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African Herbal Medicine
African Herb Uses Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies

Africa's Ancient Tradition

african herbs

The beginnings of civilization and the origins of the healing arts can be traced back to Africa and the divine Inmhotep, healer to the Pharaohs. The ancient African healers had an elaborate materia medica, most of the over 5,000 plant species have been used for food and medicine for centuries. There is no clear distinction in traditional African medicine as to when a herb ceases to be a health food and becomes a medicine. The traditions of Africa have not been documented nearly as well as the cultures of India and China, leaving African medicinal plant species underrepresented in modern herbal medicine. Valuable species are in danger of being lost to deforestation before we ever come to understand them, and some such as Pygeum have become an endangered species because of the high demand. Hopefully we will find the wisdom to preserve this ancient and immensely valuable resource for the Earths children.

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Detail	Acacia	Acacia senegal
	Herbalists use acacia gum to bind pills and lozenges and to stabilize emulsions

Detail	Aloe	Aloe vera
	The leaf juices of the aloe plant have important medicinal uses, making aloe one of the most respected medicinal plants found in many gels, creams and lotions.

Detail	Buchu	Agathosma betulina
	Buchu is one of South Africa's best known medicinal plants in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI).

Detail	Devil's Claw	Harpagophytum procumbens
	This herb has an extensive history of use as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and digestive stimulant

Detail	Geranium	Pelargonium graveolens
	Many people still call pelargoniums by their common name, scented geraniums

Detail	Ginger	Zingiber officinale
	Perhaps no other herb, except garlic, crosses all barriers, foods versus medicine, Western versus Oriental, scientific versus folk tradition. Ginger is a universal herb in all respects.

Detail	Gotu Kola	Centella asiatica (L.)
	Gotu kola is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine and TCM to rejuvenate both mind and body. Clinical experiments have shown that the plant does improve memory, and rejuvenate skin and body tissue.

Detail	Hoodia	Hoodia Gordonii
	Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent, cactus-like plant that grows in the African Kalahari Desert. For centuries, the San Bushmen

Detail	Kola Nut	Cola acuminata
	Kola nuts contain caffine, which may explain their popular use in energy tonics. Native to Africa

Detail	Myrrh	Commiphora myrrha
	Natural myrrh resin is one of the oldest known perfumery materials. Myrrh has been used as a cleansing, purifying agent since ancient times.

Detail	Pygeum	Prunus africanum
	Pygeum is a tree native to the higher elevations of central and southern Africa. Sometimes reffered to as the African Cherry

Detail	Rooibos	Aspalathus linearis
	Rooibos is naturally caffeine free and therefore suitable for children, infants and breast-feeding mothers

Detail	Shea Butter	Butyrospermum parkii
	Shea butter is rich in vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that rejuvenate and hydrate skin and hair. Use shea butter to treat damaged skin, help heal wounds, or just pamper yourself .

Maurice M. Iwu Handbook of African Medicinal Plants (1993)

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Medicinal Healing Herbs : Properties and Uses

Herbs Alphabetical by Common Name

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List Herbs by Botanical Name