Table 2.
Plants used as folk cosmeceuticals among rural communities in Vhembe district municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa
| Scientific name (Voucher number) |
aCommon name(s) | Family | Part(s) used | bF | Use-value | cRFC | Method of preparation and administration | Life-form | dLocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Acmella caulirhiza Delile Syn: Eclipta filicaulis Schumach. & Thonn. (MVS 007) |
Tshishengeraphofu (V) |
Compositae/ Asteraceae |
Leaves | 2 | 0.042 | 0.03 |
The leaves are crushed and mixed with water to wash wounds to enhance healing. The crushed leaves are infused in water to wash sores. The powder of the crushed leaves is mixed with saliva and applied topically for wound healing |
Herb |
LVB TKM |
|
Albizia harveyi E.Fourn. (MVS 019) |
Molela (X) paperbark false-thorn (E) |
Leguminosae/ Fabaceae |
Roots | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The roots are burned and applied to remove rash | Tree | SGL |
|
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Syn: Aloe barbadensis Mill. (MVS 031) |
Mhangani (X)/ Tshikopa (V) Aloe (E) |
Xanthorrhoeaceae | Leaves | 5 | 0.084 | 0.07 | The liquid from the leaves is applied topically to remove ringworms, moisturize the skin, remove stretch marks, rash and to heal burned skin and wound | Herb |
LVB TMTL TKM FLVD SGL |
|
Annona senegalensis Pers. (MVS 005) |
Muembe (V) African Custard-apple (E) |
Annonaceae | Twigs | 11 | 0.014 | 0.15 | The twig is crushed and used as a toothbrush to clean the teeth | Shrub |
TKM LVB |
|
Bauhinia thonningii Schum. Syn: Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redh (MVS 018) |
Xidengana/ denga (X) camel’s foot (E) |
Leguminosae/ Fabaceae |
Fruit | 5 | 0.070 | 0.07 |
The fruit is burned and mixed with oil which is applied on ringworms, sores and for treating skin irritation. The liquid from fruit applied to remove pimples and wounds |
Shrub | SGL |
|
Bidens pilosa L. (MVS 047) |
Mushidzhi (V) Black jack (E) |
Compositae/ Asteraceae |
Leaves Fruit |
1 | 0.038 | 0.01 |
The leaves are crushed and the liquid is applied on wounds. The fruit juice is mixed with ashes to remove rash |
Herb | LVB |
|
Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck (MVS 002) |
Tshikavhave (V) Lemon (E) |
Rutaceae | Fruit | 3 | 0.056 | 0.04 | Juice from the fruit is applied on the skin for moisturizing, removing wrinkles, scars and pimples | Tree |
TKM FLVD SGL |
|
Citrus reticulata Blanco (MVS 050) |
Swiri (V) Orange (E) |
Rutaceae | Fruit | 2 | 0.038 | 0.03 | The fruit juice is applied on the skin to clean and soften it | Tree | LVB |
|
Combretum imberbe Wawra (MVS 038) |
Mondzo (X) Leadwood (E) |
Combretaceae | Bark | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The bark is ground and mixed with water to remove sores by bathing | Tree | SGL |
|
Cussonia spicata Thunb (MVS 040) |
Musenzhe (V) Cabbage tree (E) |
Araliaceae | Leaves | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The leaves are crushed and applied as a paste on ringworms | Tree | TKM |
|
Dicerocaryum zanguebarium (Lour.) Merr. (MVS 022) |
Dinda (X) /museto (V) Boot protectors (E) |
Pedaliaceae | Leaves | 61 | 0.042 | 0.85 | The leaves are mixed with water for bathing; also relaxes hair and removes dandruff | Herb |
TKM TMTK LVB KKN FLVD SGL |
|
Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. Syn: Acacia cinerea (L.) Spreng. (MVS 011) |
Murenzhe (V) Sickle bush (E) |
Leguminosae/ Fabaceae |
Fruit Bark |
2 | 0.042 | 0.03 |
The fruit is burned and the ashes applied for wound healing. The bark is crushed and mixed with oil to remove ringworms. The bark is boiled and water used to wash the wound |
Shrub |
TKM KKN |
|
Diospyros lycioides Desf. (MVS 025) |
Muthala (V) Quilted Bluebush (E) |
Ebenaceae |
Twigs Fruit |
3 | 0.038 | 0.04 |
The twig is crushed to clean the teeth. The fruit is juice is mixed with water to wash wounds |
Shrub |
TKM LVB |
|
Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC. (MVS 017) |
Ntoma (X) Musuma (V) Jackal berry (E) |
Ebenaceae |
Fruit Leaves Twigs |
5 | 0.042 | 0.07 |
Liquid from the leaves and fruit are applied on skin for eradicating ringworms. The twig is crushed to clean the teeth |
Tree |
TMTK TKM KKN SGL |
|
Diospyros natalensis (Harv.) Brenan (MVS 043) |
Xintomatomane (X) Acorn Jackal-berry (E) |
Ebenaceae | Twigs | 3 | 0.014 | 0.04 | The tip of twig is crushed and used to clean the teeth | Tree | SGL |
|
Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst.) Planch (MVS 036) |
Tshiluvhari (V) Wild Pear/plum (E) |
Malvaceae | Leaves | 1 | 0.038 | 0.01 | The leaves are crushed and mixed with water to wash and dye hair | Tree | KKN |
|
Euclea divinorum Hiern (MVS 013) |
Nhlangula (X) /mutangule (V) Magic guarri (E) |
Ebenaceae | Leaves | 7 | 0.084 | 0.10 | The crushed leaves are mixed with water or the leaves are boiled and used for bathing to remove skin irritation, ringworms, rash, pimples, chickenpox | Shrub |
LVB KKN TKM SGL |
|
Eugenia capensis subsp. natalitia (Sond.) F.White Syn: Eugenia natalitia Sond (MVS 001) |
Tshitanzwa-tanzwane (V) Forest Myrtle (E) |
Myrtaceae | Roots | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The roots are ground and soaked in water to wash sores. | Shrub | TMTK |
|
Gardenia volkensii K. Schum. (MVS 020) |
Tshiralala (V) bushveld gardenia (E) |
Rubiaceae | Flowers | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The flower is mixed with water to bathe for controlling odour | Tree | FLVD |
|
Helinus integrifolius (Lam.) Kuntze (MVS 032) |
Mpupungwa/ mugumwa (V) Soap Bush/Plant (E) |
Rhamnaceae | Leaves | 13 | 0.038 | 0.18 | The leaves are mixed with water to make foam to bathe and wash hair. | Shrub |
TKM TMTK |
|
Heteromorpha arborescens (Spreng.) Cham. & Schltdl. (MVS 008) |
Muthathavhanna (V) Parsley tree (E) |
Apiaceae | Leaves | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The leaves are squashed and applied as a paste for healing burned skin | Tree | LVB |
|
Hyperacanthus amoenus (Sims) Bridson (MVS 049) |
Murombe (V) Spiny-gardenia (E) |
Rubiaceae | Fruit | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The fruit called thomba liquid, it is applied on the skin for removing pimples | Shrub | TKM |
|
Indigofera arrecta Hochst. A. Rich (MVS 034) |
Muswiswa (V) Java indigo (E) |
Leguminosae/ Fabaceae |
Twigs Leaves |
2 | 0.042 | 0.03 |
The twig is crushed and used to clean the teeth. The tip of the twig is crushed and is dipped in ashes to clean teeth The leaves are infused in water for bathing |
Herb | TKM |
|
Jatropha curcas L. Syn: Castiglionia lobata Ruiz & Pav. (MVS 004) |
Mupfure donga (V) Barbados nut Bubblebush (E) |
Euphorbiaceae |
Stem Leaves Roots |
6 | 0.038 | 0.08 |
Liquid from crushed leaves and stems are applied to moisturize the skin. The roots are ground and soaked in water to wash wounds |
Shrub |
TMTK TKM |
|
Jatropha zeyheri Sond. Syn: Jatropha brachyadenia Pax & K.Hoffm. (MVS 052) |
Xidemeja (X) | Euphorbiaceae | Leaves | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The leaves are squashed and applied as a paste for wound healing | Herb | SGL |
|
Lannea schweinfurthii var. stuhlmannii (Engl.) Kokwaro Syn: Lannea stuhlmannii Engl. (MVS 039) |
Ndivata (X) False marula (E) |
Anacardiaceae | Leaves | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The leaves are crushed and smeared on wounds for healing | Tree | SGL |
|
Lippia javanica (Burm. f.) Spreng (MVS 041) |
Musudzungwane (V) Fever tea (E) |
Verbenaceae | Leaves | 4 | 0.038 | 0.05 |
The leaves are rubbed on the skin for the treatment of rash. The leaves are crushed and rubbed with oil on the body for the treatment of rash. |
Shrub |
TKM TMTK KKN |
|
Musa acuminata Colla (MVS 028) |
Muova (V) Banana (E) |
Musaceae |
Flowers Leaves |
4 | 0.038 | 0.05 | Liquid from leaves and flower are applied for treating wounds and burned skin | Tree |
TKM LVB |
|
Obetia tenax Friis Syn: Urera tenax N.E. Br. (MVS 006) |
Thanga (V) Rock tree (E) |
Urticaceae | Seeds | 2 | 0.014 | 0.03 | The seeds are ground to moisturize the skin | Tree |
TMTK FLVD |
|
Peltophorum africanum Sond. (MVS 012) |
Musese (V) African Black Wattle (E) |
Leguminosae/ Fabaceae |
Bark | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The bark is boiled and drunk to heal mouth sores | Tree | TMTK |
|
Persea americana Mill. (MVS 052) |
Afukhada (V) Avocado (E) |
Lauraceae |
Seeds Fruit |
6 | 0.042 | 0.08 |
The seeds are crushed and used as face-wash to remove blackheads on the skin. The fruit is rubbed on the skin to moisturize and soften it |
Tree |
TKM KKN FLVD |
|
Phragmites mauritianus Kunth (MVS 014) |
Lutanga (V) Lowveld Reed (E) |
Poaceae |
Thorns whole plant |
3 | 0.038 | 0.04 |
The thorn is used to prickle and remove moles. The whole plant is burned and the ashes applied for removal of stretch marks. |
Grass |
TMTK TKM |
|
Pouzolzia mixta Solms Syn: Pouzolzia huillensis Hiern (MVS 009) |
Muthanzwa (V) Snuggle-leaf (E) |
Urticaceae | Roots | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The roots are crushed to powder and applied on a wound to heal it. | Shrub | TMTK |
|
Ricinus communis L. (MVS 016) |
Nhlampfurha (X) mupfure (V) Castor oil plant |
Euphorbiaceae | Seeds | 20 | 0.042 | 0.28 | Oil from the fried seeds are used for moisturizing the skin and hair | Shrub |
TKM TMTK LVB FLVD SGL |
|
Salacia rehmannii Schinz. (MVS 026) |
Phathatsimima (V) | Celastraceae | Roots | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The roots are ground and mixed with water to wash sores | Shrub | TMTK |
|
Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst. (MVS 033) |
Murula (V) Marula (E) |
Anacardiaceae |
Stem Seeds |
2 | 0.042 | 0.03 |
The stem is burned and applied to wounds. The seeds are ground and mixed with water till it becomes soft to moisturize the skin and as anti-aging |
Tree |
LVB FLVD |
|
Searsia lancea (L.f.) F.A.Barkley (MVS 045) |
Mushakaladzane (V) Karee (E) |
Anacardiaceae | Leaves | 5 | 0.042 | 0.07 |
The leaves are crushed and mixed with water to clean the skin and to treat rashes. The leaves are boiled in water to bathe to remove pimples |
Tree |
LVB KKN FLVD |
|
Senna occidentalis (L.) Link Syn: Cassia occidentalis L. (MVS 037) |
Nembenembe (X) Munembenembe (V) Coffee senna (E) |
Leguminosae/ Fabaceae |
Leaves | 2 | 0.038 | 0.03 | The leaves are crushed and made as a paste to apply on burned skin and for wound healing | Shrub |
LVB SGL |
|
Setaria acromelaena (Hochst.) T.Durand & Schinz (MVS 046) |
Xihovane (X) Bristle Grass (E) |
Poaceae | Stem | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The stem is crushed and infused with water to remove sores. | Grass | SGL |
|
Sida cordifolia L. (MVS |
Mutudo (V) Flannel Weed (E) |
Malvaceae | Roots | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The roots are burned and the ashes are applied for wound healing | Herb |
TKM TMTK |
|
Solanum panduraeforme Dunal (MVS 035) |
Mututulwa (V) Apple of Sodom (E) |
Solanaceae | Fruit | 2 | 0.042 | 0.03 |
The fruit is burned and applied after incision on ringworms. The liquid is applied to heal a wound and chickenpox. |
Herb | TKM |
|
Solanum tuberosum L. (MVS 048) |
Potato (E) | Solanaceae | Tuber | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The peels of potatoes are rubbed on rash for their removal | Herb | SGL |
|
Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze (MVS 044) |
Vhuri (V) Red witchweed (E) |
Orobanchaceae | Whole plant | 2 | 0.014 | 0.03 | The plant is burned and applied for healing of a wound. | Herb | TMTK |
|
Strychnos spinosa Lam. (MVS 023) |
Muramba (V) Spiny monkey orange |
Loganiaceae | Fruit | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | Fruit juice is applied on ringworms for their removal | Tree |
LVB FLVD |
|
Synadenium cupulare (Boiss.) L.C. Wheeler (MVS 042) |
Muswoswo (V) Crying Tree (E) | Euphorbiaceae | Stem | 2 | 0.014 | 0.03 | Liquid from the cut stem is applied on the skin for the removal of moles | Shrub | TKM |
|
Tabernaemontana elegans Stapf (MVS 029) |
Muhatu (V) Toad tree (E) |
Apocynaceae |
Stem Roots |
2 | 0.038 | 0.03 |
Liquid from the cut stem is applied to the skin for the removal of ringworms. The roots are burned, ground and applied on the skin for the removal of ringworms |
Shrub | LVB |
|
Terminalia sericea Burch, ex DC (MVS 015) |
Nkonono (X) mususu (E) silver cluster-leaf (E) |
Combretaceae |
Roots Leaves |
3 | 0.038 | 0.04 |
The roots are burned and applied on the skin for the removal of pimples. The leaves are crushed and mixed with oil to moisturize the skin |
Tree |
TMTK SGL |
|
Trichilia emetica Vahl (MVS 027) |
Nkuhlu (X) Natal mahogany (E) |
Meliaceae | Seeds | 1 | 0.014 | 0.01 | The seeds are ground to produce oil for moisturizing the skin | Tree | SGL |
|
Unidentified plant species (MVS 003) |
Grass (E) | Poaceae | Whole plant | 4 | 0.038 | 0.05 | The grass is burned and the ashes are applied for healing of sores and wounds. | Grass | SGL |
|
Vernonia fastigiata Oliv. & Hiern (MVS 021) |
Tanyi (V) Narrow-leaved Vernonia (E) |
Compositae/ Asteraceae |
Leaves | 2 | 0.014 | 0.03 | The leaves are crushed and smoothly rubbed on the skin for the removal of wound scars. | Herb | TMTK |
|
Zanthoxylum davyi Waterm. (MVS 024) |
Munungu (V) Fever Tree Knobwood (E) |
Rutaceae |
Roots Leaves Stem |
4 | 0.038 | 0.05 |
The roots are ground and the leaves crushed and applied for wound healing. The crushed stem is used to wash the teeth. |
Tree |
TMTK LVB |
|
Zea mays L. (MVS 48) |
Mufhumbu ha mavhele (V) Maize (E) |
Poaceae | Fruit | 12 | 0.038 | 0.16 |
Cob is ground and mixed with water and used for bathing in order to treat rash. Cob is ground and applied directly to pimples. |
Grass |
TKM LVB TMTK KKN |
aCommon name: V = Venda, E = English, X = Xitsonga; bF = Frequency; cRFC = Relative frequency citation
dLocation: TKM Tshakuma, TMTK Tshamutilikwa, LVB Luvhimbi (Masikhwa), SGL Shigalo, KKN Khakhanwa, FLVD Folovhodwe