CLIMATE CHANGE THREATS ON INDIGENOUS PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND INITIATIVES FOR THE SPECIES’ CONSERVATION IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Indigenous  plants  are  significant  sources  of  medicines  used  to  address  basic  health  carerequirements. Most significantly, the medicine is utilised as a preventative measure. Disease susceptibility is reduced by administering native plant products. Recent years have seen a decline in the number of indigenous plants gathered for preventative medicine due to the negative effects of drought and altered temperature patterns. The current research examined the state of indigenous plants used to make preventative medicine, the possible effects of climate change on the species, and traditional techniques employed to preserve the species for future usage. One hundred and six participants reported that they have knowledge of preventive care, which is accomplished through the administration of indigenous plant-derived remedies. Preventive amulets and salves are created from the roots, leaves, bulbs, bark, and stalks. Unfortunately, some plant species are endangered or extinct as a consequence of drought and rising temperatures. Participants demonstrated that they continue to use traditional conservation strategies to ensure the survival of rare species. This research recommends that the plant species identified by participants be added to the IUCN Red List in order to ensure their continued availability and usage in preventative care

Curative care through administration of plant-derived medicines in Sekhukhune district municipality of Limpopo province, South Africa

Background: Medicinal plants in South Africa are sources of medicine which is administered to cure existing disease in humans and livestock. Plant-derived decoctions, infusions and powders are administered to cure diseases in humans across gender and age groups. The present study was conducted to describe curative medicine derived from indigenous plants.Materials and Methods: Structured-interviews with 100 respondents were conducted to elicit data about the indigenous plantderived medicines administered to cure disease in human beings.Results: Thirty eight species of medicinal plants belonging to 28 families were identified and recorded as sources of medicine administered for curative purposes. Sources of medicine were mostly herbs followed by shrubs, trees, creepers and aloe collected from the communal land. The leaves, bark, roots and bulbs were prepared into decoctions and infusions administered orally and by inhalation and ritual bath to cure varieties of diseases.Conclusion: A rich medical ethnobotanical knowledge is observed. Curative care is offered by traditional health practitioners and ordinary community members with knowledge of plant-derived medicines. The plant-based medicines identified in the study could be tested of their efficacy, validated and used to promote primary health care services at household level.Key words: Primary health care, remedial care, traditional health practitioner, plant medicine, Sekhukhune

CURATIVE CARE THROUGH ADMINISTRATION OF PLANT-DERIVED MEDICINES IN SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Background: Ajuga bracteosa and Viola odorata are frequently used by the native people of Swat-Pakistan for the curing of fever, malaria, cough, urinary and stomach disorders with slightly different practice of usage like raw powdered, extracts, decoction etc. Methods and Materials: Disc Diffusion Method was used for determination of antimicrobial activities of both plants. Nutrient Agar Media was used for the culturing and growth of all microbial strains. Vitamin C and minerals contents were determined by standard method of AOAC. Na and K were analyzed by using flame photometric technique. Micro minerals i.e. “Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca, Pb, and Mg” were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Total Soluble Solid (TSS) was determined by using abbe refractometer and pH was determined by using pH meter. Results: The present study demonstrates that both plants exhibited antibacterial activities against P. aeruginos, E. coli, S. typhi, B. subtilis and S. aureus. The examined plants showed zone of inhibition for aqueous fraction (50.90, 45.90 %) against P. aeruginosa; for EtOAc fraction (41.37, 57.62%) against C. Albicans and for hexane fraction (25.86, 40.57%) against K. pneumoniae, respectively. Total of 14 different minerals (Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd) were determined and it was also observed that both the examined plants contained significant level of these analyzed minerals. The subject plants contained highest level of magnesium (295.75, 145.85 mg 100-1g) and calcium (212.49, 44.00 mg 100-1g) and potassium (152.6, 437.45 mg 100-1g) while moderate level P, Zn, Na and lower amount of Cd, Ni, Mn and Cu using Atomic Absorption, Flame Photometry and spectrophotometric techniques. V. odorata was found to contain a higher amount of vitamin C (64.05±12.37mg 100-1g) as compared to A. bracteosa (45.45 ± 7.29 mg 100-1 g). Conclusion: Findings of this study can persuade researchers for future comprehensive phytochemical study of these plants using state of art techniques and instruments, which include not only isolation of secondary metabolites from these plants but biological evaluation of isolated compounds both in vivo and in vitr

Indigenous plant-derived medicine used by ordinary community members other than traditional health practitioners for preventive health care in Mohlaletsi community in Limpopo province, South Africa

Background: Research on medical ethnobotany shows that ordinary community members in the rural areas have knowledge of self preventive care which is accomplished through administration of plant medicine to prevent the onset of disease and create a sense of well being. Several medicinal plants and traditional medicines derived from them have been used to enhance resistance to several disease agents. The present study documented the indigenous plant-derived medicines used by Mohlaletsi community members to minimize the chances of contracting disease thus promoting good health and well-being.Materials and Methods: Structured interviews were used to collect data among 80 respondents purposely sampled to share knowledge about the use of indigenous plant-derived medicine for preventive health care.Results: The results of the study revealed six indigenous plant species belonging to six families identified as sources of medicine administered for preventive care of primary health care. Preventive medicine is prepared from the mixture of plant parts administered to limit susceptibility to disease and improve the general well-being. The medicine is repeatedly reported to promote good health and well-being of the children by limiting the children’s vulnerability to disease and promote their welfare.Conclusion: Ordinary community members use plant-derived medicine to prevent attack by disease in an effort to promote good health and well-being. This type of preventive care may form the basis for community participation towards the achievement of primary health care needs in the rural areas.Keywords: Preventive health care, health promotion, preventive medicine, well-being, Limpopo Provinc

Socio-economic Characteristics Influencing Small-scale Farming in a Rural Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa

The purpose of this research was to describe the socio-economic elements that influence small-scale farming in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. The research used a qualitative method and randomly chose 100 farmers in the Sekhukhune District Municipality of Limpopo Province. A structured questionnaire was used to conduct the interviews. The generated data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The research found that indigenous crop production was largely determined by six socioeconomic variables: age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, income, and employment. Crops were grown to provide grains, vegetables, and fruits for household consumption. Indigenous crop farming can provide all community members with food security. The research concluded that adverse climate change has effects on food security, and socio-economic aspects might be taken into account in the creation of food security adaptation techniques

Indigenous Medicinal Plants Administered for the Prevention and Treatment of Influenza

Influenza infection remains the most contagious disease and was recently linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. More research is currently designed to explore the potential benefits of indigenous plant-derived medicine to prevent and cure influenza. The purpose of this study was to determine medicinal plants used to treat influenza from a list of 89 plant species identified during previous ethnobotanical research conducted between 2012 and 2019. The study was conducted among four rural communities of Bapedi in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data. The study findings indicate that influenza is a seasonal and highly spread illness. The most often used methods of preventing influenza susceptibility were fumigating one’s residence and courtyard with indigenous plant-derived remedies, administering infusions and decoctions orally, as well as therapeutic steam and incense. Isolation is another method of avoiding influenza from spreading to other family members. Currently, this method is being used to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study’s results augment existing data about indigenous plant-derived medicines that show promise in combating the COVID-19 pandemic

Ethnobotanical Study of Indigenous Plants used by the Members of Mantheding Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa

This study is an ethnobotanical survey conducted in the Limpopo Province (South Africa) with the goal of collecting detailed information about the cultural significance of indigenous plants in human culture. Three hundred and forty semi-structured interviews with traditional health practitioners and community members knowledgeable about plant use yielded ethnobotanical data on a variety of indigenous plant uses. The ethnobotanical data collected produced 77 species belonging to 31 families. The diversity of plants produced 45 sources of medicine, 17 sources of stock feed, 13 sources of technological materials, 10 food sources, and six fuel sources. It was found that most plants (15.5%) have dual uses as sources of food and fodder, as well as sources of fruits that are also used for medicinal purposes and timber for the manufacturing of household utensils. The study findings demonstrated how traditional knowledge about indigenous plants may be leveraged to address some of society’s most pressing issues, including food insecurity, poor health and wellbeing, poverty, and unemployment. The study reported that the rural community’s continued dependence on indigenous plant materials for subsistence is an example of cultural resilience in the pursuit of sustainable development. The research is crucial because it provides information on the plants that remain prominent in Mantheding culture and their many uses in the community’s culture

Rural community perceptions on the impact of climate change on subsistence farming: Mutoko community in Zimbabwe

The present study explores the impact of climate change on subsistence farming in Mutoko community, Zimbabwe. Mutoko is a rural community situated in the eastern part of Zimbabwe. Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges. Its impact is more intense in developing countries, particularly in rural communities which have become a major concern to the societal livelihood. The most affected people are the rural poor because they are highly dependent on climatic and environmental factors in addition to their greater reliance on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and health, posing critical challenges for natural development. Focus group discussions were conducted to explore perceptions of climate change and its impacts on subsistence farming. The study reports community members’ awareness of changes in the local natural environment. The changes are increased temperature and scarcity of rain. Observable impacts of these changes are decreased crop yields because of drought. The findings are supported by observation that Zimbabwe lies in a semi-arid region with limited and unreliable rainfall patterns and temperature variations. Rainfall exhibits considerable spatial and temporal variability. It is concluded that the impact of climate change on subsistence farming is real and is negatively affecting food security in the study area

The shifting image of black women’s hair in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa

In this article, we explore the motivations for the changing image of black South African women’s hair in Tshwane, Pretoria. We argue that black South African women’s hair, in the past, as in the present, has largely been misconstrued. We demonstrate that like all black South African inhabitants, South African women’s hair has had its own fair share of ridicule, ostracizing, and racial classification. As a result of this, black South African women’s hair is constantly in motion, searching for recognition and appreciation. The article is based on a review of literature and interviews conducted with 30 black South African women in Tshwane, Pretoria, from July to September in 2015 and in August 2016