Modern allopathic medicine aims at developing a patentable single compound or “magic bullet” to treat a specific condition, and yet it still has its roots in ancient traditional plant medicine.

Medicinal plants are an important part of human history, culture and tradition, and are often the choice of the client due to few or no side effects.

Plant medicine (phytomedicine) can affect more than one molecular target at once, and due to synergism between complex mixtures of medicinal plants, it may be more useful where the exact cause of disease is not known and where the client aims to restore balance or prefer a natural option with better long-term results.

A single plant may contain bitter substances that stimulate digestion, anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce swelling and pain, phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants and venotonics (that strengthen the walls of veins), antibacterial and anti-fungal tannins that act as natural antibiotics, diuretic substances that enhance the elimination of waste products and toxins and alkaloids that enhance mood and give a sense of well-being.

The usage of herbal teas, herbal mixtures, and standardised and formulated extracts of plants (phytomedicines -tested in humans) is popopular in Germany and other European countries. Commercialisation of traditional herbal remedies in Europe put arnica, milk thistle, nettle, fennel, valerian and chamomile firmly on the map.

African traditional medicine, with generations of proof that it works, is probably the oldest and most diverse of all medicine systems. Famous African medicinal plants include buchu, Cape aloes, Artemisia afra (wormwood – against parasites), rooibos tea, Boswellia (frankincense), myrrh, devil’s claw (against arthritis) and African potato (hypoxis).

Pharmacological studies (on secondary metabolites – natural products) are becoming proof, besides clinical observations and anecdotal proof by practitioners that patients indeed feel better, and these findings can all be backed with blood tests.

Contact the writer, a medical scientist, at 021 975 3777.