Medicinal plants used for the treatment of various skin disorders by a rural community in northern Maputaland, South Africa

Helene De Wet,Sandy F van Vuuren,Sibongile Nciki

doi:10.1186/1746-4269-9-51

Abstract

BackgroundSkin diseases have been of major concern recently due to their association with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The study area (northern Maputaland) has the highest HIV infection rate in South Africa, which made them more prone to a wide range of skin conditions. Fungal infections due to the hot climate and overcrowding households are common in this area, as well as burn accidents due to the use of wood as the major fuel for cooking. It is known that the lay people in this area depend on medicinal plants for their primary health care. However no survey has been done in northern Maputaland to document the medicinal plants used to treat various skin disorder.MethodsInterviews were undertaken at 80 homesteads, using structured questionnaires. The focus was on plants used for dermatological conditions and information regarding vernacular plant names, plant parts used, preparation (independently and in various combinations) and application was collected.ResultsA total of 87 lay people, both male (22%) and female (78%) were interviewed on their knowledge of medicinal plants used to treat disorders of the skin. Forty-seven plant species from 35 families were recorded in the present survey for the treatment of 11 different skin disorders including abscesses, acne, burns, boils, incisions, ringworm, rashes, shingles, sores, wounds and warts. When searching the most frequently used scientific databases (ScienceDirect, Scopus and Pubmed), nine plant species (Acacia burkei, Brachylaena discolor, Ozoroa engleri, Parinari capensis, subsp. capensis, Portulacaria afra, Sida pseudocordifolia, Solanum rigescens, Strychnos madagascariensis and Drimia delagoensis) were found to be recorded for the first time globally as a treatment for skin disorders. Fourteen plant combinations were used. Surprisingly, the application of enema’s was frequently mentioned.ConclusionsThe preference of traditional medicine over allopathic medicine by most of the interviewees strengthens previous studies on the importance that traditional medicine can have in the primary health care system in this rural community. Studies to validate the potential of these plants independently and in their various combinations is underway to provide insight into the anti-infective role of each plant.

Highlights

Skin diseases have been of major concern recently due to their association with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
In the United States, skin infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) result in approximately 126 000 hospitalizations while invasive MRSA results in approximately 94 360 infections and 18 650 deaths each year, a rate which exceeds that of AIDS [4]
19 plant species in the present survey correspond with Hutchings’s 190 plant species recorded. This low correlation of plant species is possibly because the research undertaken by Hutchings et al [18] gained most of the information from literature and interviews with nyangas (Zulu herbal doctor’s), whereas this study focused on knowledge from the lay people

Summary

Introduction

Skin diseases have been of major concern recently due to their association with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The study area (northern Maputaland) has the highest HIV infection rate in South Africa, which made them more prone to a wide range of skin conditions. Skin diseases occur worldwide and amount to approximately 34% of all occupational diseases encountered [1]. They affect people of all ages from neonates to the elderly and constitute one of the five reasons for medical consultation. Hot and humid climatic conditions exacerbate skin infections. These factors are problematic in SubSaharan Africa where it was found that over 78 million people were infected with Tinea capitis (a superficial skin infection affecting the scalp) [8]. Mortality rates for skin diseases are relatively low, they impact significantly on the quality of life and are often persistent and are difficult to treat

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