Useful Plants - Starke Ayres Garden Centre

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
Medicinal plants often have strongly scented leaves. This fragrance comes from chemicals in the
leaves. And it’s these chemicals that kill many of the sickness-causing germs in our bodies.
Getting these useful chemical out of the plants and into medicine in the right amounts takes
years of training, knowledge and skill.
For centuries, traditional healers have used different methods to make medicine. One way is to
make an infusion by putting a certain amount of fresh or dried leaves in boiling water and letting
it stand for a few minutes, like making tea. To make a stronger brew, known as a decoction, the
leaves are boiled for a longer time. Another way is to make a tincture whereby the plant material
is soaked in a particular liquid (often vinegar, brandy or wine), allowing the chemicals to dissolve
into the liquid.
FIGHTING COLDS AND FLU
For children, elderly people and those with chronic medical conditions, flu can lead to lifethreatening
chest infections. Many people in Africa do not have access to modern medicine and
rely on traditional African cold and flu remedies. Many indigenous plants have been and are still
used today for their medicinal properties.
THIRST-QUENCHING PLANTS
Many indigenous plants are used to make tea, wine and beer. These traditional drinks are often
highly nutritious and healthy, enriching the diet of many people. Sorghum and many kinds of
fruits and berries are used to brew ‘beer’ while palm sap is used to make ‘wine’. Then there are
the many different plants used to make ‘tea’, the best-known being Rooibos Tea (Aspalanthus
linearis) and Honeybush Tea (Cyclopia spp.).
WILD BUSH TEA (ROOIBOS AND HONEYBUSH)
South Africans have been drinking tea made from wild plants for hundreds of years. Our most
famous brews are Rooibos Tea and Honeybush Tea. Both are made from plants that grow
naturally in the mountains of the Cape and were discovered by the Khoisan people. They contain
no caffeine, have lower tannin content than oriental teas and are rich in anti-oxidants.
Rooibos and Honeybush Tea both belong to the pea and bean family, Fabaceae, also known as
the legume family. The tips of the shoots are harvested, chopped and allowed to oxidise for a
few days. After being laid out in the sun to dry, they are sieved and packaged.
Rooibos Tea (Red Bush Tea) is made from Aspalanthus linearis and gets its name from the reddich
colour of the tea. Honeybush Tea is made from Cyclopis species (several species can be used), and
gets its name from the honey flavour of the tea. As well as the popular warm tea, Rooibos and
Honeybush Tea can be served cold or mixed with fruit juices for a refreshing summer drink.

REMEMBER THAT ‘NATURAL’ DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN ‘SAFE’ AND
SOME OF THESE PLANTS MAY CAUSE HARM IS USED INCORRECTLY.
THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED HERE IS THANKS TO KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS.
Eriocephalus africanus – Asteraceae, daisy family (common names include wild rosemary). A sprig
of wild rosemary in a cup of boiling water will soothe a cough or cold.

Tetradenia riparia - Lamiaceae, mint and sage family (common names include iboza and misty
plume bush). A tea made with iboza leaves is taken to stimulate digestion as well as to soothe
colic and nausea. The tea is also ingested as an old remedy for coughs, colds, sore throat, flu and
fever.

Helichrysum cymosum – Asteraceae, daisy family (common names include gold carpet and
imphepho). Leaves of the gold carpet are used on wounds to prevent infection. When brewed
into tea or boiled in milk, the leaves are used to treat coughs and colds.

Agathosma spp. – Potaceae (rue, buchu and citrus family). Buchu is used to make tea and brandy
tinctures which are also excellent general health tonics.
Agathosma ovata – Rutaceae, citrus family (common names include false buchu and
basterboegoe). Tea or buchu brandy made with false buchu leaves can be used to treat coughs
and colds.

Athrixia phylicoides – Asteraceae, daisy family (common names include daisy tea bush, Zulu tea
and bostee). Leaves of the daisy tea bush are used to brew a pleasant-tasting and health-giving
tea.
Leonotis leonurus - Lamiaceae, mint and sage family (common names include wildedagga and
lion’s ear). A tea made with wildedagga flowers is a soothing treatment for headaches.

Geranium incanum – Geraniaceae, geranium family (common names include carpet geranium and
bergtee). Carpet geranium is used as a tea substitute that is also useful for treating colic and
diarrhoea. This herbal tea is also useful as a digestive and for bladder infections.
Metha longifolia – Lamiaceae, sage and mint family (common names include wild mint and
kruisement). Wild mint contains decongestant volatile oils and is used to treat colds, coughs and
other bronchial ailments.

Polygala myrtifolia – Polygalaceae, milkwort family (common names include September bush).
Whole plants of the September bush are used to make traditional medicines, including headache
remedies.
OTHER USEFUL PLANTS
Salvia africana-lutea (golden sage) is excellent for coughs, colds and bronchitis. Chewing the
leaves also eases a sore throat.
Rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary) is one of the most well-known herbs, and rightly so as it is an
energiser of note! The prostrate variety, R. lavadulaceus, aids circulation and is a natural antiinflammatory.
A daily dose of fresh rosemary tea works wonders if one suffers is stress, depression,
anxiety or hair loss. The benefits of rosemary include improved concentration and memory.
Thymus citriodorus (Lemon Thyme), Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm), Matricaria recutita
(Chamomile), Lavandula augustifolia v. augustifolia (English Lavender) or Mentha piperita
(Chocolate Mint) makes a good base for herbal tea infusions. Get experimental and combine your
own flavours to suit your pallet and needs. It need not be bitter either; add a bit of honey with a
splash of fresh lemon juice for fresh sweetness.