Medicinal plant use a survey

An informal survey in the rural area of Natal South Africa was conducted to assess the extent of use of plants for medicinal purposes. 5 local indigenous herbs were used in the survey. A random sample of 20 adult patients 10 male and 10 female were presented in the medical wards with the herbs and asked to identify them and describe their uses preparation and routes of administration. A separate group of 20 patients was used for each herb. 4 of the 5 herbs had markedly uniform treatment regimes for specific symptoms generally gastrointestinal or flu-like illnesses. Nearly 100% of the respondents indicated that they do use medicinal plants. Many collect the herbs from the veld themselves. Knowledge of herbal remedies is alive and being used regularly by both men and women both blacks and whites. Self-diagnosis and self treatment seems to be common among these rural South Africans at least for certain types of illness. Very few cases of severe toxic effects of herbs are ever seen at hospitals or clinics in the area.