An ethnobotanical survey of traditional medicinal plants used against lymphatic filariasis in South Africa

- An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on traditional medicinal plants used against lymphatic filariasis in South Africa.
- Forty six medicinal plants belonging to 28 families were used in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis in South Africa.
- Members of the family Asteraceae were the most commonly used plants.
- Leaves and underground plant parts were reported to be the frequently used parts.

Lymphatic filariasis is a condition where the skin thickens and hardens after excessive swelling associated with lymphoedema. The condition is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used against lymphatic filariasis in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa was conducted through the use of structured questionnaires. Information was gathered from 21 traditional healers, 9 herbalists and 12 elderly people. The respondents were asked questions regarding their use of medicinal plants to treat lymphatic filariasis and related ailments. Information entailing plants used to treat lymphatic filariasis, plant parts used, mode of preparation and dosage was recorded. The information collected revealed 46 medicinal plants belonging to 28 families were used against lymphatic filariasis. Members of the Asteraceae family were the most prominent, followed by Hyacinthaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae. It was interesting to note that different traditional healers from the four Provinces use similar plants to treat lymphatic filariasis. The most frequently mentioned plants were Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Eucomis autumnalis, Ganoderma sp., Solanum aculeastrum, Hermannia geniculata, Datura stramonium and Pentanisia prunelloides. Leaves and underground plant parts were reported to be the most commonly used plant parts. The most prominent methods of herbal administration used were orally and soaking of the affected body part. This study has documented important ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used by South African healers and indigenous people in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and related diseases.