Traditional medicine of the Little Karoo, Western Cape Province, South Africa

The paucity of scientific information on Khoe-San and Cape Dutch medicinal ethnobotany has repeatedly been highlighted [1, 2] in reviews of Cape Herbal Medicine [3]. As a contribution to a better understanding of this distinctive healing system, a quantitative ethnobotanical survey was conducted in three towns in the western part of the Little Karoo, namely Barrydale, Vanwyksdorp and Zoar. The Little Karoo is an arid but botanically diverse region with an estimated 3255 plant species [4]. A checklist of medicinal plants of the Little Karoo was compiled, based on local popular literature and the quantitative survey. It includes 268 species from 70 genera and 77 families. The Matrix Method [5] allowed us, not only to compare the patterns of plant use in the different towns, but also to make broader comparisons with other study sites in the Greater Cape Floristic Region. Interesting similarities but also noteworthy differences within the three towns were found regarding the plants that are used. The largest numbers of species were used for respiratory ailments (40 species in Barrydale, 39 in Vanwyksdorp and 50 in Zoar), stomach ailments (25 species in Barrydale, 33 in Vanwyksdorp and 34 in Zoar) and the topical treatment of wounds (26 species in Barrydale, 41 in Vanwyksdorp and 30 in Zoar). Scientifically poorly known species were amongst the most popular remedies for respiratory ailments (e.g. Pegolettia baccharidifolia Less. [Asteraceae] in Barrydale), stomach ailments (e.g. Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild [Capparaceae] in Vanwyksdorp and Zoar) and wound healing (e.g. Osteospermum calendulaceum L.f. [Asteraceae] in all three towns). Amongst unusual new records were Nymania capensis (Thunb.) Lindb. [Meliaceae] roots, used to treat alcoholism and Rosenia humilis (Less.) K. Bremer [Asteraceae], used to treat infertility and female disorders. Numerous other new uses and new vernacular names were recorded.

Acknowledgements: National Research Foundation is acknowledged for funding, University of Johannesburg for the use of their facilities and all participants of the survey for their valuable contributions.

Keywords: Cape Herbal Medicine, indigenous knowledge systems, Little Karoo, Matrix Method, medicinal plants, quantitative ethnobotany.

References:

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[2] Van Wyk BE. A review of ethnobotanical research in southern Africa. S Afr J Bot 2002; 68:1 – 13

[3] Van Wyk BE. A review of Khoi-San and Cape Dutch medicinal ethnobotany. J Ethnopharmcol 2008; 119: 331 – 341

[4] Vlok J, Schutte-Vlok AL. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Hatfield: Umdaus Press; 2010.

[5] De Beer JJJ, Van Wyk BE. An ethnobotanical survey of the Agter-Hantam, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. S Afr J Bot 2011; 71: 741 – 754