Indigenous Herbs

• South Africa has a rich heritage of traditional herbal remedies and the country is blessed with an abundance of indigenous plants known for their healing properties. A large portion of the country falls into the Cape Floral Kingdom, containing approximately 4% of all the world’s plant species. Of these plants, 70% are endemic, meaning that they don’t occur naturally anywhere else in the world. With nearly 9,000 plant species found naturally in this area, it’s no surprise that many of South Africa’s traditional remedies are based on the curative properties of plants. Many of these plants are also used for their pesticidal qualities. Below are a few of our African Wonder Plants:
  
  
• Aspalathus linearis or Rooibos – Used often as a sleeping aid and also has good detoxifying qualities.
• Artemesia afra or Wilde Als – A wildeals tea is a tried and tested remedy for flu, while a few leaves rubbed onto travel weary feet will soothe away aches and pains.
• Agathosma crenulata or Boegoe – The active ingredient is diosphenol, or “barosma camphor”, which is a potent antiseptic and diuretic.
• Zanthedeschia aethiopica or Arum Lily – The leaf is soothing for burns and insect bites and it draws out sores and boils.
• Carpobrotus edulis or Sour Fig – Leaves tips are chewed for a sore throat and juice from the leaves is soothing for mouthy infections, sore throats and indigestion.
• Portulacaria afra of Spekboom – Spekboom is a very useful medicinal plant and its uses are only being utilised in the last few years.
• Bulbine frutescens or Bulbine – Bulbine has traditional been used to tread skin ailments like exema.
• Tulbachia violacea or Garlic flower – It is often used as a natural pesticide due to its pungent garlic smell.