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Zulu Medicinal plants

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Zulu Culture

Zulu Medicinal Plants

Author: Graham Chennells

Publishing date: 18.11.2005 13:02

Zulu Medicinal Plants

Haworthia limifolia

“A calling for medicinal plant farming”
(This picture is actually of Haworthia limifolia.)
Indigenous plants play a pivotal role in Africa for traditional healing. Every indigenous plant has a medicinal value and every culture uses a certain plant in traditional healing.
Indigenous knowledge of plants is being lost. The cultivation of medicinal plants will help restore indigenous knowledge of plants.
In KwaZulu Natal alone, there are 80% indigenous medicine consumers. The demand is exceeding supply due to lack of indigenous cultivation knowledge.
In Durban there are only two medicinal plants markets who supply the medicinal plant industry.

Gardners at Mphaphala

There are a few farms which have been established and individual farmers who now provide medicinal plants.There are organisations spending a lot of money to kick start the concept of producing medicinal plants on a commercial basis.There is a good infrastructure being developed around the Durban Market.
If you are looking for the medicinal plants either to grow or develop herbal products, you can contact Lungile Ntuli.

Eucomis autumnalis

Medicinal plants.
These are medicinal plants we are growing in Eshowe.
Herbs
Alepedia amatymbica.(Hairy Leaf)
Artemisa Afra ( Wormwood)
Bulbine. From larger leaf to smaller leaf. (Natalensis, Fortensa, Abyssinica)
Clivia miniata (shade)
Gasteria croucheri (Succulent)
Haworthia limifolia (Succulent)
Pittosporum viridifolium (Cheesewood)
Scabiosa columbaria
Endostemon obusifolius. Wild Mint
Rosemary wild
Gebra ambigua
Bulbine nantelensis
Gazania repens
Agapanthus
Aptinia
Orthosiphon Labiatus
Mondia whitei

Bulbs.
Tulbaghia Violacea
Drimia robusta ((Onion Looking)
Eucomisautumnalis (Pineapple flower)
Scilla natalensis
Siphonochilus aethiopicus ( Ginger)
Albuca
Wild Onion.
Aloes.
Aloe mariothii
Aloe thraskii
Aloe maculate
Aloe cooperii

Herbs at Durban Market

Trees
Cryptocarya latifolia
Ocotea bullata (Black Stinkwood)
Creeper.
Dioscorea sylvatica
Planted Ground Cover.
Barleria repens.
Barelia obtusa Purple
Anthericum grass
Plumbago (white)
Barleria prunosa
Crinum
Hypoestas aristata (white)
Felicia Illmoydes
Euryops pectinctas (yellow)
Gloriosa superba (flame lily)
Peristophy Cenua (butterflies)
Haleria lucida
Maturungia longestroba (sunbird bush flowers for 6 months)
Hypostos (blue)
Lypia jervanica)

Hypoxis Bulbs

Some still Still Required
Stangeria eriopus
Warburgia salutaris
Strophanthus (Spider flower)
Aloe aristata
Ansellia gigantean
Balanites maughiiBersama tysoniana
Boophane disticha
Bowiea volubillis
Cassine papillosa
Cassine transvaalensis
Cassipourea gerradii
Curtisia dentate
Dioscorea dregeana
Eriospermum mackenii
Gunnera perpensa
Justicia capensis
Prunus africana

Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Description & Diagnostic Features.
Widespread in grassland and woodland habitats.The long narrow, hairy leaves are clustered into three sections, and the plant can reach up to 40 cms high.The bulb can grow to 25 - 70 cms in diameter, and is covered in bristly hairs. A slice into the bulb reveals yellow flesh, which turns brown on exposure to air. The yellow star-shaped flowers are produced from spring to autumn.Up to 16 flowers are produced per flower stalk, which open at first light and close at midday.
Uses.The tuberous rootstock is used for treatment of headaches,dizziness, mental disorders, cancers, inflammation and HIV. Weak infusions of the bulb are used as convalescent and strengthening tonics.The plant has also been used to treat urinary complaints and testicular tumours.It has also been used as a laxative and emetic.The leaves can be used to make long lasting rope, and the bulb is often used to blacken floors.The leaves are often used to produce black stain/dye.

Siphonochilus aethiopicus. Wild Ginger

Siphonochilus aethiopicus(Wild Ginger).
Description & Diagnostic Features.
Plants are found in Forests, and may be up to 1 metre in height.Erect annual leaves arise from small coned-shaped rhizomes.Spectacular pink and white flowers are produced on stalks seperate from the leaf stem in late spring & early summer.
Uses
The rhizomes and fleshy roots are chewed for coughs, colds, asthma and hysteria.An infusion of the rhizome is used to treat menstrual cramps and other pain.The plant is also cultivated to provide protection from lightning and snakes.

Artimisa Afra

Artemisia afra
Description & Diagnostic Features.
The plant has many stems and may reach a height of 2m. It has characteristic aromatic, grey-green, feathery leaves. Flowers are yellow and produced from February to July, and in November.Found on forest margins along streams. The plant is rich in essential oils, but the concentrations vary between plants in different regions.
UsesFresh and dry young leaves and stems are drunk as tea or boiled mixture (often with alcohol) The roots are sometimes also used.Used to treat fever, colds, flu, sore throats, coughs, asthma, pneumonia, headaches, gastritis, indigestion, poor apetite, flatulence, colic, intestinal worms, constipation, gout and malaria.A painful tooth is packed with fresh leaves, and deconcoctions may be held in the mouth to relieve pain in gum infections.

Bulbine

Bulbine species
Description & Diagnostic Features.
Found in grasslands often on rocky slopes, thriving in both full sun and shade.The stems branch at the base and the leaves are green and either long narrow or cylindrical or filiform and fill with clear gel, or they are thick and fleshy tapering to a narrow tip.Clusters of golden yellow flowrs are produced on flower stalks up to 60 cms tall throughout the year.
Uses
The leaves are crushed or the gel from the leaves is used directly to treat eczema, cracked lips, skin complaints, ringworm, rashes, boils, burns, wounds, cuts to stop nbleeding and as an antidote for poison. It is taken orally for treatment of vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions,veneral didease, diabetes, blood disorders, rheumatism, and urinary complaints. THe vplant is used v to treat sick livestack.The healing effect of the plant is likely to be due to glycoproteins in the leaf sap.

Scabiosa columbaria

Scabiosa columbaria
Description & Diagnostic Features.
Found in grasslands and open grasslands and open woodland from the coast to 2000m above sea level. A small herb with branched stems reaching up to 1.5m. The plant is covered in fine hairs and the leaves are clustered around the base of the stem. The leaves on the stem are smaller than those at the base and are more feather like. The flowers are clustered in dense white or pink heads, and are ptoduced all year round.
Uses
The leaves and roots are used to treat sterility, heartburn and colic, venereal sores, painful menstruation, sore eyes and to ease childbirth.The powdered roots are used as a babypowder. The plant is also died and ground to a perfumed dusting powder for children.

SAKHAMUZI DECOCTION

Sakhamuzi

The word “sakhamuzi” means building the nation.
Ingredients: Sutherlandia (Unwele) , Senecio serratuloides(Unsukumbili), Morella serrata (Umlulama), Watsonia sp.(Umlunge)

It cures the following ailments:
BP – 1BP
BACKACHE - IQOLO
ATHRITIS - AMATHAMBO
SKIN IRRITATIONS – UMZIMBA OMUBI
WOUNDS - IZILONDA
BOILS - MATHUMBA
ENHANCES MALE POTENCY – IVUSA INDUKU
BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM – IDAMBISA IZINGA LENGCULAZI

Medicinal Garden

The following plants are available which are in demand:
Hypoxis hemerocallidea – African Potato – Inkomfe / Ilabatheka
Siphonochilus aethiopicus – Wild Ginger – Isiphephetho / Indungulo
Bulbine natalensis – Broadleaved bulbine – Ibhucu
Alepedia amatymbica – Grassland alepedia – Ikhathazo
The list is endless………………..

Booklets on the cultivation of medicinal plants are also available, place an order now.
Zulu Craft: Place an order with the colour , design and the type of product you are looking for.

Albuca nelsonii

Some Contact persons.
Lungile Fanelesibonge Ntuli
810204 0347 0 86
Mobile number: 083 272 9144

CURRICULUM VITAE
Profession: Independent Consultant
KEY COMPETENCIES:
• expertise in medicinal plant farming

• advise & mentorship in medicinal plant farming
• training on the growth of medicinal plants
• general translations of written documents / speeches / informative material
• marketing of medicinal plants
• research on medicinal plants
• identification of roleplayers in the medicinal plant industry

Contact person in Eshowe.
Graham Chennells.

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