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Medicinal plants in Mozambique and their popular use
Journal of Ethno~harmucolo~, 19 (1987) Elsevier Scientific Pubiishers Ireland Ltd.
MEDICINAL
REZS~
PLANTS
VERZARa
IN MOZAMBIQUE
and GIZELLA
67
67-80
AND THEIR
POPULAR
USE
PETRI”
ainstitute of Forensic Medicine and ‘Institute University, Budapest (Hungary)
of Pharm5co~~y,
Semmelweis
Medic51
(Accepted October 21, 1986)
Summary
The authors give a review about plants used in the folk medicine of Mozambique, according to the literature and the personal experiences of the first author in dealing with people there. This paper shows their known active compounds and treatment of the therapeutical values as well as methods of application in Mozambique and in its neighbouring countries,
Mozambique lies in the southern hemisphere, with a more than lOOO-km long coastline, extending from Tanzania to the Union of South Africa (Rado, 1978). It has a population of about 9.5 million inhabitants. The surface of the country is 794,961 kma. The capital is Maputo. Formerly the country was a Portuguese colony and 47% of the population is Mamakua Negro, differing from the dominantly Bantu Negro population of the bordering Union of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. The highest mountain peak is Binga at 2436 m. The main rivers are the Limpopo and Zambezi, just as in Tanzania and Zimbabwe and biggest lake is the Nyassza, The constitutional form of the state is a People’s Republic. The population deals primarily in agricultural production, and the main activities are: the cultivation and production of sugar cane, maize, cotton and nutmeg, as well as cattle-, goat-, pig- and sheep-breeding. The sector of fishing is also very important, and its main area is the Mozambique Channel, a branch of the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar. Having an artistic taste the people prefer carving using sandal and ebony trees, or in some areas extensively Eucalyptus, as raw material. The popular therapeutical wealth differs to a great extent. However, sometimes there are references to the traditions of Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya, because the flora of these countries are similar. The first author was for 2 years in Maputo as an expert in forensic medicine. His experiences are expressed in this paper, in comparison with some references. The authors verified the biblio~aphic data with the actual uses of the described material. 037%8741/87/$05.25 0 1987 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Published and Printed in Ireland
68
The e~nobo~y, in Mozambique
chemistry and general ph~macol~
of medicinal plants
In the catalogue of the Minerva Central Press, by Medimoe (1983) we found 585 medicinal plants used. Here we show only those characteristic medicinal plants which could be met in folk medicine and are available in the market in Maputo. 1. Achyropsis leptostachia (E. Mey ex Meisn) Hook (Amaranthaceae) in South Mozambique. Application: for the treatment of rheumatism of the lower limbs. The whole plant is burnt, the ash mixed with castor oil and the mixture applied on the limb in question. The decoction of the plant is drunk in South Africa for the treatment of cholemesia and fever. In the case of tussis the root is used because of it’s richness in potassium and mucilage. 2. Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) kashew-nut is diffused throughout Mozambique (Fig. 1). Application: as a decoction of the barks in the case of diabetes. Its tincture and bark-extract diminish blood sugar level, using it as peroral. The effect is perceptible 15-20 min after insertion, reaches its maximum within 60-90 min and can be felt 3 h later. The kashew-nut has a hypoglychemic effect. (Trease and Evans, 1972). The petal of the flower confining card01 of brown colour (Karrer et al., 1977) can be applied to scars, freckles and warts, but it can be dangerous for sensitive skins. For rashes and bums it’s advisable to use externally. An ointment is made of the crushed leaves. For treatment of leprosy and anthelminthicy a nut oil is applied which contains card01 and anacardic acid (List and Hiirhammer, 1972). The nut oil and the delubricated nut has an antibiotical effect primarily on Gram positive bacteria used for liver trouble. The oil of the pericarp acts as a rubefacient and vesicant because of its phenocardol content (List and I&hammer, 1972). The resin of the bark and fruit contains salicyclic acid and resorcinol derivatires. In South and East Africa its pericarp is used for gargling in the treatment of fever and aphthas. The distilled liquid of the sap of the fleshy peduncle (false flower) has a diuretic effect, and is used for abdominal liquid and uterine disorders, The root of the plant is the so called: Purgative root. In West Africa pericarp is used in the treatment of scorbute; the ripe fleshy peduncle as a diuretic. In some areas of Sierra Leone the new leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and haemorrhoids. In the case of dysentery, the decoction of the leaves and the bark is internally applied. For throat-ache and gingivitis, the decoction of the leaves and the bark is used as a mouth washing and for gargling.
69
3. Anisotes ~or~osissi~~s (Klotsch) Milne-redhead (A~~tha~eae) (1861), (Fig. 2) is 2 m high and is found in Central Moz~bique and used for the curing of leprosy, Order: one part of the root is cooked as a mush and eaten. The other part is burned and put in the ashes on the mottles, After this the mush is eaten again. This mush has a purgative effect (Fig. 2). 4. Aerva leucura (L.) Moq. (Amaranthaceae) in South and East Mozambique. Application: for prevention of bowel worms and vomitus the decoction, or soak of the root is drunk for several hours (Hoppe, 1975). In Kenya it is used for increasing lactation. The root is applied for the treatment of snake-bite. In ~u~~~~~u the crushed grass is put on bodies affected by anychia. In Zaire the decoction of the root is drunk for curing throat-ache. Other uses: in Botswana and Tanzania the dry flowers are used for stuffing pillows. It has an insecticide effect. In Malawi the boiled leaves are used with hazel-nut, as a meal throughout the year. 5. Annona senegalensis Pers. subsp. senegalensis (Annonaceae) (1807). Spread in North and Central Mozambique and also near Maputo, up to 2400 m in height (Fig. 3). It is a plant of the savannas which blooms in December and gives fruit in March. Application: the plant is a sexual potential stimulant. The bark is chewed several times and the extract swallowed mixed with saliva. In the case of conjuncti~tis the bark has to be boiled together with ~ishrostaeys cinerea L. Wight et Am. and Garcinia Iivingstonei Anders and drunk twice a day until recovery. For the treatment of dysentery the root bark has to be soaked in water and the produced extract cooked as a mush and eaten. The other part of the extract is consumed if the sick person is thirsty. For the treatment of pharyngitis the root bark is crushed in hot water. For the treatment of spinal marrow diseases the root bark is crumbled and put in water. After boiling and filtration the liquid is then salted. A small quantity of the decoction can _be used for massaging the upper part of the backbone twice a day for a 15-day period. For the case of menstruation the root is boiled and a half cup of the decoction drunk three timesa day until recovery. For treating epilepsy the root is crushed together with Fsorosper~~,~ ~ebri~~gu~ Spack, Turrea nilotic Yotschy et Peyr, Helichrysum kirkii oliv. et Hiern ex oliv. and Fudoguric katengensis De Willd. The plant can be soaked in water and the extract mixed with rice. A spoon full of it can be used morning and evening, for the treatment of wounds. (Sofowora, 1982). Active agents: wax, sugar, glucosides, proteins, amino acids, (Dalziel, 1937) mucus and tannin. 6. Boophone d&i&a (L.f.) Herb. syn. Buphone 1525 (Amaryllidaceae). Applied for increasing sexual potency (Fig. 4). The onion is cut in slices
71
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72
and put into water and shaken the next day. For the case of paralysis the root is burned and grinded. After making a tattoo into the paralysed part the powder is applied. Following that, the root of Eriostema englerianum Flavus is crushed in a mortar and boiled well in water. Then a cloth is moistened with the decoction to make a bandage for head-, ventral- and throat-aches. For weakness and eye diseases, the dry leaves of the onion are used. In the cases of furuncule, burn, urticaria and after circumcision a bandage is made with the dry leaves of the onion. For inflammatory wounds, the lamellas of the tormented onion are used locally. For the case of infected scars, the dry leaves are used locally, and a bandage, made of the leaves of the tormented onion applied. It eases the pain and helps purulence get out. In skin diseases and phlebitis dry leaves moistened with milk or oil are used. Other applications: the plant can be used as an arrowpoison. Toxicity: the onion can be of lethal effect on people and animals, while the upper parts are not poisonous. The onions of the plants flourishing in the shade are less toxic than those grown in the sun, so the animals sometimes eat them without doing any harm to their health. Active agents: in the onion there are alkaloids such as buphanamine, narcissin, lycorin, hemantin, etc. Buphanamine alkaloid approaches the physiological effect of the hyoscyamine (Karrer et al., 1977). 7. Ceiba pentar,dra (L.) Gaetn. Bomba caceae is a typical tropical plant from America, Asia and Africa (Muravjeva, 1983). Twenty-seven metre high trees, with a very thiele base, wide-spread roots and decorative flowers. Fatty oil content of its seeds is 25%. Named oleum kapok? the main compound is 40-45% linolenic acid. Bombax ceiba L,. is also well known for the same reason. The fatty oil is partly for cooking and for healing the wounds. 8. Crinum delagoense Verdoorn (Amaryllidaceae), (1837) (Fig. 5). Can be found in South Mozambique, near Maputo. Application: the onion is heated, cut into pieces, prepared as a vaccine and added locally onto the furuncule. The onion has a lactogogue (lactiferrous) effect and in this case must be used externally, to promote the abundant and durable secretion of milk, by older women too. In the case of body tumefaction (distension) and oedema onion is applied in the Zambezi district, mostly. The effective components are haemanthamin, crinamin and crinidin isoquinolinic alkaloids. 9 Cleistochlamys kirkii (Benth) Oliv. (Annonaceae), (Fig 6), (1985). Spread near Maputo, Central and North Mozambique. The height of the tree is between 2 and 10 m and is characteristic of the forests in Mozambique. Use: applied externally on haemorrhoid wounds. In the cases of rheumatism and tuberculosis decoction is used two to three times a day (Sofowora, 1982).
73
74
10. Hermbstuedtia odor&a (Burch.) T. Cooke (Amaranthaceae), (1822), can be found in the vicinity of Mapute (Fig. 7). Application: for children as a diuretic through drinking the decoction of the root. In South Africa the Zulus use the root itself for gastric lavage. Sometimes it is mixed with parts of Acacia xanthuphloea Benth. and or Capparis tomentosa L. 11. Lannea edulis Engl. var. edulis (Anacardiaceae) (described for the first time in 1860). On the border of Swaziland and Zimbabwe and in North Mozambique it can be found as a plant of the savannas. Use: in the case of bleeding diarrhoea the stalk is dried and crushed in a mortar, then a tea-spoonful of the powder of the root is put into the mush. In South Africa, in the case of diarrhoea, the cold decoction of the root is drunk. In the case of haemoglobinurial fever so called “blackwater fever”, a critical form of malaria (especially for persons treated with quinine) the root decoction is drunk, using primarily high and frequent doses of the root bark. In Malawi the root extract is used in order to keep back the faeces. In Kenya the root decoction is frequently applied by women for easing parturition labour. In Tanzania the root decoction is drunk to cure dysentery. In Zaire the sapwook of the omission crushed in a mortar is used in the case of intercostal myalgia, and in the form of plastron, for treating bruises on the trunk. Other application: the succulent pulp of the fruit is edible and has a pleasant taste. The active components are quercetin-3-arabinosid, flavan 3,4diol, antraquinones and ellagic acid. - Lannea schimperi Engl. (Anacardiaceae). Spread in North Mozambique (1847), a characteristic plant of the tropical Africa. Application: in the case of abdominal aches the bark-decoction is drunk. In the case of tussis the decoction of the whole plant is used. In Malawi it is used as a treatment for dysentery. The root bark decoction is drunk as a cure for dysentery and syphilis. In Kenya the root is used to treat constipation and abdominal diseases in the form of decoction. To treat serious or bloody diarrhoea the sap of the pulverized leaves is drunk. In the case of throat-ache the mouth is washed with the root decoction. - Lannea stuhlmannii Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is widespread throughout Mozambique (1895). Application: in the cases of continuous or cholera-like diarrhoea half-a-cup of the root decoction is drunk every 4 h. For mental diseases, the leaves are soaked in water and dropped into the nose (3 drops) three times a day. In the case of gonorrhaea the root bark decoction is drunk. In the case of yellowish breast-milk the breast is washed twice a day with the root bark decoction. For the treatment of tussis the root is burned, mixed with
75
salt, ground and turned into mush or mixed with curry, then taken twice a day, in the morning before meals, and in the afternoon. For the treatment of tuberculosis, the root bark decoction is prepared with other plants. The hot decoction is drunk three times a day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening. In East Africa it is used in the form of a bandage made from the mass of the leaves, for the treatment of furuncules, lesions, carbuncles and abscesses. In Kenya the bark decoction is drunk for headache and ventral aches. For the treatment of poliomyletis and paralysis the method is to wash with the decoction of the leaves. In difficult birth a pulpy poultice of the leaves is put on the mother’s abdomen. Other use: in several places the fruit is consumed. 12. Ozoroa obouatu (Oliv.) R. et A. Fern. var. gomesiunu (Anacardiaceae). Wide-spread in the whole territory of Mozambique (1868). Application: in the case of diarrhoea the root is sliced into very small pieces and the decoction of that is used in a dosage of, 2 table-spoonful1 for adults and 1 tea-spoonful1 for children, 3 times a day. The root bark salty decoction is drunk twice a day for curing arthralgia, headache action and fever generalized oedemas beginning on the lower limbs and on the face. The sick patient is covered with a wrapping to make it possible for him/her to inhale the decoction of the leaves in hot water, mixed with Tetruceru and Commiphora sph. (List and Horhammer, 1972). In the case of diseases accompanied by shivering, arthralgia and myalgias around the lumbar region the leaves are boiled together with Purinani curatellifoliu Plancti ex Beuth or Byrsocarpus orientalis (Paill) Bak and Entudu ubyssinica Steud. ex A. Rich. Covered with a cloth, the vapour is inhaled. Later a bath is taken with the same decoction and the treatment followed for 1 week. The ointment made of the crushed leaves in a mortar can be applied for lesions, too. If the body swells, the whole body is embrocated with the cold watery extract of the crushed leaves. Half a cup of a root decoction is drunk in the morning and afternoon. The blood is thoroughly washed off and cold watery extract of the root drunk three times a day. A general opinion is that to drink the decoction of the root cut into pieces, it is effective for many things in a dosage of 3 times 2 teaspoonsfull 3 times a day for children until the 6th month and tablespoonsfull 3 times a day for adults. In the treatment of rheumatism the cold watery extract of the root is drunk 3 times a day. Malawi: the root decoction is drunk in the case of indigestion. Kenya: in the treatment of dysentery the root and bark decoction is drunk 3 times a day. Toxicity: the leaves, the bark and the flowers give dermatitis to anyone who touches or uses them. The leaves are of lethal effect to humans and animals. The sap is a strong vesicant, and is used often with Harungana mudugascariensis Lam. G. Poir. bark (Braun, 1974). The leaves and the root contain tannin.
Fig. 8. Ozoroa reticulata.
(Bak. F). R. et A. Fern. (Anacardiaceae). Spread in North and East Mozambique (1899), (Fig. 8). Application: for treatment of venereal disease. The water-moistened root is placed on the wounds together with Aloe chabaudii Schiienl. In the case of sterility the root is mixed with the bark of Garcinia huillensis Welw. ex Oliv. It is ground and eaten in the form of mush 2 times a day, in the morning and in the afternoon, In the case of thrust-like pains it is mixed with Thunbergia lancifolia T. Anders (Acanthaceae). For treatment of tuberculosis of the root is cut into pieces together with the root of Aspilia mossambicensis (Oliv.) Wild and Helichrysum hi&ii Oliv. et Hiern. ex Oliv. Clematopis scabiosifolia Boj. ex Hutchinson, Clerodendron discolor (Klotzsch) Vatke. It is then dried and put on glowing coal. The patient is covered with a blanket or a cloth and the fumes are inhaled. East Africa: the bark is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis. Malawi: for the treatment of constipation and venereal diseases the decoction of this root, mixed with others is drunk. In the treatment of dysentery the bark decoction is drunk. In the case of ophtalmia the pulverized bark is used. Kenya: in the cases of diarrhoea and stomach-ache the bark decoction is drunk. Tanzania: in the treatment of dysentery the bark decoction is drunk. The root extract is used as a lactogogue. The fresh root is eaten or tea made of the powder of the root bark and used in the treatment of malaria. The root decoction is used as an aphrodisiac. Toxicity: if the plant is used as a medicine its active compounds have a lethal effect.
- Ozoroa reticulata
13. Rhus longipes, Engl. var. longipes (Anacardiaceae), (1883). Spread in Central Mozambique as the plant of the savannas. Use: in the treatment of ventral aches the root is used together with Sclerocarya caffra Sond. and Ectadiopsis oblongifolia (Meisn.) Bullock. In the cases male and female sterility, the water soaked root is put in a jug and drunk 1 h later. Kenya: in the treatment of ventral aches and indigestion the root decoction is drunk. In the case of influenza the root is boiled and its fumes inhaled. - Rhus natalensis Beruh. ex Krausz. (Anacardiaceae). Spread in West, Central and South Mozambique. Use: in the case of asthma tea is made of the roots to be drunk. South and East Africa: in the cases abortion and repeated dead birth and for children in the case of cramps the root is applied. The sap of the leaves is applied in the case of wet dermatitis and furunculosis. For internal diseases the fruit is used, while in the case of taenia the whole plant is used. Kenya: for ancylostoma (preventing worms) the root decoction is applied. In the treatment of constipation the fumes of the hot water, containing the leaves, are inhaled. For curing ventral aches the hot water or cold water
78
79
extract of the root, crushed in mortar, is drunk. Especially for children, it is advisable to drink the decoction of the leaves. In the treatment of gonorrhoea the cold water or hot water extract of the root, crushed in mortar, is drunk. In the cases of influenza and tussis application is as above. Malawi: the small fruit is eaten by children. Active ingredient: the bark is of 15.2% tannic acid. The genus Rhus are synonymous to genus Cotinus (List and Horhammer, 1972). 14. Sclerocarya caffra Sond (1850), (Anacardiaceae). Spread throughout Mozambique (Fig. 9). Application: in the case of diarrhoea the roots are dried and crushed in a mortar. It is prepared in a mush and a half cup of the decoction eat,en or drunk 3 times a day. South Africa: in the cases of diarrhoea and dysentery the bark decoction is drunk (200 ml). The beer made of the fruit, is of high therapeutical value if used in treating scorbutus. In the case of malaria the decoction of the bark is very useful when drunk because the tannin has an antimalaria effect. Malawi: the bark is used in the treatment of dysentery. Kenya: in the cases of tooth-ache, constipation and stomach diseases the root is used. Other application: the fruit is edible and alcoholic drinks are made from it. Pernicious effects: it may cause proctitis and malarial fever (or something similar). The fruit can be very toxic. Main active agents: the sap of the fruit contains 3 times more vitamin C than an orange. The pulp of the fruit contains citric acid and maleic acid. The nut is rich in fatty oil and contains protein and iodine. Before the unfolding of the leaves the bark contains tannin and alkaloides in traces. (Jansen and Mendes, 1983).
15. Thunbergia lancifolia T. Andres (Acanthaceae). It can be found throughout Mozambique (1863), (Fig. 10). Application: the root is burned in mortar and the powder stirred, prepared as a mash used by women as a contraceptive. In the case of bilharsiasis the watery extract of the root is used. In the case of aches, the root is dried together with Asparagus racemosus Wild. Pseudolacnostys magnifolia Pax, Ozoroa reticulata R. and A. Fernandes, then the mixture is crused in a mortar with stickiness created by termites. In Zaire, the agnous extracts of leaves is put on burning lesions as it has a cicatrizational effect. The enumerated medicinal plants contain partly known and partly unknown active agents. However, the selfmade therapy induced the natives very soon to make observations and utilize the medicinal plant offered by living nature. The various examples give the natural scientists and medicine researchers a good basis for exploring new medicaments with real effects.
80
Discussion and conclusion The authors looked at the scope and scientific basis of herbal medicine in the context of traditional cultures in Mozambique and highlights both advantages and disadvantages of traditional medicine. The techniques employed are shown in traditional healing methods, and reflect the similarities in the practice of traditional medicine in the neighbouring countries, comparing of facts with other authors (Sofowora, 1982; Muravjeva, 1983; List and H&hammer, 1972). The plant kingdom is a veritable reservoir of chemical substances many of which are valuable agents. Unfortunateiy we know very little about the real active substances, their isolation structures, stabihty and dosing. For this reason many researchers have a special interest in traditional medicine and medicinal plants giving way to rational scientific analysis. References Braun, H. (1968) Heilpflanzen-Lexikon fiir Arzte und Aporkeker, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart. Dalziel, J.M. (1937) The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, The Crown Agents for the Colonies, London. Hoppe, H.A. (1975), Drogenkunde, de Gruyter and Co,, Berlin, New York. Jansen, P.C.M. and Mendes, 0. (1983) Plantas Medicinalis seu use traditional en Mozambique, Minerva Central, Maputo. Karrer, W.E., Cherbulicz, C. and Engster, H. (1977) Konstitution und Vor~o~~en der organischen P~anze~taffe (exkl. Alkaioide), Birkhauser Verlag, Base1 und Stuttgart. List, P.P. and Horhammer, H.F. (1972) Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. Medimoa, E.E. (1983) Medicinal Plants from Mozambique Minerva Central Press Maputo. Muravjeva, D.A. (1983) Tropicseszkije i stubtropicaeszkije lekarsztvenniije rasztenija
Medicina Moszkva 1. Ra&j, S. (1978) Zsebatlasz (Pocket-map), Kartogrufia, Budapest. Sofowora, A. (1982) Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine in Africa Wiley and Sons, Ltd., Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, Trease, G.E. and Evans, W. (1972) Pharmacognosy, 10th
Singapore. edn., Bailliere
Tindall,
London.
MEDICINAL
REZS~
PLANTS
VERZARa
IN MOZAMBIQUE
and GIZELLA
67
67-80
AND THEIR
POPULAR
USE
PETRI”
ainstitute of Forensic Medicine and ‘Institute University, Budapest (Hungary)
of Pharm5co~~y,
Semmelweis
Medic51
(Accepted October 21, 1986)
Summary
The authors give a review about plants used in the folk medicine of Mozambique, according to the literature and the personal experiences of the first author in dealing with people there. This paper shows their known active compounds and treatment of the therapeutical values as well as methods of application in Mozambique and in its neighbouring countries,
Mozambique lies in the southern hemisphere, with a more than lOOO-km long coastline, extending from Tanzania to the Union of South Africa (Rado, 1978). It has a population of about 9.5 million inhabitants. The surface of the country is 794,961 kma. The capital is Maputo. Formerly the country was a Portuguese colony and 47% of the population is Mamakua Negro, differing from the dominantly Bantu Negro population of the bordering Union of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. The highest mountain peak is Binga at 2436 m. The main rivers are the Limpopo and Zambezi, just as in Tanzania and Zimbabwe and biggest lake is the Nyassza, The constitutional form of the state is a People’s Republic. The population deals primarily in agricultural production, and the main activities are: the cultivation and production of sugar cane, maize, cotton and nutmeg, as well as cattle-, goat-, pig- and sheep-breeding. The sector of fishing is also very important, and its main area is the Mozambique Channel, a branch of the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar. Having an artistic taste the people prefer carving using sandal and ebony trees, or in some areas extensively Eucalyptus, as raw material. The popular therapeutical wealth differs to a great extent. However, sometimes there are references to the traditions of Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya, because the flora of these countries are similar. The first author was for 2 years in Maputo as an expert in forensic medicine. His experiences are expressed in this paper, in comparison with some references. The authors verified the biblio~aphic data with the actual uses of the described material. 037%8741/87/$05.25 0 1987 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Published and Printed in Ireland
68
The e~nobo~y, in Mozambique
chemistry and general ph~macol~
of medicinal plants
In the catalogue of the Minerva Central Press, by Medimoe (1983) we found 585 medicinal plants used. Here we show only those characteristic medicinal plants which could be met in folk medicine and are available in the market in Maputo. 1. Achyropsis leptostachia (E. Mey ex Meisn) Hook (Amaranthaceae) in South Mozambique. Application: for the treatment of rheumatism of the lower limbs. The whole plant is burnt, the ash mixed with castor oil and the mixture applied on the limb in question. The decoction of the plant is drunk in South Africa for the treatment of cholemesia and fever. In the case of tussis the root is used because of it’s richness in potassium and mucilage. 2. Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) kashew-nut is diffused throughout Mozambique (Fig. 1). Application: as a decoction of the barks in the case of diabetes. Its tincture and bark-extract diminish blood sugar level, using it as peroral. The effect is perceptible 15-20 min after insertion, reaches its maximum within 60-90 min and can be felt 3 h later. The kashew-nut has a hypoglychemic effect. (Trease and Evans, 1972). The petal of the flower confining card01 of brown colour (Karrer et al., 1977) can be applied to scars, freckles and warts, but it can be dangerous for sensitive skins. For rashes and bums it’s advisable to use externally. An ointment is made of the crushed leaves. For treatment of leprosy and anthelminthicy a nut oil is applied which contains card01 and anacardic acid (List and Hiirhammer, 1972). The nut oil and the delubricated nut has an antibiotical effect primarily on Gram positive bacteria used for liver trouble. The oil of the pericarp acts as a rubefacient and vesicant because of its phenocardol content (List and I&hammer, 1972). The resin of the bark and fruit contains salicyclic acid and resorcinol derivatires. In South and East Africa its pericarp is used for gargling in the treatment of fever and aphthas. The distilled liquid of the sap of the fleshy peduncle (false flower) has a diuretic effect, and is used for abdominal liquid and uterine disorders, The root of the plant is the so called: Purgative root. In West Africa pericarp is used in the treatment of scorbute; the ripe fleshy peduncle as a diuretic. In some areas of Sierra Leone the new leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and haemorrhoids. In the case of dysentery, the decoction of the leaves and the bark is internally applied. For throat-ache and gingivitis, the decoction of the leaves and the bark is used as a mouth washing and for gargling.
69
3. Anisotes ~or~osissi~~s (Klotsch) Milne-redhead (A~~tha~eae) (1861), (Fig. 2) is 2 m high and is found in Central Moz~bique and used for the curing of leprosy, Order: one part of the root is cooked as a mush and eaten. The other part is burned and put in the ashes on the mottles, After this the mush is eaten again. This mush has a purgative effect (Fig. 2). 4. Aerva leucura (L.) Moq. (Amaranthaceae) in South and East Mozambique. Application: for prevention of bowel worms and vomitus the decoction, or soak of the root is drunk for several hours (Hoppe, 1975). In Kenya it is used for increasing lactation. The root is applied for the treatment of snake-bite. In ~u~~~~~u the crushed grass is put on bodies affected by anychia. In Zaire the decoction of the root is drunk for curing throat-ache. Other uses: in Botswana and Tanzania the dry flowers are used for stuffing pillows. It has an insecticide effect. In Malawi the boiled leaves are used with hazel-nut, as a meal throughout the year. 5. Annona senegalensis Pers. subsp. senegalensis (Annonaceae) (1807). Spread in North and Central Mozambique and also near Maputo, up to 2400 m in height (Fig. 3). It is a plant of the savannas which blooms in December and gives fruit in March. Application: the plant is a sexual potential stimulant. The bark is chewed several times and the extract swallowed mixed with saliva. In the case of conjuncti~tis the bark has to be boiled together with ~ishrostaeys cinerea L. Wight et Am. and Garcinia Iivingstonei Anders and drunk twice a day until recovery. For the treatment of dysentery the root bark has to be soaked in water and the produced extract cooked as a mush and eaten. The other part of the extract is consumed if the sick person is thirsty. For the treatment of pharyngitis the root bark is crushed in hot water. For the treatment of spinal marrow diseases the root bark is crumbled and put in water. After boiling and filtration the liquid is then salted. A small quantity of the decoction can _be used for massaging the upper part of the backbone twice a day for a 15-day period. For the case of menstruation the root is boiled and a half cup of the decoction drunk three timesa day until recovery. For treating epilepsy the root is crushed together with Fsorosper~~,~ ~ebri~~gu~ Spack, Turrea nilotic Yotschy et Peyr, Helichrysum kirkii oliv. et Hiern ex oliv. and Fudoguric katengensis De Willd. The plant can be soaked in water and the extract mixed with rice. A spoon full of it can be used morning and evening, for the treatment of wounds. (Sofowora, 1982). Active agents: wax, sugar, glucosides, proteins, amino acids, (Dalziel, 1937) mucus and tannin. 6. Boophone d&i&a (L.f.) Herb. syn. Buphone 1525 (Amaryllidaceae). Applied for increasing sexual potency (Fig. 4). The onion is cut in slices
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and put into water and shaken the next day. For the case of paralysis the root is burned and grinded. After making a tattoo into the paralysed part the powder is applied. Following that, the root of Eriostema englerianum Flavus is crushed in a mortar and boiled well in water. Then a cloth is moistened with the decoction to make a bandage for head-, ventral- and throat-aches. For weakness and eye diseases, the dry leaves of the onion are used. In the cases of furuncule, burn, urticaria and after circumcision a bandage is made with the dry leaves of the onion. For inflammatory wounds, the lamellas of the tormented onion are used locally. For the case of infected scars, the dry leaves are used locally, and a bandage, made of the leaves of the tormented onion applied. It eases the pain and helps purulence get out. In skin diseases and phlebitis dry leaves moistened with milk or oil are used. Other applications: the plant can be used as an arrowpoison. Toxicity: the onion can be of lethal effect on people and animals, while the upper parts are not poisonous. The onions of the plants flourishing in the shade are less toxic than those grown in the sun, so the animals sometimes eat them without doing any harm to their health. Active agents: in the onion there are alkaloids such as buphanamine, narcissin, lycorin, hemantin, etc. Buphanamine alkaloid approaches the physiological effect of the hyoscyamine (Karrer et al., 1977). 7. Ceiba pentar,dra (L.) Gaetn. Bomba caceae is a typical tropical plant from America, Asia and Africa (Muravjeva, 1983). Twenty-seven metre high trees, with a very thiele base, wide-spread roots and decorative flowers. Fatty oil content of its seeds is 25%. Named oleum kapok? the main compound is 40-45% linolenic acid. Bombax ceiba L,. is also well known for the same reason. The fatty oil is partly for cooking and for healing the wounds. 8. Crinum delagoense Verdoorn (Amaryllidaceae), (1837) (Fig. 5). Can be found in South Mozambique, near Maputo. Application: the onion is heated, cut into pieces, prepared as a vaccine and added locally onto the furuncule. The onion has a lactogogue (lactiferrous) effect and in this case must be used externally, to promote the abundant and durable secretion of milk, by older women too. In the case of body tumefaction (distension) and oedema onion is applied in the Zambezi district, mostly. The effective components are haemanthamin, crinamin and crinidin isoquinolinic alkaloids. 9 Cleistochlamys kirkii (Benth) Oliv. (Annonaceae), (Fig 6), (1985). Spread near Maputo, Central and North Mozambique. The height of the tree is between 2 and 10 m and is characteristic of the forests in Mozambique. Use: applied externally on haemorrhoid wounds. In the cases of rheumatism and tuberculosis decoction is used two to three times a day (Sofowora, 1982).
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10. Hermbstuedtia odor&a (Burch.) T. Cooke (Amaranthaceae), (1822), can be found in the vicinity of Mapute (Fig. 7). Application: for children as a diuretic through drinking the decoction of the root. In South Africa the Zulus use the root itself for gastric lavage. Sometimes it is mixed with parts of Acacia xanthuphloea Benth. and or Capparis tomentosa L. 11. Lannea edulis Engl. var. edulis (Anacardiaceae) (described for the first time in 1860). On the border of Swaziland and Zimbabwe and in North Mozambique it can be found as a plant of the savannas. Use: in the case of bleeding diarrhoea the stalk is dried and crushed in a mortar, then a tea-spoonful of the powder of the root is put into the mush. In South Africa, in the case of diarrhoea, the cold decoction of the root is drunk. In the case of haemoglobinurial fever so called “blackwater fever”, a critical form of malaria (especially for persons treated with quinine) the root decoction is drunk, using primarily high and frequent doses of the root bark. In Malawi the root extract is used in order to keep back the faeces. In Kenya the root decoction is frequently applied by women for easing parturition labour. In Tanzania the root decoction is drunk to cure dysentery. In Zaire the sapwook of the omission crushed in a mortar is used in the case of intercostal myalgia, and in the form of plastron, for treating bruises on the trunk. Other application: the succulent pulp of the fruit is edible and has a pleasant taste. The active components are quercetin-3-arabinosid, flavan 3,4diol, antraquinones and ellagic acid. - Lannea schimperi Engl. (Anacardiaceae). Spread in North Mozambique (1847), a characteristic plant of the tropical Africa. Application: in the case of abdominal aches the bark-decoction is drunk. In the case of tussis the decoction of the whole plant is used. In Malawi it is used as a treatment for dysentery. The root bark decoction is drunk as a cure for dysentery and syphilis. In Kenya the root is used to treat constipation and abdominal diseases in the form of decoction. To treat serious or bloody diarrhoea the sap of the pulverized leaves is drunk. In the case of throat-ache the mouth is washed with the root decoction. - Lannea stuhlmannii Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is widespread throughout Mozambique (1895). Application: in the cases of continuous or cholera-like diarrhoea half-a-cup of the root decoction is drunk every 4 h. For mental diseases, the leaves are soaked in water and dropped into the nose (3 drops) three times a day. In the case of gonorrhaea the root bark decoction is drunk. In the case of yellowish breast-milk the breast is washed twice a day with the root bark decoction. For the treatment of tussis the root is burned, mixed with
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salt, ground and turned into mush or mixed with curry, then taken twice a day, in the morning before meals, and in the afternoon. For the treatment of tuberculosis, the root bark decoction is prepared with other plants. The hot decoction is drunk three times a day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening. In East Africa it is used in the form of a bandage made from the mass of the leaves, for the treatment of furuncules, lesions, carbuncles and abscesses. In Kenya the bark decoction is drunk for headache and ventral aches. For the treatment of poliomyletis and paralysis the method is to wash with the decoction of the leaves. In difficult birth a pulpy poultice of the leaves is put on the mother’s abdomen. Other use: in several places the fruit is consumed. 12. Ozoroa obouatu (Oliv.) R. et A. Fern. var. gomesiunu (Anacardiaceae). Wide-spread in the whole territory of Mozambique (1868). Application: in the case of diarrhoea the root is sliced into very small pieces and the decoction of that is used in a dosage of, 2 table-spoonful1 for adults and 1 tea-spoonful1 for children, 3 times a day. The root bark salty decoction is drunk twice a day for curing arthralgia, headache action and fever generalized oedemas beginning on the lower limbs and on the face. The sick patient is covered with a wrapping to make it possible for him/her to inhale the decoction of the leaves in hot water, mixed with Tetruceru and Commiphora sph. (List and Horhammer, 1972). In the case of diseases accompanied by shivering, arthralgia and myalgias around the lumbar region the leaves are boiled together with Purinani curatellifoliu Plancti ex Beuth or Byrsocarpus orientalis (Paill) Bak and Entudu ubyssinica Steud. ex A. Rich. Covered with a cloth, the vapour is inhaled. Later a bath is taken with the same decoction and the treatment followed for 1 week. The ointment made of the crushed leaves in a mortar can be applied for lesions, too. If the body swells, the whole body is embrocated with the cold watery extract of the crushed leaves. Half a cup of a root decoction is drunk in the morning and afternoon. The blood is thoroughly washed off and cold watery extract of the root drunk three times a day. A general opinion is that to drink the decoction of the root cut into pieces, it is effective for many things in a dosage of 3 times 2 teaspoonsfull 3 times a day for children until the 6th month and tablespoonsfull 3 times a day for adults. In the treatment of rheumatism the cold watery extract of the root is drunk 3 times a day. Malawi: the root decoction is drunk in the case of indigestion. Kenya: in the treatment of dysentery the root and bark decoction is drunk 3 times a day. Toxicity: the leaves, the bark and the flowers give dermatitis to anyone who touches or uses them. The leaves are of lethal effect to humans and animals. The sap is a strong vesicant, and is used often with Harungana mudugascariensis Lam. G. Poir. bark (Braun, 1974). The leaves and the root contain tannin.
Fig. 8. Ozoroa reticulata.
(Bak. F). R. et A. Fern. (Anacardiaceae). Spread in North and East Mozambique (1899), (Fig. 8). Application: for treatment of venereal disease. The water-moistened root is placed on the wounds together with Aloe chabaudii Schiienl. In the case of sterility the root is mixed with the bark of Garcinia huillensis Welw. ex Oliv. It is ground and eaten in the form of mush 2 times a day, in the morning and in the afternoon, In the case of thrust-like pains it is mixed with Thunbergia lancifolia T. Anders (Acanthaceae). For treatment of tuberculosis of the root is cut into pieces together with the root of Aspilia mossambicensis (Oliv.) Wild and Helichrysum hi&ii Oliv. et Hiern. ex Oliv. Clematopis scabiosifolia Boj. ex Hutchinson, Clerodendron discolor (Klotzsch) Vatke. It is then dried and put on glowing coal. The patient is covered with a blanket or a cloth and the fumes are inhaled. East Africa: the bark is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis. Malawi: for the treatment of constipation and venereal diseases the decoction of this root, mixed with others is drunk. In the treatment of dysentery the bark decoction is drunk. In the case of ophtalmia the pulverized bark is used. Kenya: in the cases of diarrhoea and stomach-ache the bark decoction is drunk. Tanzania: in the treatment of dysentery the bark decoction is drunk. The root extract is used as a lactogogue. The fresh root is eaten or tea made of the powder of the root bark and used in the treatment of malaria. The root decoction is used as an aphrodisiac. Toxicity: if the plant is used as a medicine its active compounds have a lethal effect.
- Ozoroa reticulata
13. Rhus longipes, Engl. var. longipes (Anacardiaceae), (1883). Spread in Central Mozambique as the plant of the savannas. Use: in the treatment of ventral aches the root is used together with Sclerocarya caffra Sond. and Ectadiopsis oblongifolia (Meisn.) Bullock. In the cases male and female sterility, the water soaked root is put in a jug and drunk 1 h later. Kenya: in the treatment of ventral aches and indigestion the root decoction is drunk. In the case of influenza the root is boiled and its fumes inhaled. - Rhus natalensis Beruh. ex Krausz. (Anacardiaceae). Spread in West, Central and South Mozambique. Use: in the case of asthma tea is made of the roots to be drunk. South and East Africa: in the cases abortion and repeated dead birth and for children in the case of cramps the root is applied. The sap of the leaves is applied in the case of wet dermatitis and furunculosis. For internal diseases the fruit is used, while in the case of taenia the whole plant is used. Kenya: for ancylostoma (preventing worms) the root decoction is applied. In the treatment of constipation the fumes of the hot water, containing the leaves, are inhaled. For curing ventral aches the hot water or cold water
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extract of the root, crushed in mortar, is drunk. Especially for children, it is advisable to drink the decoction of the leaves. In the treatment of gonorrhoea the cold water or hot water extract of the root, crushed in mortar, is drunk. In the cases of influenza and tussis application is as above. Malawi: the small fruit is eaten by children. Active ingredient: the bark is of 15.2% tannic acid. The genus Rhus are synonymous to genus Cotinus (List and Horhammer, 1972). 14. Sclerocarya caffra Sond (1850), (Anacardiaceae). Spread throughout Mozambique (Fig. 9). Application: in the case of diarrhoea the roots are dried and crushed in a mortar. It is prepared in a mush and a half cup of the decoction eat,en or drunk 3 times a day. South Africa: in the cases of diarrhoea and dysentery the bark decoction is drunk (200 ml). The beer made of the fruit, is of high therapeutical value if used in treating scorbutus. In the case of malaria the decoction of the bark is very useful when drunk because the tannin has an antimalaria effect. Malawi: the bark is used in the treatment of dysentery. Kenya: in the cases of tooth-ache, constipation and stomach diseases the root is used. Other application: the fruit is edible and alcoholic drinks are made from it. Pernicious effects: it may cause proctitis and malarial fever (or something similar). The fruit can be very toxic. Main active agents: the sap of the fruit contains 3 times more vitamin C than an orange. The pulp of the fruit contains citric acid and maleic acid. The nut is rich in fatty oil and contains protein and iodine. Before the unfolding of the leaves the bark contains tannin and alkaloides in traces. (Jansen and Mendes, 1983).
15. Thunbergia lancifolia T. Andres (Acanthaceae). It can be found throughout Mozambique (1863), (Fig. 10). Application: the root is burned in mortar and the powder stirred, prepared as a mash used by women as a contraceptive. In the case of bilharsiasis the watery extract of the root is used. In the case of aches, the root is dried together with Asparagus racemosus Wild. Pseudolacnostys magnifolia Pax, Ozoroa reticulata R. and A. Fernandes, then the mixture is crused in a mortar with stickiness created by termites. In Zaire, the agnous extracts of leaves is put on burning lesions as it has a cicatrizational effect. The enumerated medicinal plants contain partly known and partly unknown active agents. However, the selfmade therapy induced the natives very soon to make observations and utilize the medicinal plant offered by living nature. The various examples give the natural scientists and medicine researchers a good basis for exploring new medicaments with real effects.
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Discussion and conclusion The authors looked at the scope and scientific basis of herbal medicine in the context of traditional cultures in Mozambique and highlights both advantages and disadvantages of traditional medicine. The techniques employed are shown in traditional healing methods, and reflect the similarities in the practice of traditional medicine in the neighbouring countries, comparing of facts with other authors (Sofowora, 1982; Muravjeva, 1983; List and H&hammer, 1972). The plant kingdom is a veritable reservoir of chemical substances many of which are valuable agents. Unfortunateiy we know very little about the real active substances, their isolation structures, stabihty and dosing. For this reason many researchers have a special interest in traditional medicine and medicinal plants giving way to rational scientific analysis. References Braun, H. (1968) Heilpflanzen-Lexikon fiir Arzte und Aporkeker, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart. Dalziel, J.M. (1937) The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, The Crown Agents for the Colonies, London. Hoppe, H.A. (1975), Drogenkunde, de Gruyter and Co,, Berlin, New York. Jansen, P.C.M. and Mendes, 0. (1983) Plantas Medicinalis seu use traditional en Mozambique, Minerva Central, Maputo. Karrer, W.E., Cherbulicz, C. and Engster, H. (1977) Konstitution und Vor~o~~en der organischen P~anze~taffe (exkl. Alkaioide), Birkhauser Verlag, Base1 und Stuttgart. List, P.P. and Horhammer, H.F. (1972) Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. Medimoa, E.E. (1983) Medicinal Plants from Mozambique Minerva Central Press Maputo. Muravjeva, D.A. (1983) Tropicseszkije i stubtropicaeszkije lekarsztvenniije rasztenija
Medicina Moszkva 1. Ra&j, S. (1978) Zsebatlasz (Pocket-map), Kartogrufia, Budapest. Sofowora, A. (1982) Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine in Africa Wiley and Sons, Ltd., Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, Trease, G.E. and Evans, W. (1972) Pharmacognosy, 10th
Singapore. edn., Bailliere
Tindall,
London.