T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15

Research Article IJTCM (2019), 4:15

International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine ( (ISSN:2474-1361)

A survey of South African species used for the treatment of “u wela” in Venda culture, Limpopo Province T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo*

University of Limpopo, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Department of Biodiversity, Private BagX1106, Sovenga, 0727,

ABSTRACT Medicinal are widely recognized as the key component *Correspondence to Author: for critical human health, social and economic support. The S.M. Mahlo current study was conducted to identify medicinal plants used by University of Limpopo, School local people and traditional healers to treat “u wela” in Vhembe of Molecular and Life Sciences, District, Limpopo, South Africa. A questionnaire was designed Department of Biodiversity, Private to gather information on the local names of plants, plant parts BagX1106, Sovenga, 0727, South used and methods of preparation administered by the traditional Africa healers. Plant species were collected based on indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers through the use of a questionnaire and personal interviews, and some were identified using literature and herbarium at the University of Limpopo. The study revealed that thirty-seven medicinal plants are used How to cite this article: for the treatment of "u wela" in the study area. The frequency T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo. index was calculated and the highest frequency was observed in A survey of South African plant Elaeodendron transvaalensis Jacq (47%) and the least was found species used for the treatment of in Albizia versicolor Welw. Ex Oliv (6%). Some medicinal uses “u wela” in Venda culture, Limpopo of identified plants that have not been recorded in the consulted Province.International Journal of literature were documented. Noticeably, many of these plants Traditional and Complementary were grown in the wild. Traditional healers use different plant Medicine 2019, 4:15. part(s) for the treatment of various ailments. Roots (40%) were highly used followed by 20%, bark (13%) and leaves. The plant forms used were trees, (38%), shrubs, (3%), climbers, herbs and succulents (4.7%). The results stipulated that a high population of people in the community still relied on traditional medicine for eSciPub LLC, Houston, TX USA. their primary health care. Website: https://escipub.com/

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Ethnobotanical survey, “U wela”, Indigenous knowledge

IJTCM: https://escipub.com/international-journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/ 1 T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15 Introduction and neuralgia, intestinal cramping is also chal- "U wela" is a sexually transmitted that affects lenging as unity amongst individuals with males in Venda after having unprotected sexual knowledge and scientists is lacking. Therefore, intercourse with a female who had an abortion the establishment of the local names and indig- or a miscarriage. A woman recovering from a enous uses of plants has significant important miscarriage should undergo dilatation and cu- to the communities (Ba˘gcı, 2000). More im- rettage before engaging in social activities. In portantly, some plants have become endan- South Africa, traditional healers and local peo- gered and should be protected. ple use medicinal plants to combat various dis- Information regarding plants containing thera- eases in humans including "u wela". Traditional peutic value should be documented in system- healers have the ability to identify and recognize atic studies. The documented studies can assist the symptoms of "u wela" while other symptoms with the identification of plants that have market are much similar to those of HIV/AIDS. Previ- potential, hence making money for the local ously, it was difficult to treat "u wela", since the communities. On the other hand, this will set as infected women should be traced. According to an incentive for the local people to protect their Venda culture, traditional healers prepare urine indigenous plant species (Shackleton, 2001). In of both partners and mixed with herbs and give this study, ethnobotanical survey has been car- to the infected male to drink. However, due to ried out for the identification of plants; and tradi- difficulties of tracing the infected women, a new tional healers in local communities of Vhembe method of treatment has been developed which district were interviewed regarding the medici- does not involve a mixture of herbs with urine nal plants they use to combat various diseases. (Mulaudzi, 2001). Nowadays, the medication is All plant species used by the local people and prepared from different plant parts such as traditional healers to treat various diseases leaves, roots and bark in a form of decoction, were recorded in the study area. In this paper, maceration or infusion (Masevhe et al., 2015). ethnomedicinal uses of plant species utilised by Traditional medicine is useful in diagnosing, the community for the treatment of "u wela" in preventing and eliminating physical, mental or Vhembe District, Limpopo Province were inves- social custom imbalances based on indigenous tigated. Local people and traditional healers knowledge, practical experiences and belief were interviewed and information was gathered (Richter, 2003). Information on the indigenous using a semi-structured questionnaire. knowledge on medicinal usage is passed from Materials and methods generation to generation (Maema et al., 2016). Study Area Furthermore, traditional medicine is utilized by The study was conducted in Vhembe District many ethnic groups to combat various ailments Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa in humans and animals. Documentation of me- (22°56 S, 30°28E) as shown in Figure 3. Data dicinal plants and the failure of the conservation were collected from eleven villages: Mawoni, of these plants has led to the disappearance of Luvhalalani, Tshikuwi, Paradise, Makungwi, traditional knowledge systems. Most young Ha- Mavhunga, Tshiswenda, Tshituni, Divhani, generation prefers western medicine than con- Straighdhart and Pfumbada in Nzhelele area. sulting traditional healers. The estimated population is about 1.2 million Documentation of indigenous knowledge and the community speaks Venda language. through ethnobotanical studies is important for They are agriculturalists who keep livestock in- the conservation and utilization of biological re- cluding cattle, sheep, goats and chickens sources (Muthu et al., 2006). In South Africa, (Mphaphathi et al., 2008). the conservation of medicinal plants such as Climate and vegetation wild yum used for relieving pain, poor circulation IJTCM: https://escipub.com/international-journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/ 2 T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15 The vegetation is classified as a Bushveld (Low granted by the traditional council. Forty (40) tra- and Rebelo, 1998). The climate is a subtropical ditional healers were selected randomly from dry savanna, and rainfall ranges between 350 the selected villages. Each traditional healer mm and1 200 mm annually. In Vhembe district, was requested to sign a consent form approved wind speed is about 4 m/s and soil mois- by the University of Limpopo. Data was col- ture~21%. It usually rains between November lected using a semi-structured questionnaire and March, concentrated in ~ 7 rain days per and guided field work with traditional healers. A month. Seasonal rainfall fluctuates from year to questionnaire was used to gather information year (Tyson et al., 2002; Tadross et al., 2005). on the local name/s of plants used to treat dif- The average temperatures range from 28°C in ferent ailment, source of these plants, plant January to 15°C in July. Humidity in the area is part/s used to treat "u wela", methods of prepa- ±40%. ration of remedy, diagnosis of different ailments Ethnobotanical survey and identification of and other relevant information. plant species Collected plants were identified using the litera- Ethnobotany was conducted in the Vhembe dis- ture and Larry Leach Herbarium at the Univer- trict from January to September 2016, within 11 sity of Limpopo. The plant species names (Ver- villages (Mawoni, Luvhalalani, Tshikuwi, Para- nacular, Scientific names) were identified at the dise, Makungwi, Ha- Mavhunga, Tshiswenda, University of Limpopo Herbarium and the Tshituni, Divhani, Straighdhart and Pfumbada). Voucher specimens placed in the herbarium. Permission to conduct the study in the area was

Figure 1: Map shows Vhembe District, Makhado Local Municipality.

IJTCM: https://escipub.com/international-journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/ 3 T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15 Statistical Analysis female traditional healers request other people. The collected data was captured in MS Excel Different plant parts were collected from the 2010 and analysed using descriptive and infer- wild, at the mountains, but before the plants ential statistics. The frequency was calculated were to be collected specified rituals had to first using this formula: FI = FC÷N x 100 where FC be conducted such as sprinkling of snuff, bow- is the number of informants and N is a total ing, invoking of their ancestors, etc. Traditional number of informants. healers indicated that wild plants had supersti- tious healing powers as they are at peace and Ethical considerations more potent (Lusaka and Van der Mere, 2006) A permit was obtained from the Local authority than cultivated plants. and traditional councils of Makhado Local Mu- Diagnosis of “u wela” nicipality. The traditional healers were re- quested to sign a consent form approved by the Majority of the traditional healers mentioned University of Limpopo Research Committee that a person suffering from “u wela” cannot go prior to ethnobotanical survey. All traditional to the toilet, the scrotums swell up, the person healers involved in the study participated freely. has a very severe headache, the behaviour of The information that participants shared with us the person changes, the person avoids being was protected and respected to ensure confi- around people, suffers from a bad cough, loses dentiality. their appetite and also shivers. Besides the per- son just telling the traditional healer what they Results and discussion are suffering from, some traditional healers pre- Personal information and consultation fer using their bones to tell what might be wrong The survey consulted both male and female tra- with that particular person, hence showing the ditional healers. Among 20 participants, 33% sick person the confidence they have in what were males and 67% were females. These re- they are practicing. Previously, it was estab- sults indicate that the majority of traditional lished that every culture laid down norms of sex- healers are females. A survey revealed many ual behaviour that are different for women and traditional healers interviewed were not edu- men and in turn those gendered patterns of sex- cated. Of the traditional healers interviewed, ual behaviours may contribute to the transmis- 47% of traditional healers had no formal educa- sion of sexually transmitted diseases (Helman, tion 33% while 27% acquired primary education 1996). and 13% have received college education and Traditional Practice almost 7% attended ABET. Plant part(s) used The survey revealed that 53% have more than Traditional healers used different plant part(s) 30 patients in a month, while 33% of traditional for the treatment of various ailments (Figure 2). healers have less than 20 patients. The tradi- Roots (40%) were highly used followed by 20%, tional healers keep in contact with their patients bark (13%), and leaves. The roots were also by giving them appointment dates for check- dominant in previous studies (Masevhe et al., ups. Furthermore, traditional healers mentioned 2015 and Maema et al., 2016). The plant forms that some of the patients return back for further used were trees, 38%, shrubs, 3%, climbers consultation if were not healed by the medica- and the remaining 4.7% belonged to the herbs tion. and succulents. Roots are believed to contain Methods of plant collection more healing powers as they are in contact with Plant collection the ancestors. However, the utilization of roots Almost 86% of traditional healers interviewed and the whole plant are destructive and plant collect plant materials themselves, while 13% of species will reach extinction.

IJTCM: https://escipub.com/international-journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/ 4 T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15

Figure 2: Plant parts used for the treatment of “u wela”.

Preparation and treatment Elaeodendron transvaalense, Trichilia emetic, Clean utensils are used to wash plant parts be- Pouzolzia mixta, Elephantorrhiza burkei and fore preparing the medicine for hygienic pur- Croton megalobotrys (Figure 3). poses. Most medicinal plant parts are dried and Conservation stored as a powder for further use. In some in- The study found that most traditional healers stances, various plant parts are mixed and pre- noticed a decline in certain plant species mostly pared as decoction or infusion. Based on the in winter. This declinement has shown to have belief, soaked plant extracts are super active. a bad impact since they must travel for a long Traditional healers provide treatment by either distance in order to access particular plant stimulating the immune system or by directly in- parts. However, there are some difficulties such hibiting the microorganism causing the sickness as seeking permission from the traditional coun- or by looking at the therapeutic effect which may cil for plant collection in another area. If the per- be guided by spiritual beliefs (Mulaudzi, 2007). mission is granted, a certain amount should be Identified medicinal plants paid before plant collection. In addition, it also A total of 37 plant species belonging to 32 dif- becomes a big distraction for them to travel long ferent families were identified (Table 1). The hours. Traditional healers tend to spend more dominant families were Fabaceae and Me- time travelling than assisting their patients. A liaceae species both with 4 species each (18 survey revealed that 73% of traditional healers %). Amongst 37 species recorded, 50% were use cultivated plants, 47% females and 26% trees, followed by shrubs (38%), climbers (7%), males and more importantly, 27% of traditional and herbs (2.4%) and succulents (2.4%). The healers buy their plants from both street ven- most widely used plant species were, dors and markets.

IJTCM: https://escipub.com/international-journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/ 5 T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15 Table 1. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of “u wela” in Makhado Local Municipality

Mode of Fre- Voucher Parts Prepara- Availability Family Scientific Name Vernacular Dosage administra- quency Specimen used tion status tion index in % ½ Cup 3 Clerodendrum Munukhatshi- Verbenaceae Tryphina 01 Leaves Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild glabrum E.Mey. longwe day Dichrostachys ½ Cup 3 Mimosaceae cinera (DC.) Murenzhe Tryphina 02 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild Wight & Arn. day Senna peter- ½ Cup 3 Munembenembe Fabaceae siana (Bolle) Tryphina 03 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild mutuku Lock day ½ Cup 3 Ehretia rigida Mutepe Boraginaceae Tryphina 04 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild (Thunb.) Druce /Murovherovhe day Vernonia eliptica (DC.) H.Rob., ½ Cup 3 Mulomonyela Asteraceae S.C.Kee- Tryphina 05 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild (Type 1) ley,Skvarla & day R.Chan ½ Cup 3 Mulomonyela Euphorbiaceae Jatropha Oregon Tryphina 06 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild (Type 2) day ½ Cup 3 Caricaceae Carica papaya L. Mupapawe Tryphina 07 Leaves Boiled times a Oral 7 Cultivated day Prunus persica (L.) Batsch 1801 ½ Cup 3 Rosaceae not Stokes 1812 Muberegisi Tryphina 08 Leaves Boiled times a Oral 7 Cultivated nor (L.) Siebold & day Zucc Muboma/Munem- ½ Cup 3 Caesalpinia- Senna pendula benembe muhul- Tryphina 09 Bark Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild ceae (Willd.) wane day Senna didy- ½ Cup 3 mobotrya Boiled/Soa Fabaceae Tshiduwana Tryphina 10 Roots times a Oral 13 Wild (Fresen.) Irwin & ked day Barneby Roots ½ Cup 3 Asparagus Asparagaceae Lufhaladzamakole Tryphina 11 and Grinded times a Oral 13 Wild falctus (L.) Druce Leaves day Elaeodendron Roots ½ Cup 3 Mukuvhazwivhi Boiled/Grin Celastraceae transvaalensis Tryphina 12 and times a Oral 40 Wild /Mulumanamana ded Jacq. Bark day Gumululo/Tshises ½ Cup 3 Elephantorrhiza Boiled/Grin Fabaceae avhafa/Musesevh Tryphina 13 Roots times a Oral 20 Wild burkei Benth. ded ufa day Securidaca longi- ½ Cup 3 Boiled/ Polygalaceae pendunculata Mpesu Tryphina 14 Roots times a Oral 20 Wild Grinded Fresen. day ½ Cup 3 Heteromorpha Apiaceae Muthathavhanna Tryphina 15 Roots Grinded times a Oral 7 Wild trifoliate Chum. day ½ Cup 3 Annona senega- Annonaceae Muembe Tryphina 16 Roots Grinded times a Oral 7 Wild lensis Pers. day Rhamnaceae Ziziphus mucro- ½ Cup 3 nata Willd. Mukhalu Tryphina 17 Roots Boiled times a Oral 20 Wild day 2 Litre Trichilia emetic Mutuhu/Mut- Meliaceae Tryphina 18 Bark Boiled Enema 33 Wild Vahl. shato/Mutshikili

Entan- dophragma cau- ½ Cup 3 Meliaceae datum Thomas Munzhounzhou Tryphina 19 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild Archibald Spra- day gue (1910) ½ Cup 3 Euclea divinorum Boiled/Soa Ebenaceae Mutangule-thavha Tryphina 20 Roots times a Oral 13 Wild Hiern ked day ½ Cup 3 Trichilia Soak in Meliaceae Mutshikili Tryphina 21 Roots times a Oral 7 Wild dregeana Sond. cold water day Tabernaemon- ½ Cup 3 Soak in Araceae tana elegans Muhatu Tryphina 22 Roots times a Oral 7 Wild cold water Stapf day

IJTCM: https://escipub.com/international-journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/ 6 T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15 Artabotrys ½ Cup 3 Annonaceae brachypetalus Mudzidzi Tryphina 23 Roots Grinded times a Oral 7 Wild Benth. day ½ Cup 3 Maerua edulis Mutshalimela Tryphina 24 Roots Grinded times a Oral 7 Wild Gilg. day ½ Cup 3 Strychnos decus- Loganiaceae Muvhavhanyane Tryphina 25 Roots Grinded times a Oral 7 Wild sate L. day Mukundadi- ½ Cup 3 Pouzolzia mixta Boiled/Grin Urticaceae vhu/Mu- Tryphina 26 Roots times a Oral 13 Wild Solms ded lambadivhu day ½ Cup 3 Croton megalo- Euphorbiaceae Muruthu Tryphina 27 Roots Grinded times a Oral 13 Wild botrys Mll.Arg. day Roots ½ Cup 3 Cissus quadran- Boiled/Soa Vitaceae Malongekanye Tryphina 28 and times a Oral 13 Wild gularis L. ked Leaves day ½ Cup 3 Aloe microcantha Tshikhopha Soak in Lilaceae Tryphina 29 Roots times a Oral 7 Wild L. tshituku cold water day ½ Cup 3 Pterocarpus an- Soak in Fabaceae Mutondo Tryphina 30 Bark times a Oral 7 Wild golensis DC. cold water day Warbugia salu- 2 Litre Canellaceae taris (Bertol.f.) Mulanga Tryphina 31 Roots Boiled Enema 7 Wild Chiov. ½ Cup 3 aphylla Munna- Capparaceae Tryphina 32 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild (Thunb.) Wild mutsu/Tshikuni day ½ Cup 3 Albizia versicolor Mimosaceae Muvhambangoma Tryphina 33 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild Welw. Ex Oliv. day Rhoicissus tri- ½ Cup 3 denata (L. f.) Vitaceae Murumbulashedo Tryphina 34 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild Wild & R.B. day Drumm ½ Cup 3 Piper capense Piperaceae Mulilwe Tryphina 35 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild L.f. day ½ Cup 3 Richardia brasili- Rubiaceae Mulegere Tryphina 36 Bark Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild ensis Gomes day ½ Cup 3 Heteropyxis na- Myrtaceae Mulomomunandi Tryphina 37 Roots Boiled times a Oral 7 Wild talensis Harv. day

Figure 3: Frequency index of medicinal plant Elaeodendron transvaalensis, Trichilia emetic, Pou- zolzia mixta, Elephantorrhiza burkei, Croton megalobotrys and Albizia versicolor. IJTCM: https://escipub.com/international-journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine/ 7 T.T. Ramavhale and S.M. Mahlo, IJTCM, 2019, 4:15 The frequency index was calculated and the We are grateful to the traditional healers and lo- highest frequency was observed in E. trans- cal people who participated in this project. vaalensis (47%), followed by T. emetic (33%), References P. mixta (27%), E. burkei (20%), C. megalo- 1. Ba˘gcı, Y. 2000. Ethnobotanical features of botrys (15%) and A. versicolor (6%) (Figure 3). Alada˘glar (Yahyalı,Kayseri) and its vicinity. The results indicate that E. transvaalensis is Herbal Journal Systematic Botany 7:89–94. mostly used by the local people and traditional 2. Maema, L.P., Mahlo, S.M. & Potgieter, M.J. healers in the study area. 2016. Ethnomedicinal uses of exotic plant spe- cies in Mogalakwena Municipality of Waterberg Conclusion District, Limpopo Province South Africa. Interna- The current study revealed 37 medicinal plants tional Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 1: 0017-0027. used for "u wela" in Makhado Local Municipal- 3. Masevhe, N., L.J., McGaw & J.N., Eloff 2015. ity, Limpopo province. The results stipulated The traditional use of plants to manage candidia- that a high population of people in the commu- sis and related infections in Venda, South Africa. nity still relied on traditional medicine for their Journal of Ethnopharmacology 168: 364-372. primary health care. A survey displayed that 4. Mulaudzi, F.M. & O.N. Makhubela-Nkondo 2006. Indigenous healers’ beliefs and practices con- plants are still widely utilized even though there cerning sexually transmitted diseases. Curationis is a lack of conveying and spreading of system- 29: 46–53. atic traditional practices. Elderly people and tra- 5. Mulaudzi, F.M. 2007. The cultural beliefs of the ditional healers are more knowledgeable about Vhavenda on the causes and transmission of indigenous knowledge than young generation. sexually transmitted infections. Health SA Gesondheid 12. The high rate of biopiracy and violation expo- 6. Muthu, C., Ayyanar, M., Raja N.& Ignacimuthu, sure has resulted in the existence of unidenti- S. 2006. Medicinal plants used by traditional fied plant species and undocumented medicinal healers in Kancheepuram District of Tamiil Nadu, plant bases. Due to this impact, traditional heal- India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedi- ers continue to deprive western doctors from cine 2:43 7. Mphaphathi, M.L., Raito, M.B., Makhafola, M.B., generating medicine in a scientific manner. Luseba D & Nedambale, T.L. 2008. Comparison Depth investigations still need to be made in or- of cryoprotectants on cryopreservation of Venda der to further identify more plant species for the cock spermatozoa. Reproduction Fertility and treatment of “u wela” and determine antifungal Development 21:135-136. activity of the most promising plant species 8. Richter, M. 2003. Researcher: AIDS Law Project. 9. Shackleton, C.M.& Shackleton, S.E. 2000. The against fungal pathogens. importance of non-timber forest products in rural Authors’ contributions livelihood security and as safety-nets: evidence TT conducted ethnobotanical survey and rec- from South Africa. South African Journal of Sci- ence100: 658-664. orded the results under the supervision of SM 10. Tadross, M., Hewitson, B. C. & Usman, M. T. Mahlo. TT and SM processed the data and per- 2005: The inter-annual variability of the onset of formed statistical analysis. SM and TT drafted the maize growing season over South Africa and the manuscript. All authors read the final manu- Zimbabwe Journal of Climate 18: 3076–3093. script and agreed to its submission. 11. Tyson, P. D., Dyer, T. G. J. & Mametse, M. N., 1975: Secular changes in South African rainfall: Competing interests 1880 to 1972. Quarterly Journal Royal Meteoro- The authors declare that they have no compet- logical Society 101: 817-833. ing interests. Acknowledgement The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Limpopo for financial support.

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