Africa, the cradle of humankind, has a variety of unique flora and fauna.
Some of these plants have been used as African herbal cures for millennia.
In this article, we sample a few of the great African herbal remedies you are likely to find in Africa.
We also explain where you can find the herbs and the respective ailments that they cure.
Some of these medicinal plants are unique to Africa.
Therefore, whether you are simply on tour or conducting personal or institutional medical research, here are herbs commonly used to treat various disorders in Africa:
African Herbal Cures For Common Ailments and Where To Find Them.
- SOUTHEASTERN KENYA
On an African safari to Chyulu Hills National Park or the Great Mount Kilimanjaro, you are bound to come across the following alternative herbal medicines:
- Warburgia salutaris (also known as the pepper bark tree)
The pepper bark is an endangered tree found in Chyulu Hills National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro.
It is used to treat stomach aches, bloatedness, coughs, malaria, and internal wounds.
Additional uses for the tree include treatment of chest and lung-related problems. It is also used to boost appetite.
- Croton megalocarpoides or croton tree
The bark and leaves of the croton tree are boiled, and their juice is taken to address stomachaches.
2Green croton variant
source: https://pixabay.com/photos/green-leaves-croton-2745641/
It is also used to induce bile release and vomiting when a patient is suspected of having malaria.
- Maesa lanceolata Forssk or false assegai tree.
Another native of the Chyulu Hills National Park is the false assegai tree.
It is used to treat Flu, expel worms (as an anthelmintic), and increase appetite.
The tree is also an African herbal cure for sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., syphilis & gonorrhea).
Communities living around the park also use it for arthritis, backaches, and malaria.
- Rhamnus prinoides L’Hér or Buckthorn-
The buckthorn is an endangered species that addresses Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., syphilis & gonorrhea).
3Buckthorn tree and juice
source: https://pixabay.com/photos/sea-buckthorn-juice-berries-branch-2798599/
It is also instrumental in alleviating arthritis pain, flu/cold symptoms, and pneumonia.
It is a pain reliever and is used for back pains, stomachache, and brucellosis.
The plant also acts as a strength/nutrient supplement and enhances or facilitates digestion.
- Pappea capensis Eckl. & Zeyh or the Indaba tree.
The Indaba tree is a traditional cure used by the Masai people.
Specifically, it is taken by Masai Morans (warriors) as a strength/nutrient supplement, an appetizer, and is also used to enhance/facilitate digestion.
- Usnea sp. (also known as Old man’s beard or tree moss) is another common remedy used to alleviate fever.
- COASTAL KENYA
On a Kenyan beach safari, you are likely to encounter the Giriama and Mijikenda people, some of the indigenous tribes at the Coast.
For ages, they have successfully employed traditional herbal cures to most disorders.
The following are some examples of their alternative herbal medicine:
- Cassia afrofistula Brenan (also known as African-pipe Cassia)
The roots and bark of this tree are boiled and taken to suppress the growth of prostate and ovarian cancer cells.
4Cassia afrofistula in bloom
source: https://unsplash.com/photos/hbfj_AqDMpk
The tree’s leaves may also be chewed or boiled, then taken by men to heighten their sperm’s dynamic activity.
- Sterculia appendiculata K. Schum (locally known as mfune)
It is a large deciduous tree whose roots are boiled and administered three times a day to treat HIV/ AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.
- Senna singueanna (locally called Muhumbu or simply Senna)
The Senna tree is a powerhouse insofar as African herbal remedies go.
The sap from its leaves is taken as a cure for malaria.
The tree’s dried leaves are powdered and applied on fresh wounds to help the blood clot faster, thus aiding in healing.
The tree’s flowers are crushed and applied locally as a cure for eye infections.
The fruit is crushed to a pulp, cooked, and fed to lactating mothers as a lactogenic and aids in milk production.
The roots of the tree are used as a cure for venereal diseases. The ash from these burnt roots is mixed with porridge and used as a remedy for abdominal pain.
5The Senna tree
source: https://pixabay.com/photos/senna-smooth-senna-3626795/
- THE MOUNT KENYA REGION
On the foothills of Mount Kenya, are numerous herbal cures. The following are just a few of the key ones:
- Centella Asiatica (or Indian Pennywort)
The Indian Pennywort is used to treat syphilis, leprosy and as a tonic for fever.
The plant is also handy in management of fresh wounds, ulcers, burns, keloids and hemorrhoids.
To be administered, its leaves are boiled to make herbal tea.
- Withania Somnifera (also known as Indian Ginseng)
Indian ginseng or Winter Cherry is an ayurvedic cure for numerous ailments.
It can be used to manage gastric ulcers, skin rashes and common colds.
It is also used to treat tuberculosis, rheumatism, epilepsy, asthma, and coughs.
The Mount Kenya locals also use it as an aphrodisiac.
- Sclerocarya Birrea (the Amarula tree)
While the Amarula fruit is used to make Amarula cream liqor, the tree still packs a herbal punch.
Traditionally, its bark has served as an indispensable cure for dysentery, liver problems and rheumatism.
To sum up, these are just the tip of the iceberg as far as alternative natural medicine in Africa is concerned.
Not only is the African continent known for its wildlife, but it is also an unadulterated nature’s pharmacy.
The Masai are a robust jungle population who hardly rely on contemporary medicine and have used these herbal cures for centuries. Visit Ajkenyasafaris.com and learn more about their centuries old culture.
