Many modern medicines have their origins in plants that were often used in the treatment of illness and disease. In fact, plants and their derivatives contribute to more than fifty per cent of all medicine used worldwide.

In this way traditional healers and their medicine played an important role in developing the western medicine.

The following are some plants traditionally used by healers.

Cape Aloe - Aloe ferox (Asphodelaceae)
Commonly known as the Cape aloe, fresh juice made from its leaves, is used in the treatment of conjuctivitis. Powder ground from charred leaves is applied to venereal sores, while ground leaves can be used for snuff.

Bitter aloe is traditionally used in the treatment of arthritis, eczema and hypertension. It is also applied externally to treat skin irritations, burns and bruises.

African Wormwood - Artimesia afra (Asteraceae)
The African Wormwood, as it is also known, is traditionally famous for its aromatic leaves. Bitter-tasting infusions from the leaves are taken as teas for stomach complaints and crushed leaves are commonly inhaled for headaches and colds. This plant is also used in the treatment of measles and malaria.

Powders ground from the plant and suspended in water or milk are made into enemas to treat constipation and intestinal worms. Leaves are sometimes inserted in the nostrils as a precaution against colds.

Buchu - Agothosma betulina (Ruaceae)
This plant is more commonly known as buchu. Only its leaves and roots are used, usually for the treatment of kidney and urinary tract diseases. It is also applied locally to bruises and rheumatic pains. The leaves can also be chewed to relieve stomach complaints and infusions are used against fever, tiredness and congestion of the chest, and to strengthen the body.

Wild Willow - Salix mucronata (Salicaceae)
Commonly known as the wild willow, the branch tips and leaves are used. The willow tips are traditionally used to treat rheumatism and fever. The plant also has anti-inflammatory properties and aspirin, the analgesic, is derived from this plant.

Extracts from these plants are widely used in medicines and homeopathic remedies today.