TABLE 1.
Summary of Herbal Medicines highlighted in this review.
| Scientific name | Common Name(s) | Native region(s) | Regions/countries commonly used | Plant parts(s)/Preparation | Common traditional (non-COVID-19) therapeutic use(s)/Biological activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrographis paniculate | Green chiretta | India Sri Lanka | Southeast Asia (Thailand), China | Leaf extract | • Stomachache |
| • Inflammation | |||||
| • Pyrexia | |||||
| • Fevers | |||||
| • Loss of appetite | |||||
| • Irregular stools | |||||
| • Diarrhoea | |||||
| Artemisia annua | Sweet wormwood | Asia | Asia; Africa | Dried leaves; tea | • Malaria |
| • Inflammation (e.g., osteoarthritis) | |||||
| • Viral infections | |||||
| • Bacterial infections | |||||
| • Fevers | |||||
| • Cancer | |||||
| Bowiea volubilis | Climbing onion | Southern Africa | Southern Africa | Decoction of crushed fresh bulbs & water | • Dermatological |
| • Sore eyes | |||||
| • Urinary complications | |||||
| • Infertility | |||||
| • Abortion | |||||
| Curcuma longa | Turmeric | South Asia | Widespread | Dried rhizomes | • Ulcers |
| • Allergy | |||||
| • Pain | |||||
| • Inflammation | |||||
| • Liver disorders | |||||
| Glycyrrhizae radix et rhioma | Licorice | West Asia, North Africa, S. Europe | China | Dried root; dried rhizome | • Allergies |
| • Inflammation | |||||
| • Viral infections | |||||
| • Cancer | |||||
| Harpagophytum procumbens | Devil’s claw | Southern Africa | Southern Africa | Dried root/tuber extract | • Rheumatoid arthritis |
| • Osteo arthritis | |||||
| • Pain | |||||
| • Kidney inflammation | |||||
| • Dyspepsia | |||||
| • Fever | |||||
| • Wound healing | |||||
| Hypoxis haemercollidea | African potato | Southern Africa | Southern Africa | Decoction of corms | • HIV/AIDS |
| • Tuberculosis | |||||
| • Cancer | |||||
| • Headache | |||||
| • Dizziness | |||||
| • Ulcers | |||||
| • Seizures | |||||
| • Depression | |||||
| • Anxiety | |||||
| Lessertia frutecens | Cancer bush | Southern Africa | Southern Africa | Decoctions from leaves or bark | • Cancer |
| • Viral infections; specifically, HIV/AIDS | |||||
| Moringa oleifera | Moringa | India | Widespread | Leaf powder: other parts also used | • Diabetes |
| • Inflammation | |||||
| Uncaria tomentosa | Cat’s claw | South/Central America | Widespread | Bark | • Viral infection |
| • Inflammation | |||||
| Vernonia amygdalina | Bitter leaf | Southern Africa | Southern Africa | Leaf infusion | • Diarrhoea |
| • Constipation | |||||
| • Stomachache | |||||
| • Malaria | |||||
| • Diabetes | |||||
| • Cancer | |||||
| • Pyrexia |