Commercial traditional herbal mixtures sold in the Maseru District of Lesotho

Abstract

An increase in the prevalence of locally produced traditional herbal mixtures has been observed in various towns of Lesotho, particularly Maseru District. These mixtures are commonly sold by street vendors, herbalists and traditional practitioners in various traditional medicine ('muthi') markets and streets. Despite their extensive usage, a checklist of these herbal mixtures has hitherto not been made in the country. Therefore, the aim of the study was to record commercial herbal mixtures sold in the Maseru District of Lesotho, as well as their reported uses and composition. The checklist was attained by undertaking a physical survey in the Maseru market (traditional medicine market) and surrounding streets, recording the different herbal mixtures available in the market. A list of 49 herbal mixtures is presented in the current study, 40 of which are extracted using water, whereas nine are prepared with wine (even though alcohol percentage is not specified). However, new herbal mixtures are continuously being produced and added to the market, making it impossible to have a comprehensive list. The herbal mixtures are either given Sesotho (the native language of Lesotho) or non-Sesotho names, many of which translate into their strength and medicinal use. Many of these mixtures are reported to treat a wide variety of ailments, particularly chronic ones. For example, ‘Makhona-tsohle’ (meaning all-able) is reported to treat arthritis, cancer, diabetes mellitus, fatigue, inflammation, phlegm, sexually transmitted infections, and sores, as well as regulate blood pressure and the menstrual cycle, boost the immune system and cleanse the blood. Even though a list of ailments, dosage, and route of administration is usually provided on the labels of various herbal mixtures, the ingredients and shelf-life are rarely given. The herbal mixtures are usually packaged in plastic or glass bottles. It is evident that herbal mixtures are widely sold in the Maseru District of Lesotho, and their numbers are likely to increase particularly because production of these herbal mixtures is not regulated in the country. Therefore, it is recommended that their efficacy and toxicity be evaluated to ensure safety and effective use.