South Africa is the third most biodiverse country in the world and inhabitants have for centuries employed the help of indigenous medicinal plants.
These healing plants treated all sorts of maladies including cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis (TB) as well as more benign complaints such as the common cold, arthritis, menstrual problems, stomach issues, to ward off lighting, evil powers and chase away mosquitoes and dogs.
In this section South Africa Online ® provides well-researched content on a variety of topics relating to South African Medicinal Plants, translated into all 11 official South African languages.
African Ginger Oil
African Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) is a popular Zulu herbal medicine that was believed to offer protection against snakes and lightn...moreAloe Ferox
The versatile aloe is known for being the healing succulent. Its fleshy leaves hold nourishing properties that facilitate the healing and im...moreAnti-inflammatory African Potato
Not related to the household potato, the African wild potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) is associated with the lily and is a very hardy and dr...moreBaobab Tree
Benefits of Baobab and Baobab Oil. Baobab provides food, water and fibre but also have medicinal uses. Young leaves are used in cooking or t...moreBuchu Health Benefits
Buchu has long been described as a “miracle herb” and medicinal plant in South Africa, being used for centuries as a folk remedy or “b...more
Buchu (‘boegoe’ in Afrikaans) is a generic name for members of the aromatic Rutaceae family and is prized for its medicinal properties w...Bush Tea
Also called Bush tea (Eng.) Boesmanstee (Afr.), Icholocholo, itshelo, umthsanelo (isiZulu), Athrixia phylicoides with its soft dark green f...moreCamphor Bush
Camphor bush, Tarchonanthus camphoratus is also known as leleshwa, African wild sage or ‘vaalbos’ (Afrikaans). Camphor bush helps treat ...moreCan African Wormwood Cure Cancer?
Known as African wormwood or sagewood - Artemisia afra - is a highly aromatic plant. Used for its multitude of medicinal properties artemisi...moreCan Mongongo Nut Prevent Hair Loss?
Mongongo trees (Schinziophyton rautanenii), also known as manketti, are found in southern Africa especially in the deep sandy soils of the K...moreCape Chamomile Oil is for Anti-inflammatory
Cape chamomile (Eriocephalus punctulatus) is one of the lesser-known ‘camomile’ plants used for its oils healing properties. Cape Chamom...moreCape Rose Geranium for PMS
Cape rose geranium essential oil - Pelargonium capitatum x radens (rose) - is the preferred one of 700 varieties of cultivated geranium and ...moreCape Snowbush
This small shrub with silver leaves and white flowers are called Eriocephalus africanus and is of the Asteraceae family. Named after the flu...more
Cannabis is most often associated with the high one gets from smoking the flower buds or resin of the plant. However, there is so much more ...Damask Rose Oil
Extracts of rose oil contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories and are suitable for use on all skin types, including ...moreDevils Claw for Arthritis
The Southern African Khoisan and Bantu-speakers have used devil’s claw for indigestion, blood diseases, fevers, sprains and boils.
Moder...moreEucalyptus Oil for Mental Exhaustion
Eucalyptus was originally used by Aboriginal Australians for its antiseptic properties - healing wounds, fungal infections and also to break...moreHelichrysum Oil
Helichrysum essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which is ideal for tendonitis, tissue pain and rheumatism. It is also antifungal...moreHoodia for Slimming?
Sought-after for its medicinal properties, curious-looking Hoodia gordonii is also called 'Bitter Ghaap', Kalahari cactus, ‘bokhorings’ ...moreIndigenous South African Plants as Natural Cosmetics
Many plants in South Africa - whether indigenous or naturalised - have been used as natural skin care or organic cosmetics by indigenous peo...moreKalahari Melon Oil
Kalahari melon fruit is used by the San (Bushmen) people as a source of water, as well as a moisturiser and sunscreen. It is eaten by livest...moreLippia Javanica Against Insects
Rich in a volatile oil with a lemon-like fragrance, Lippia Javanica repels insects and rodents. Grown commercially in South Africa for essen...moreMarula Oil - Rich Skin Hydrator
Marula oil is rich in essential fatty acids and its fine molecular structure is the key to its effectiveness as a skin hydrator and protecto...moreMedicinal Plants of South Africa
The potency of South African Medicinal Plants have been recognized by the international pharmacological, food and cosmetic industries and ar...moreMoringa - Miracle Medicine
Moringa is now considered a ‘super-food’. The powdered leaves, roots, bark and immature pods are used for its nutritional, anti-inflamm...moreParsley Tree
Plants such as the parsley tree are valuable in this time of great societal stress where there is a great need for natural relaxing remedies...morePepperbark Tree - Endangered Medicine Plant
The bark and leaves of the pepper-bark tree contain various compounds with antibacterial, anti-fungicidal (particularly against Candida yeas...morePineapple Lily - Popular Traditional Medicine
The strange-looking pineapple lily is a striking bulbous plant resembling a flowering green pineapple. Native to South Africa, its yellow-gr...morePsychoactive Plants
Many people ask why are psychoactive plants important to know about? Traditional medicine has hundreds of unexplored South African medicinal...moreRed Milkwood Fruit High in Vitamin C
Red milkwood (Mimusops zeyheri) is also called moepel, Mmupudu, umPushane, Nhlantswa and Mubululu and is native to Africa....moreRooibos Tea is Proudly South African
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is a shrubby legume indigenous to the mountains of the Western Cape and endemic to South Africa. The caffeine-...moreSage Oil - Ancient Medicine
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial shrub with fragrant grey-green leaves about 60 cm high in the family of Labiatae/Lamiaceae. Sage wa...moreSceletium Tortuosum - Traditional Mood Enhancer
This climbing or creeping plant - Sceletium tortuosum - has been known and used in South Africa for centuries. The Khoisan used the plant an...moreSourplum as Medicinal Plant
The sourplum tree is also known as the wild plum or monkey plum. Benefits of Sourplum include helping treat nausea in pregnancy and it is ap...moreSutherlandia Frutescens - Soothes Sickness
The ‘cure-all’ of South African plants, Sutherlandia frutescens is widely praised for its immune boosting, anti-viral and anti-inflammat...moreThe Difference Between Lavender and Lavandin Oil
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant and not indigenous to South Africa, however, it is planted here and high-quality lavender oil is produced ...moreUse Pelargonium Sidoides for a Cold
Pelargonium sidoides has mildly aromatic velvety leaves and almost black flowers and is a well-known medicinal plant in South Africa. It has...more