Ethnobotanical Approach
This approach entails selecting plants used in traditional medicine on the reason-
able premise that remedies used to treat a certain ailment may have an associated
biological activity. To enhance chances of success in detecting significant biologi-
cal activity, we have concentrated on plants used to treat easily diagnosed illnesses
such as sores, wounds, and intestinal parasites. Diagnosis by traditional healers of
internal problems, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, is more difficult to
verify. The value of the ethnobotanical approach in our research is highlighted lat-
er in the chapter.
In South Africa, a number of ethnobotanical works have documented the use of
indigenous plants by traditional healers and local communities for various medical
conditions [15–17]. Although some studies on the ethnobotanical uses of plants for
treating livestock and domestic animals in different parts of the country are avail-
able [18–20], this remains a neglected area of ethnobotanical investigation. The
comprehensive, systematic documentation of indigenous knowledge on tradition-
al plant use in South Africa, as indeed in many other countries, is essential before
this knowledge disappears.
This approach entails selecting plants used in traditional medicine on the reason-
able premise that remedies used to treat a certain ailment may have an associated
biological activity. To enhance chances of success in detecting significant biologi-
cal activity, we have concentrated on plants used to treat easily diagnosed illnesses
such as sores, wounds, and intestinal parasites. Diagnosis by traditional healers of
internal problems, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, is more difficult to
verify. The value of the ethnobotanical approach in our research is highlighted lat-
er in the chapter.
In South Africa, a number of ethnobotanical works have documented the use of
indigenous plants by traditional healers and local communities for various medical
conditions [15–17]. Although some studies on the ethnobotanical uses of plants for
treating livestock and domestic animals in different parts of the country are avail-
able [18–20], this remains a neglected area of ethnobotanical investigation. The
comprehensive, systematic documentation of indigenous knowledge on tradition-
al plant use in South Africa, as indeed in many other countries, is essential before
this knowledge disappears.
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