Phytotherapy for Sexually Transmitted Infections In Thaba 'Nchu, Free State Province, South Africa

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been prescribed by traditional healers for the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections STIs for years. This study documents therapeutic plants used against STIs in Thaba ‘Nchu, South Africa. Information was gathered through semi-structured interviews with traditional medical practitioners between March and December 2017. Information on medicinal plants, their local names, and their uses against STIs was gathered. The use value (UV) of the plant species, frequency of citation (FC) and the informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated for the plants and STIs included in the study. Plants were used to treat infections such Herpes zoster (ICF=0.4) as gonorrhoea (ICF=0.11), vaginosis (ICF=0.2), symptoms of HIV/AIDS (ICF=0.1) and pubic lice (ICF=0.1). A total of 35 plant species were identified for the treatment of STIs. Most medicinal plants in the study area came from the families Asteraceae (21%), Fabaceae (17%), Solanaceae (13%) and Hyacinthaceae (13%). Bulbine narcissifolia, Pentanisia prunelloides, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Scabiosa columbaria, Xysmalobium undulatum Rumex lanceolatus, Eucomis autumnalis, Dicoma anomala and Salvia runcinata were frequently used. The preferred method for preparation of remedies were decoctions made from the roots (72%), whole plant (17%), leaves (7%), fruits (2%) and bark (2%) which were consumed orally.This study contributes to the documentation of plants used for STIs to conserve the information for future generations. A selection from the most frequently mentioned plants for treatment of STIs may be used for further phytopharmacological investigations and subsequently be used for the development of new antimicrobial agents for global use and for the socioeconomic development of local communities. Key words: Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Sexual transmitted infections, Thaba ‘Nchu, Traditional Healers.