An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used extensively for the treatment of infectious diseases by majority of the world’s population. Many of the rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal have no access to western medical healthcare and rely on traditional medicine for their curative properties. It has been noted that approximately 20% of plants found in the world have some pharmacological properties. An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for various treatments including stomach ailments, skin diseases, blood purifiers, rashes, burns and other infections used in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa was conducted through the use of structured questionnaires. Respondents included traditional healers, herbalists and herb sellers. The information collected revealed that 25 plant species belonging to various families were currently exploited for their curative properties. The most frequently used parts are the leaves followed by root, rhizome or bulb. Stems, flowers and fruits were seldom used. The survey indicated that traditional healers administered their medications via extracts that were obtained by boiling, either as a tea or concoction. Furthermore, this survey indicates the predominant species used by traditional healers against various ailments.   Key words: South Africa traditional market, herbal medicine, traditional healers.