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Exploring indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used to treat COVID-19 related symptoms

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  • Sejabaledi A. Rankoana

    (University of Limpopo)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the indigenous plant-derived medicine used to treat symptoms related to four of the most common symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data presented in this study form part of a medical ethnobotanical study conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa between 2012 and 2019. The study recorded 89 plant species identified as sources of medicine. Of these plants, 13 species belonging to 9 botanical families were used as sources of medicine to cure influenza, cough, sore throat and fever, while 5 species belonging to 5 botanical families were sources of preventive medicine. The treatment of the four symptoms is accomplished through the administration of oral decoctions, steaming and infusions, while preventive medicine is in the form of infusion, decoction, chew or charm, which is used to prevent susceptibility to infectious diseases such as influenza and cough.  Knowledge of these medicines rests with ordinary community members who offer treatment after observations of the symptoms on their family members. The indigenous plant-derived medicines identified in this study may be tested for their safety and efficacy to discover new local, affordable and culture-specific drugs that could be used in the modern phytotherapy for conditions such as COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Sejabaledi A. Rankoana, 2021. "Exploring indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used to treat COVID-19 related symptoms," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 25(1), pages 798-806, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:tec:journl:v:25:y:2021:i:1:p:798-806
    DOI: 10.47577/tssj.v25i1.4938
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peng Zhou & Xing-Lou Yang & Xian-Guang Wang & Ben Hu & Lei Zhang & Wei Zhang & Hao-Rui Si & Yan Zhu & Bei Li & Chao-Lin Huang & Hui-Dong Chen & Jing Chen & Yun Luo & Hua Guo & Ren-Di Jiang & Mei-Qin L, 2020. "Addendum: A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin," Nature, Nature, vol. 588(7836), pages 6-6, December.
    2. Peng Zhou & Xing-Lou Yang & Xian-Guang Wang & Ben Hu & Lei Zhang & Wei Zhang & Hao-Rui Si & Yan Zhu & Bei Li & Chao-Lin Huang & Hui-Dong Chen & Jing Chen & Yun Luo & Hua Guo & Ren-Di Jiang & Mei-Qin L, 2020. "A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin," Nature, Nature, vol. 579(7798), pages 270-273, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Indigenous knowledge; traditional medicine; medicinal plants; COVID-19; pandemic;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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