Table 2.

Ethnobotany of the Pedi tribe of Blouberg area, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Family/Voucher number	Plant species	Growth form	Plant part used	Indigenous name(s)	Ethno-medicinal uses	Frequency Index	Mode of administration
Acanthaceae
MNI-18	Blepharis diversispina (Nees) C.B.Clarke.	Herb	Roots	Mookapitsi	Roots are used to treat the deceased’s wife and sexually transmitted infections.	73	Nasal
Amaryllidaceae
MNI-81	Ammocharis coranica (Ker Gawl.) Herb.	Herb	Bulb	Mmotu wa fase	Bulb is used in the treatment of foot ache.	23	Fresh pieces of bulb is cooked and resulting solution is applied directly to affected area.
Anacardiaceae
MNI-82	Mangifera indica L.	Tree	Stem bark	Mo-Mango	Stem bark is used to treat heart infections and diarrhoea	33	Oral
			Fruits		The fruits are edible
MNI-17	Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst.	Tree	Stem bark	Morula	Stem bark is used to treat sexually transmitted infections, a general immune booster for HIV-AIDS patients and as blood purifier. Stem bark is also used to treat ethno-veterinary infections in cattle.	75	Oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible and may be used to prepare home-made beer.
Apiaceae
MNI-20	Peucedanum sulcatum Sond.	Herb	Roots	Mongamo	Roots are used as general medicine	28	Oral.
Apocynaceae
MNI-30	Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl.	Shrub	Roots	Mothokolo	Roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections	33	Oral
			Leaves		Sap from the leaves is used to treat sores and wounds from the body.		Sap and chopped fresh leaves are immersed in hot water overnight and then used to wash wounds
			Fruits		Fruit are edible
MNI-41	Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don	Herb	Roots	Lepolomo	Roots are used to treat skin related infections and “dropsy” a sexually transmissible disease.	30	Oral and topically applied to affected area.
MNI-39	Nerium oleander L.	Shrub	Leaves	Five-roses	Leaves are used to treat tooth ache.	10	Fresh leaves are chopped, immersed in water overnight and used to rinse the mouth.
			Roots		Roots are used to treat diarrhoea.		Oral
MNI-49	Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt	Climber	Whole plant	Moraro	Whole plant used for magical purposes.	58	Blown
MNI-50	Sarcostemma torreyi (A. Grey) Woodson	Climber	Whole plant	Moraroana	Whole plant used for magical purposes.	30	Blown
MNI-33	Raphionacme hirsuta (E.Mey.) R.A.Dyer	Herb	Bulb	Tshengwa	Bulb used to treat sexually transmitted infections and may be carved into a wheel that can be used by boys when playing.	53	Oral
Asparagaceae
MNI-48	Asparagus racemosus Willd.	Herb	Roots	Mophatlalatamaru	Roots are used as food for new-borns	8	Oral, mostly using a bottle for milk.
			Whole plant		Whole plant is used for magical purposes		Burned
Asphodelaceae
MNI-54	Aloe zebrina Baker	Herb	Roots	Tsikele	Roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections	35	Oral
			Whole plant		Whole plant is used for magical purposes. It is believed to dispel witches when grown in a home, both sides of the gate.		–
MNI-79	Aloe marlothii A.Berger.	Shrub	Leaves	Seema ka Maoto	Liquid strained from the leaves is used to treat skin infections including sores and wounds. Leaves are also used to treat ethnoveterinary infections.	15	Topically applied to affected areas.
Asteraceae
MNI-52	Geigeria aspera Harv.	Herb	Whole plant	Makgonatsohle	Whole plant is used to cure various stomach related illnesses.	45	Oral
Boraginaceae
MNI-44	Ehretia rigida (Thumb) Druce subs. Nervifolia Retief & A.E. Van Wyk	Shrub	Roots	Mothobethobe	Roots are used to treat new born infections.	18	Oral using a bottle for milk.
			Fruits		Fruits are edible.
Cactaceae
MNI-51	Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.	Shrub	Roots	Motloro	Roots are used to treat shingles arising from HIV-AIDS	23	Roots are cooked and resulting liquid is used to wash the sores
			Fruits		The fruits are edible
Cannabaceae
MNI-78	Cannabis sativa L.	Herb	Whole plant	Motsokomogolo (Patše)	whole plant is used to treat “Vaal sick” and excessive headache.	28	Inhalation
Caricaceae
MNI-83	Carica papaya L.	Tree	Roots	Mophoophoo	The roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections	25	Oral
			Fruits		The fruits are edible
Caryophyllaceae
MNI-40	Pollichia campestris Aiton	Herb	Roots	Tshimanenyana	Roots are used to treat HIV/AIDS related infections.	15	Oral
Celastraceae
MNI-58	Elaeodendron tranvaalense (Burtt Davy) R.H.Archer	Tree	Stem bark	Monamane	Stem bark is used to treat sexually transmitted infections.	15	Oral
MNI-85	Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes.	Herb	Leaves	Mphato	Leaves are used to treat stomach aches and vomiting.	38	Oral
			Root bark		Root bark is used in the management of HIV-AIDS.		Oral
Combretaceae
MNI-77	Terminalia sericea Burch. ex DC.	Tree	Roots	Monakanakane	Roots are used to strengthen the fontanelle and general immunity of the new born babies.	58	Oral, mostly using a bottle for milk.
			Stem bark		Stem bark is used to treat skin related infections, sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic infections associated with HIV-AIDS.		Oral
Convolvulaceae
MNI-57	Ipomoea alba L.	Climber	Stem bark	Mmolobolo	General medicine	28	Oral
MNI-27	Ipomoea bolusiana Schinz	Herb	Bulb	Mokutu	Bulb is used to treat foot ache and sexually transmitted infections	30	Oral, Boiled in water and then applied with a soft cloth to affected leg without wounds.
MNI-84	Ipomoea spp	Herb	Bulb	Tlola	General medicine, eaten by boys while shepherding the cows, food for rabbits and medicine for wild animals.	10	Oral
MNI-34	Ipomoea albivenia Sweet	Climber	Bulb	Leshilahlole	Bulb is used to treat infertility in women.	15	Oral
Cucurbitaceae
MNI-36	Cucumis hirsutus Sond.	Herb	Roots	Mokapane	Roots are used to treat deceased’s wife.	65	Nasal
			Leaves		Leaves are used to enhance fertility in women.		Oral
Ebenaceae
MNI-99	Euclea natalensis A.DC.	Shrub	Roots	Mokgokgono	Roots are used for magical purposes.	10	Burned
			Fruits		Fruits are edible
MNI-76	Euclea undulata Thunb.	Tree	Stem bark	Mokwerekwere	Stem bark is used is used to treat diarrhoea	50	Oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible
Euphorbiaceae
MNI-59	Jatropha erythropoda Pax & K.Hoffm.	Herb	bulb	Thotamadi	Bulb used as blood purifier	25	Oral
MNI-29	Jatropha zeyheri Sond.	Herb	Roots	Sefapabadia	Root is used in the treatment of eye infections, gynaecological complaints and sexually transmitted infections. Roots are also used to treat ethno-veterinary infections in cattle.	65	Oral, Roots are immersed in water and used to wash infected eyes daily
MNI-45	Tragia dioica Sond.	Herb	Whole plant	Mmabetjane	Whole plant is used to cure sores in the stomach.	20	Oral
Fabaceae
MNI-60	Acacia karroo Hayne	Tree	Roots	Mooka	Roots are used to treat diarrhoea.	15	Oral.
MNI-94	Bauhinia galpinii N.E.Br.	Shrub	Roots	Mohohoma	Roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections	10	Oral
MNI-26	Cassia abbreviata Oliv.	Shrub	Roots	Monepenepe	Roots and stem bark are used in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Roots are also used to treat mellitus diabetes.	45	Oral
			Stem bark		Stem bark may be used as an aphrodisiac for men, anti-poison and used as a general immune booster for HIV-AIDS patients. Stem barks are used in doctoring of homesteads before the rainy season, preventing the homesteads from lightning.		Oral
			Leaves		Leaves are also used to treat ethno-veterinary infections in cattle.		Oral
MNI-75	Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn.	Tree	Leaves	Moretshe	Leaves are used to treat vomiting, while thorns are used for magical purposes.	18	Oral
MNI-18	Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels	Herb	Roots	Mohauwane	Roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections, blood purifier, eye infections and as a general medicine. Roots are also used to treat ethno-veterinary infections in cattle.	85	Oral, Rinsing is applied to eyes after being infused in water overnight.
MNI-21	Elephantorrhiza burkei Benth.	Herb	Roots	Mohauwane	Roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections, blood purifier, eye infections and as a general medicine. Roots are also used to treat ethno-veterinary infections in cattle.	90	Oral
MNI-74	Erythrina lysistemon Hutch.	Tree	seeds	Mo-Khupe	Magical purposes.	20	–
MNI-85	Kirkia acuminata Oliv.	Tree	Sap from stem bark	Modumela	Sap is used to treat a fractured bone and is believed to accelerate healing. Sap also used for general well-being.	10	Stem is cut and resulting protruding sap is collected dried, ground and applied to fractured bone.
MNI-10	Peltophorum africanum Sond.	Tree	Leaves	Mosehla	Leaves are used to treat ethno-veterinary infections in cattle.	78	Oral
			Roots/ stem bark		Roots and stem bark are used to treat sexually transmitted infections, stomach and skin related infections		Oral
MNI-80	Schotia brachypetala Sond.	Tree	Whole plant	Molope	Whole plant are used to treat diarrhoea	15	Oral
MNI-42	Neorautanenia mitis (A. Rich) Verdc	Herb	Bulb	Letlopya	Bulb is used to treat foot ache	30	Boiled plant material is topically applied to legs
MNI-17	Urginea sanguinea Schinz	Herb	Bulb	Sekanama	Bulbs are used to treat sexually transmitted infections and as a blood purifier. Bulbs are also used to treat ethno-veterinary infections.	48	Oral
Hypoxidaceae
MNI-61	Hypoxis haemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall.	Herb	Bulb	Monna wa maledu	Bulb is used as an aphrodisiac for men and used as a general immune booster for HIV-AIDS patients	50	Oral
MNI-42	Neorautanenia mitis (A. Rich) Verdc	Herb	Bulb	Letlopya	Bulb is used to treat foot ache	30	Fresh pieces of bulb is cooked and resulting solution is applied directly to affected area topically.
Loganiaceae
MNI-67	Strychnos spinosa Lam.	Tree	Stem bark	Mokwakwa	Stem bark is used to treat diarrhoea and other related infections	20	Oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible.
MNI-66	Strychnos madagascariensis Poir.	Tree	Roots	Morutla	Roots are used to treat foot ache and mouth ulcers associated with HIV-AIDS.	58	Ground roots are powdered and applied directly on infected area
Malvaceae
MNI-73	Adansonia digitata L.	Tree	Stem bark	Motsoo	Stem bark is used to treat opportunistic fungal infections, mostly associated with HIV-AIDS.	35	Oral
				Fruits	Fruit are edible
MNI-16	Azanza garckeana (F.Hoffm.) Exell & Hillc.	Tree	Stem bark	Motlobya	Stem bark is used to treat painful joints in aged individuals	5	Oral
				Fruits	Fruit are edible
			Roots		Roots are used to treat heart related and high blood pressure in adults.		Oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible.
MNI-24	Grewia flava DC.	Herb	Roots	Mothetlwa	Roots are used to cure sexually transmitted infections and excessive diarrhoea.	53	Oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible and may be collected dried and then mixed with a little mealie meal, cooked into porridge, which may be eaten alone during drought years.
MNI-62	Grewia flavescens Juss.	Herb	Roots	Mopharatshwene	Roots are used as “disha” for the new born.	20	Oral, mostly using a bottle for milk.
			Fruits		Fruits are edible
MNI-95	Grewia spp	Shrub	Roots	Mowana	Roots are used as “disha” for the new born.	23	Oral, mostly using a bottle for milk.
			Fruits		Fruits are edible
MNI-25	Waltheria indica L.	Herb	Roots	Mokhutesela	Roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections and stomach problems. Also used as food and stomach coolant for new born babies.	70	Oral
MNI-32	Sida cordifolia L.	Herb	Whole plant	Mokadi	Whole plant us used to treat high blood pressure	15	Oral
Meliaceae
MNI-71	Melia azeadarach L.	Tree	Leaves	Mosara	Leaves are used to treat infections associated with HIV-AIDS including shingles	30	Chopped fresh leaves are boiled and then liquid used to wash the affected area
Mesembryanthemaceae
MNI-86	Carbobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br.	Herb	Leaves	Tima	Leaves are used to treat an STI known as “Tshofela” and may also be used to treat shingles associated with HIV-AIDS.	43	Topically applied to affected area.
Myrtaceae
MNI-72	Psidium guajava L.	Shrub	Roots	Mo-Guava	Stomach ache and diarrhoea in adults.	58	Oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible
Olacaceae
MNI-87	Ximenia caffra Sond.	Tree	Roots	Motshidikgomo	Roots are used to treat sexually transmitted infections.	30	Oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible
MNI-70	Ximenia americana L.	Shrub	Roots	Motshidimphiswane	Roots are used in the treatment of asthma, stomach ache and various mouth ulcers associated with HIV-AIDS.	26	Oral, ground fruit is used to wash the ulcers.
			Fruits		Fruits are edible
Pedaliaceae
MNI-46	Pterodiscus kellerianus Schinz.	Herbs	Roots	Moyane	Fleshy roots are used to treat stomach aches in new-born babies	45	Oral, mostly using a bottle for milk.
Phyllanthaceae
MNI-56	Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle	Shrub	Branches	Mohlakaume	Branches are used for magical purposes.	10	Blown
			Fruits		Fruit are edible
Poaceae
MNI-63	Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.	herb	Whole plant	Mothlakatlhaka	Whole plant may be used to cure tonsils.	8	Grass is boiled in a tin with about 500 ml water and then applied to affected areas.
Polygalaceae
MNI-69	Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen.	Shrub	Root bark	Mphesu	Root bark is used as an aphrodisiac for men	73	Root barks are ground into powder which is taken orally with mageu.
			Root kernel		Root kernel is used to treat Headache		Dried kernels are burned and then inhaled.
Punicaceae
MNI-88	Punica granatum L.	Shrub	Roots	Mokgarenate	Root are used to cure diarrhoea, mostly in HIV-positive patients and other related infections	8	The roots are dried and ground into powder which must be licked by mouth.
				Fruits	Fruits are edible
Rhamnaceae
MNI-91	Ziziphus mucronata Willd.	Tree	Roots	Mokgalo	Roots are used to treat stomach infections. Roots may also be used to manage HIV and HIDS.	10	Oral
			Leaves		Leaves are used to treat burns and tonsils		Leaves are removed and then chewed by mouth, applied surrounding the affected area
			Fruits		Fruit are edible
Rubiaceae
MNI-89	Gardenia volkensii K.Schum.	Shrub	Branches	Morala	Stem bark is used to treat chest complaints and tuberculosis related infections.	10	Oral
			Stem bark		The branches are cut into pieces which will be mixed with other medicines to doctor homesteads (Magical).		Burned
MNI-64	Vangueria infausta Burch.	Tree	Branches	Mmilo	Branches used in doctoring of homesteads	23	Blown
			Fruits		Fruit are edible
Salantaceae
MNI-96	Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.	Shrub	Roots	Mphere	Roots are used for magical purposes.	35	Burned
Sapotaceae
MNI-68	Mimusops zeyheri Sond.	Tree	Roots	Monupudu	Roots are used to treat syphilis (sexually transmissible disease), stomach ache and gynaecological infections.	10	Oral
			Fruit		Fruit is edible
Scrophulariaceae
MNI-47	Aptosimum lineare Marloth & Engl.	Herb	Whole plant	Popeloana	Whole plant is used to treat gynaecological complaints	17	Oral
Solanaceae
MNI-90	Solanum aculeastrum Dunal	Herb	Roots	Morola	Roots are used to treat stomach aches.	30	Oral
MNI-95	Solanum mauritianum Scop.	Shrub	Roots	Mothollo	Roots are used to treat stomach aches.	53	Oral
MNI-100	Solanum panduriforme E.Mey.	Herb	Roots	Morolana	Roots are used to treat stomach aches.	30	Oral
MNI-93	Solanum supinum Dunal	Herb	Roots	Morola	Roots are used to treat stomach aches.	15	Oral
MNI-92	Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal	Herb	Roots	Mosalamaropeng	Roots are used to treat infertility and other gynaecological related infections.	35	Oral
Talinaceae
MNI-35	Talinum caffrum (Thumb.) Eckl. & Zeyhr.	Herb	Roots	Peloana	Fleshy harvested roots are used to treat heart related infections.	15	Oral
Vitaceae
MNI-22	Cissus quadrangularis L.	Climber	Whole plant	Mohlabadipoo	Whole plant is used to treat sexually transmitted infections and skin related infections. Stems are also used to treat ethno-veterinary infections in cattle.	73	Both oral and Topically applied to affected area.
MNI-65	Vitis vinifera L.	Climber	Roots	Moterebe	Roots are used to treat high blood pressure in adults	12	oral
			Fruits		Fruits are edible.
MNI-31	Cissus cornifolia (Baker) Planch.	Herb	Bulb	Mokgoo	Bulb is used as a general medicine	33	Oral
			Fruits		Fruit are edible
Xanthorhoeaceae
MNI-43	Bulbine angustifolia Poelln.	Herb	Roots	Marumo a ngata	Roots are used as an aphrodisiac and for general well-being of men	30	Oral