Volume 179, 17 February 2016, Pages 265–273
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
The
use of animals and plants as traditional remedies for both medical
afflictions and social or cultural issues (symbolism) has a long history
in South Africa and a reasonably large proportion of the population
will consult a traditional healer during their life-time. Compared to
plants, the use of animal parts in traditional medicine and folklore is
poorly documented.
Methods
We
interviewed 32 traders from South Africa's largest traditional medicine
market, the Faraday Street market in Johannesburg, of which only 20
consented to supplying some species use information. Traders are
particularly protective of the medicinal properties of their wares.
Given the sensitive nature of this information (12 traders declined to
be interviewed), we were only able to gather data on their perceived
uses and no data on dosages, efficacy, or individual turn-over of
products. We assessed the trade of animal parts from the perspective of
consumer needs by analysing use-categories (e.g. headaches, strokes,
skin problems, bad luck, etc.) and the degree of informant consensus in
the selection of fauna to treat certain conditions.
Results
We
documented 301 uses for animal parts from 52 species and 18
‘morphospecies’ that we allocated to 122 broad-use categories. Overall,
reptiles and mammals were the most frequently used taxa in traditional
medicine and some species had multiple uses (i.e., appeared in multiple
use-categories) including crocodiles, lizards generally, chameleons,
striped polecats, elephants and jackals. Animals were mostly used for
‘strength’ (physical or overcoming fear), but also as love charms,
warding off bad luck or bad spirits or improving one's luck. Only 36% of
our categories were medicinal (e.g., headaches, skin problems, swollen
feet, etc.). We also found a high rate of non-disclosure of uses per
species (a mean 86% of traders did not reveal information on the use of a
species), and a variable degree of consensus between the traders on
what particular species are actually used for.
Conclusions
We
suggest that traditional medicine markets provide a unique opportunity
to gauge the health and symbolic or personal issues representative of a
large sector of society. What’s more, we recommend that researchers be
more mindful in the way that use information is reported. We also
highlight the potentially serious threat of traditional medicine to
species that may be particularly vulnerable by virtue of their
restricted distribution or predictable behaviour.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Ethnozoology;
- Zootherapy;
- Conservation;
- Doctrine of Signatures;
- South Africa
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