Ethnobotanical study of plants used medicinally by Bapedi traditional healers to treat sinusitis and related symptoms in the Limpopo province, South Africa

Abstract

and elsewhere. The present study therefore explored ethnobotanical practices of 132 Bapedi traditional healers (THs) pertinent to these diseases in the three districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Information was accrued using a semi-structured questionnaire in personal interviews, complemented by field observations. A total of 44 plant species belonging to 43 genera and 29 botanical families, mostly the Fabaceae (n=5 spp.) and Asteraceae (n=4 spp.) were documented as being used by THs for sinusitis and related symptoms. Trees (40.9%), followed by herbs (36.3%) and shrubs (22.7%) occupied the highest floristic composition. Roots (43.1%) and leaves (22.7%) were the most preferred parts from these habits for herbal preparation. The most popular species across the surveyed districts for treating sinusitis and related symptoms were Adansonia digitata, Clerodendrum ternatum, Cryptocarya transvaalensis, Enicostema axillare, Kalanchoe brachyloba, Lasiosiphon caffer, Moringa oleifera, Sclerocarya birrea, Siphonochilus aethiopicus and Stylochaeton natalensis, each scoring the highest fidelity level and use value indexes. Most species used by interviewed THs are recorded in this study for the first time as medicines for these ailments.