 cholesterol 89 Chopi 32 Christ 10, 68, 69,108 Christ child 93 chromosomes 79 cinnamon 50 circulation 79 circulatory ailments 78,101 circumcision wounds 27,101 CITES 61 citrus family 32,115 clarity of thought 82 clinical studies 89 clinical trials 14, 84,112 cocoa 83 Coffea arabica 122,123 coffee 83,123 coffee bean 122 coffee houses 123 coffee tree 122,123 colds 43, 52, 57, 68, 71, 93,101, 118 colic 94,105 colourant 101 comfrey 63 Commiphora myrrha 108,109 Congo 112,123 conjunctivitis 37,101 consciousness 41 conservation 77, 98, 99,107,110, 111,119 constipation 65, 83, 89 controversy 74 corm 84, 85 cosmetics 45 cough medicine 71 coughs 69, 70, 72, 93,101,118 counter irritant 67 courage 63 creative thinking 11 Credo Mutwa 30, 31, 38, 71, 76, 119 Crouch, Neil 23, 98 CSIR 74 cultivation 23, 77,116 culture cure 84, 85 cuts 86 cyanogenic glycosides 61 Cyclopia genistoides 102,103 Cyclopia intermedia 102 Cyclopia subternata 102 Cyclops 103 daisy herb 52, 53 Damara 66 De Materia Medica 50 dead 42 death 27 decongestants 115 deodorant 48 depression 42, 79, 83, 85 devil's claw 88, 89 de-worming treatment 56, 57 diabetes 31, 57, 72, 89, 96 diarrhoea 29, 37, 54, 59, 69, 82, 105,121 Dichrostachys cinerea 54, 55 Dicoma anomala 81 Dicoma capensis 81 Dicoma schinzii 12, 80, 81 digestion 64 digestive 57 digestive system 123 Dioscorides 50 Diospyros kaki 47 Diospyros lycioides 46, 47 disease 93 diuretic 34, 81,123 divination 10, 92 DNA 101,107 domestication 116 doorway 26 dopamine 106 dose 27, 30 douwurmbos 62 dragon's blood 109 DRC 112 dreams 18, 78 drug 83,123 drugs 106 Dutch East India Company 51, 73 dye 47 dysentery 37, 82,105 ear infections 69 earache 55 Earle Graven 107 East Africa 82 eczema 70 Egypt 30,100,101,108 Egyptian lotus 30 Egyptian tombs 116 elephant 118,119 elixir 78 elixir of life 84 Elizabeth Joubert 102 emaciation 83 embalming 108 endurance 42, 82 enema 91 energy 82 enlightenment 79 epilepsy 35, 55, 70,121 erection 113 essential oils 48, 49, 52,108,115 Ethiopia 34, 56, 67, 83,108,122 eucalyptol 43, 52 Eucomis autumnalis 90, 91 euphoric 106 European olive 116 European pharmacopoeias 89 evil 54 evil spirits 10, 93 extrasensory perception 40 eye diseases 41 eye drops 34,101 eye inflammation 101 eye lotion 117 eyewash 55 facial surgery 79 faith 66 Faraday muthi market 12,13, 104,118 fat 48 fatigue 79, 82,123 feathers 80 febrile convulsions 80 Feiter, Ulrich 68, 69 female sterility 25 fertility 58 fertility ceremony 92 fertility rites 58 fever 12, 57, 60, 91, 93, 80, 81,115 fever bush 80, 81 finger millet 116 fire 24, 33 firesticks 24 firewood 37, 55, 73 flatulence 64 flavonoids 121 Flora Capensis 102 flu 52, 57, 68, 71, 96 fodder 37 fossil 34 fossil tree 35 fractures 91, 99 frankincense 10, 50, 93,108 free radicals 101 free-radical-capturing 94 Freud 23 fumigator 93 functional food 75 fynbos 24, 73,102 Gabon 112 gansies 96 gargle 109,117 Garland, Ian 118 Gasteria croucheri 22, 23 gastrointestinal problems 69 gel 86, 87 genital disorders 39 genitals 44 Geoff Nicholls 20, 77, 91, 99 geranium family 68 Gerard 65 Gericke, Nigel 82,107 ghaap 74, 75 Ghana 28, 64 Giess 88, 89 ginger 25 ginger family 64 gingivitis 114 Ginsberg, Benjamin 95 gods 28, 46, 72 gold 10, 93,108 gong stones 32, 33 gonorrhoea 35 good fortune 65 good health 65 goose flesh 80 gotu kola 78 gout 89 grail 68 grains of paradise 64, 65 Graven, Earle 107 Great Flu 115 green pepper 25 green rooibos 94 grief 42 guardian 68 Guinea pepper 25, 64 gum 37 gum resins 108 gum trees 73 gums 109 Gunnera perpensa 38, 39 haemorrage 37 hakeas 73 hallucinogenic 41, 56,113 hangovers 91 happiness 106 harmal 40 harmel 40 harmine 41 Harp agophy turn procumbens 88, 89 head colds 55 headache 33, 65, 71, 93,110,117 healing 62 healing rituals 92 health tonic 121 heartache 42 heartbeat 32,105 heartburn 59 Helichrysum odoratissimum 92,93 Herodotus 108 herpes 24 hibiscus 100,101 Hibiscus sabdariffa 100,101 hiccups 29 high blood pressure 71,117 Himba 48 hippo 90, 91 HIV/Aids 71, 84, 94, 96,110 holism 12 holistic 53 Holy Grail 68 holy incense 108 homeopathic 89 Homo sapiens 13 honey 72 honeybush tea 102,103 hoodia 74 Hoodia gordonii 74 Hoodia pilifera 75 hope 30, 42 horehound, white 71 host plant 120 hot 76 Hubert Kurweil 21 hunger 74, 75, 82 hunter 104 hunting dog 104,112 hunting poison 27 hypertension 83 Hypoxis hemerocallidea 84, 85 hysteria 105,121 Ian Garland 118 icimamlilo 24 illegal harvesting 98 imfe-nkwawu 20, 21 immune booster 84, 96 immune stimulant 51 immune system 69, 71, 81, 89 immune system deficiencies 78 imphepho 10, 92, 93 impotence 41,112,113 impundu 22, 23 imvubu 90 incense 10, 78, 79, 92 India 11 Indian medicine 79 indigenous knowledge systems 75 indungulo 118 infant 12, 80 infertility 35 inflammation 11, 24, 79 infusion 100 inguduza 98 inkomfe 84, 85 insect repellant 48 insect stings 54 insomnia 83, 92 intellectual property rights 74, 75 intoxicant 41 intoxicating 123 invisible 22 inyanga 20, 38, 76,118 Inyanga Zikhaele 118 inyazangoma-elimnyana 60 Iran 66 irritability 113 ishongwe 104,105 isibhaha 76, 77 itching 70 Ivory Coast 65,123 Jamaica sorrel 100 James van Putten 95 Jan Schoeman 121 Jan Smuts 12 Joubert, Elizabeth 102 Kalahari 12, 27, 74, 80, 81, 88, 89 Kalahari Bushmen 26 Kalahari Christmas tree 54 Kalahari fever bush 80, 81 Kalahari koorsbos 80 Kaldi 122 kanna 106 Karen Blixen 44 Karkade 101 Karoo 36, 37, 96, 97,120 Kenya 44,123 keurtjie 97 Kew 73 khat 82, 83 Khoi 13, 48, 95, 96, 97,102 Khoisan 11, 26, 27, 50, 53, 62, 74, 121 khoris 66 Khorixas 66 kidney disorders 96 Kigelia africana 14, 25, 44,45 King Cetshwayo 22 king protea 73 King Ramses II 30 Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens 118 kiss 120 kleinperdepram 114 knowledge 11, 28, 29 koorsbos 80 kougoed 106,107 Kriel, Anneline 36 Kruger National Park 21, 45, 58, 118 Kurweil, Hubert 21 KwaZulu Natal 15 Lake St Lucia 76 Lappiesman 121 laxative 50, 51,101 leather 37 Leipoldt, Louis 95 lemons 33 Leonotis leonurus 70, 71 leopard 20 leopard orchid 14,15, 20, 21 leprosy 78 Lesotho 69, 81 libido 83 life 26, 27 life force 120 life-restoring 68 lightning 119 lime juice 75 limes 33 Linnaeus, Carl 65,102,103 lion's ears 70 lions 70, 71 lipid-lowering 117 litjiestee 120,121 Lobostemon fruticosus 62, 63 longevity 29 Louis Leipoldt 95 love 13,14,15, 20 love charm 15 love dolls 21 love muthi 15 love poppets 14 luck 65 Lunar cycle 19 lung cancer 84 Madagascar 61, 78 magic carpet 40 MaiMai traditional healers market 17 malaria 59, 60,119 malaria antidote 77 Malawi 123 male erectile dysfunction 112 male infertility 82, 83 male menopause 64 male tonic 112 Malwai 45 Maputaland 76 Marilyn McDowell 16 marketing 84, 85 Marloth, Rudolf 74 maroela 58 marriage 58 marriage tree 58 marula 58, 59 marula fruits 58, 59 marula nuts 58, 59 Masai 67 mating rituals 112 McDowell, Marilyn 16 medicinal plants database 99 Medicinal Plants of South Africa 70 Medicinal Plants of the World 79 medicines 19 meditation 10, 78, 79, 93 Melegueta 64 melegueta pepper 64 menstrual cramps 89 menstrual pains 119 mental 83 mental disorders 34 mental health 83 Merwilla plumbea 98, 99 mesembrine 106 migraines 83 mind 82 mind and mood 113 mind and mood medicines 123 mind and mood plants 83 mind-altering 82 miracle 84 miracle cure 84, 85 miswak 66, 67 modukulo 58 monarch butterfly 105 mood 82 mood lifter 121 mood-enhancer 107 mookana 36 morula 58 moshaoka 36 Mother Africa 38 mouth ulcers 109 mouthwash 114 Mozambique 32, 76 mummification 26 muscular cramps 70 muse 56 music 32 musk 109 mustard seed 66, 67 mustard tree 66, 67 muthi 8, 9,13,14 muthi market 12,15, 99, 90, 91, 104,110, 111 Mutwa, Credo 30, 31, 38, 71, 76, 119 muvhuyu 28 Myrothamnus flabellifolius 42, 43 myrrh 10, 50, 93,108,109 myrrh tree 108,109 myth 84, 85 mythology 31 Nama 70,106 Namaqualand 107 Namibia 32, 35, 48, 66 Nandi flame 24 narcotic 30, 31, 56, 83 nasal plugs 57 nausea 82 nectar 72,103 Neil Crouch 23, 98 nervous disorders 41,110 neurotoxic 56 neurotransmitters 106 Nguni 110 Nguni people 119 Nichols, Geoff 20, 77, 91, 99 Nigel Gericke 82,107 Niger River 64 Nigeria 112 nightmares 119 Nomkhubulwana 92, 93 non-alcoholic drink 123 Nortier, P. le Fras 95 nosebleeds 55 nymph 31 Nymphaea caerulea 30 obstetric disorders 39 Ocotea bullata 110, 111 black stinkwood 110, 111 octopus 117 oil 116 ointments 86 Okavango 31 old man's disease 60 Olea africana 116,117 Olea europaea 116 oleacein 117 oleuropein 117 olive, wild 116,117 Omo region 34 oral history 100 oral hygiene 46, 67 oral rinses 114 oral thrush 37 oral tradition 11 oranges 33 orchid 20 oriental medicine 78 Osmitopsis asteriscoides 52, 53 osteo-arthritis 89 oval-leaf buchu 48 over-exploitation 113 over-harvesting 107 P. le Fras Nortier 95 P57 74 pain 27, 55, 65, 83, 92,109,119 painkiller 41 palaeo-botanical 34 panacea 64 paradise 64 paranoia 83 parapsychology 41 Parceval 68 past life 78 patent 74 Paul Verlaine 56 Pausinystalia johimbe 112,113 peaflower family 97 pearl millet 116 Peganum harmala 40,41 Pelargonium sidoides 68, 69 penis 113 penis enlargement 112 pennywort, 78, 79 Pentanisia prunelloides 24, 25 Peoples Plants 82 pepper-bark 76, 77 pepper-bark tree 76, 77,110 , peptic ulcers 89 performance-enhancing 112 perfume 115 Persia 66 persimmon 46, 47 personality problems 83 Pfefferkorn der Bibel 66 Phalaborwa 58 Pharaohs 108 physical 8 phytosterols 61, 84 pineapple flower 90, 91 pinitol 96 Piper guineensis 25 placebo 113 placebo effect 85 placenta 39 plant classification 13 plant fats 84 plant mythology 10 plantains 64 plaster 62, 63, 67, 86 plaster bush 62 plastic surgeons 79 pleasure 106 pleisterbos 62 plum family 60 pneumonia 76 post-operative recovery 91 potatoes 31 potency 112 potsherd 92 poultices 37 pregnancy 38, 39, 99 prisoner of war 88 prostate gland hypertrophy 60 prostatic hypertrophy 84 Protas Cele 15, 20, 23, 38, 39, 76, 99,118 Protea cynaroides 73 Protea rep ens 72, 73 Proteus 72 Prunus africana 60, 61 psychoactive 30, 83 psychoactive vapours 40, 41 psychological 8 psychological charm 111 psychosomatic 43 psychotropic 82 Ptaeroxylon obliquum 32, 33 pumpkin 38 pygmies 113 pyrrolizidine alkaloids 63 qat 82 quiabo da Angola 100 quinones 46, 47 Ragman 121 Ramses II30 rashes 86 red stinkwood 60, 61 red-sorrel 100 reductionist 53 religious rituals 93 respiratory ailments 43 respiratory tract infections 52 respiratory tract irritations 69 resurrection 42 resurrection plant 42,43 rheumatism 33, 79, 89, 96 rhizome 118 Rhus tree 120 ring-barking 110 ringworm 63 ritual incense 92 river pumpkin 38, 39 rock art 50, 51, 89,105 rock engraving 89 Roman Dutch Law 75 rooibos tea 94, 95,102,103 roselle 100 round-leaf buchu 48 royalty agreement 74 Rudolf Marloth 74 rue sauvage 40 Salvador a persica 66, 67 San 12, 48, 49, 62, 74, 80, 81, 88 sangoma 8,16,17, 27, 42, 92,104, 118, sanguinarine 114 saponins 35, 79 sausage tree 14, 25 sausage tree 44, 45 savannah 25 scar tissue 79 Sceletium tortuosum 106,107 schizophrenia 83 Schoeman, Jan 121 scientific proof 14, 85 scientific research 94 Sclerocarya birrea 58, 59 scorpion stings 54 scurvy 75 Sechehaye, Adrien 69 sedative 105,106 seed 66 semi-parasites 120 serenity 106 serotonin 106 serotonin-uptake inhibitor 106 seven 65 sewing needles 37 sex 44,112 sexual performance 113 sexual problems 113 sexual prowess 13,14 sexual rejuvenation 64 sexual stimulant 41 sexy 14, 44 shadow 80 shape-shifter 72 sickle bush 54, 55 side effects 83 Silverglen Medicinal Plant Nursery 118 sinus troubles 118 sinuses 77 sinusitis 68 Siphonochilus aethiopicus 118, 119 skin 94 skin cancer 45 skin diseases 70 skin irritations 86 skin lotions 45 skincare products 51 skin-healing 45 slangkop 98 slave trade 65 small knobwood 114,115 smoke 10, 92, 93,110 Smuts, Jan 12 snake 54 snake bites 34, 54, 70 snakebite remedy 115 sneezewood 32, 33 sneezing 33 snuff 33, 77,107,110 soap plants 35 sociability 82 Socotra 50 soetdoring36 Somalia 50,108 soothsayer 58 sorcerers 99 sore teeth 109 sore throat 34,117 sores 44, 63 sorghum 116 Sotho 57 Spanish Flu 115 Spathodea campanulata 24, 25 Species Plantarum 65 spindle poisons 79 spirit 26 spirit world 104 spirits 92,106 spiritual 8, 83 spirituality 16 spitting of blood 29 Spotted Eagle Owl 21 sprains 99 St Lucia Wetland Park 90, 91 stamina-enhancing 112 Steenkamp, Blikkies 49, 62 Steganotaenia araliacea 34, 35 Stevens, Charles 69 Stevens' Consumption Cure 69 stimulant 82, 94,106,112 stings 70 stomach aches 81, 82 stomach ailments 48, 66,104, 110,115 stress 79, 96,107 Sub-Saharan Africa 11 succulent 86, 87,106 Sudan 100 sugarbush 72, 73 suikerbos 72 sunbirds 70 sunburn 86 supernatural forces 104 sustainable 113 Sutherlandia frutescens 71, 96,97 Swazi 119 Swaziland 76 Swedish bitters 51 sweet thorn 36, 37 sweet/sour 101 sweetener 72 symbol of peace 117 synergistic effect 59 synergy 52 syphilis 14, 24, 44, 78, 91 syrup 72 tannin 37, 94, 111, 121 tanning 37 tapeworms 65 taxonomy 102 tea 75, 83,100,102,121,123 teeth 46 telepathine 41 telepathy 41 Tembe Elephant Reserve 76 tension 106 testicular tumours 85 The Flora of South Africa 74 thirst 74, 75 three wise men 10 throat infections 109 thujone 56, 57 Thunberg, Carl, 13,102,103,114 timber 110 tloutaxaba 88 tobacco 106 tonic 35, 51, 81, 85, 71, 84, 96,100, 112,121 tonsillitis 109 toothache 54, 55,115 toothbrush 46, 66, 67 toothbrush tree 66 toothpaste 46,114 toothsticks 46, 47 tortoise shells 9, 48 tourniquet 54 traditional African healer 8 traditional African medicine 16, 89 traditional healers 13, 31 traditional healing 97 trance rituals 26 tranquilisers 42 tuberculosis 47, 55, 69, 89, 96 tumours 99 Twasa 17 ugobho 38 ukuphalaza 33 ulcers 24, 44, 63, 96 Ulrich Feiter 68, 69 umathunga 90 umckaloabo 68, 69 umhlahlampetu 70 umhlonyane 56 umkakase 60 umlungumabele 114 umnga 36 umthathe 32 umunga 36 unf ermented rooibos 94 unukani 110, 111 urinary complaints 29, 33, 60,110 urinary tract disinfectant 48 urinary tract infections 31, 85, 91, 96,101,117 urination 113 urine 84 uterotonic 39 uterus 39 utshwalabenyoni 70 uvukwabafile 42 Uzara 105 Van Gogh, Vincent 56, 57 Van Putten, James 95 Van Wyk, Appie 9, 48 vasodilation 113 venereal diseases 39 Verlaine, Paul 56 vermifuge 65 Viagra 113 Vicks VapoRub 52, 53 Viljoen, Alvaro 52 Vincent van Gogh 56, 57 viral hepatitis 71 virility 44 Viscum capense 120,121 Vitamin A 29 Vitamin C 29, 59,101 voelent 120 volatile oils 10, 33, 92 Volk 88, 89 vomiting 27, 33 Vulindaba 71 war 22 Warburgia salutaris 76, 77 warts 33,121 wasting 96 wattles 73 weight loss 82 West Africa 64,112 western medicine 79 white horehound 71 white woman 114 wild 60,116 wild dagga 70, 71 wild ginger 118,119 wild olive 116,117 wild rooibos 95 wild rue 40 wilde dagga 70 wildeals 56 wisdom 28, 29, 81 wood rose 59,120 World Heritage site 90 wormwood 56 wormwood, African 56 wound dressings 93 wound-healer 67 wound-healing 28, 50, 55, 62, 79, 86,108,109 wounds wounds 24, 43, 49, 63, 78, 79, 86, 108,109 Xhosa 8, 32, 60,110,114,117,119 xylophone 32, 33 Xysmalobium undulatum 104, 105 yage 41 yams 64 YangYifan 109 Yemen 82 Yifan, Yang 109 yohimbe tree 112,113 yohimbine 112 Zanthoxylum capense 114,115 Zeus 103 Zimbabwe 45 Zingiber officinale 25 Zulu 37, 47, 60, 70, 90,104,110, 117,118,119 Zulu Princess of Heaven 92, 93 Zulu warriors 22, 23 Zululand 90 |