African Traditional Medicine

Used in sub-Saharan Africa, where it originated, for many ailments, including pain, fever and stomach problems.

One of the two buchu species of the Khoi-San.

Seeds used across West Africa for pain, fever and malaria.

The pungent seeds are widely used in African folk medicine.

Sacred in some West African forest communities; used for malaria and fever.

Used in African traditional medicine for allergic reactions, inflammation and the common cold.

Chewed in social ceremonies and for many ailments.

A long-standing South African household remedy.

Stem bark used in Mali and Nigeria.

Used to lower blood sugar by indigenous communities in East Africa, as well as in Asia, India and South America.

Traditionally used in Morocco to increase urination, and for diabetes and poor appetite.

Leaf and shoot decoctions taken for anemia and fever in western and central Africa.

Used in Ghana, often with neem, in herbal malaria medicines.

Used by peoples of southern Africa for digestion, pain, fever, childbirth and as a tonic; the powder was put on wounds.

Used for fertility control in Ethiopia and as an herbal medicine in Ivory Coast.

Rubbed on the skin by the Khoisan.

Yoruba use of the leaf to stop bleeding and for fresh wounds, malaria and skin disease.

Yoruba use of the leaf for infertility, malaria, wounds and ulcers.

Yoruba uses of the leaf, including for nosebleeds and as snuff.

Leaf and bark teas for diarrhea and stomachache.

Used in South Africa for coughs, colds, fever, menstrual pain and wounds.

Used in South Africa for colds, coughs, fever, menstrual problems and skin care.

Widely grown in many African and Southeast Asian countries, where it's drunk as a tea and used in traditional medicine.

The most widely used acacia for treating livestock in Africa.

Used in sub-Saharan Africa for diabetes, malaria, wounds, inflammation and fever.

Widely used as a medicinal plant in its native range, which includes tropical Africa.

Used in South Africa to repel ticks from livestock.

A widely used medicinal fruit in West Africa.

An established medicinal plant in African traditional medicine.

Used for millennia by the San and Khoi peoples of South Africa to ease hunger, thirst and tiredness, and for social and spiritual purposes.

Used in traditional medicine in Cameroon for pain and inflammation.

One of South Africa's most popular medicinal plants.

Used by women in southern Nigeria for menstrual problems and after childbirth.

Historically used in Africa as an aphrodisiac and to enhance sexual performance.