Available online 26 March 2015
The traditional use of plants to manage candidiasis and related infections in Venda, South Africa
- doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.046
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Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
This
paper presents results of an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants
used for the management of candidiasis and related fungal infections in
the Venda area, South Africa.
Materials and methods
Ethnobotanical
data about the uses of plants were gathered from eleven rural
traditional healers using semi-structured interviews.
Results
A
total of 45 species belonging to 24 different families were identified,
of which the dominant family was the Fabaceae with 13 species (28.9%)
followed by the Asteraceae and Solanaceae with 3 species each (6.7 %). A
total of 28 of these plant species (62.2%) have been shown to have
anticandidal activity and 14 species (31%) have been recorded for
antifungal uses in the literature. Amongst the 45 species recorded, 51%
were trees, 33% were shrubs, and 16% were herbs. The most widely used
plant species were Acacia caffra, Clerodendrum glabrum,
Croton gratissimus, Elaeodendron transvaalense, Faurea saligna,
Hippocratea longipetiolata, Osyris lanceolata, Richardia brasiliensis,
Schkuhria pinnata, Schotia brachypetala, Spilanthes acmella, Strychnos
potatorum, Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta and Withania somnifera.
The plant parts mostly used in the therapeutic preparations were roots
(27.7%), bark (23.2%), and a combination of roots, bark (18.7%) and
leaves (14.3%). Decoctions (44.4%), infusions (20%), macerations
(17.7%), burning (11.4%) and paste (6.5%) were used. Most of the herbal
remedies were administered orally. The main factors threatening the
conservation status of these plants are unsustainable methods of
harvesting, logging for firewood, building materials and crafts.
Conclusion
The
Venda area is rich in plant diversity and local indigenous knowledge of
medicinal plants can play an important role as a model for low cost
primary health care. Further studies are in progress to validate the
indigenous plants recorded as traditional remedies in this area
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Ethnobotanical survey;
- Candidiasis;
- Venda;
- Traditional healers;
- Antifungal
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
