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Medicinal Plants of South Africa for High Blood Pressure (HBP)

Teedia plant

In South Africa, there are several indigenous plants and herbs that have been traditionally used to help manage high blood pressure (hypertension). Below is information on plants outlined in the noted research paper focusing on hypertension.

Title: A Review of Plants Used in South African Traditional Medicine for the Management and Treatment of Hypertension
Purpose: This review presents an overview of medicinal plants utilized in South Africa for the management of hypertension, aiming to highlight their pharmacological properties as antihypertensives based on indigenous usage. In addition to discussing the antihypertensive effects of these medicinal plants, this review also examines their phytochemical compositions and explores other ethnopharmacological and therapeutic properties associated with them.

Table 1 South African Medicinal Plants Documented for High Blood Pressure (HBP) Control

Name
Family
Common name (Zulu/Afrikaans)
Plant type
Part(s) used
Evidence of documented HBP use
Ethnobotanical indications on
HBP
References
Achyranthes aspera
Amaranthaceae
Isinama
Herb
Roots
[26]
NS
[26]
Acokanthera oppositifolia
Apocynaceae
inHlungunyembe
Shrub
Leaves, roots stem
[24]
Maceration
[24]
Adenopodia spinata
Fabaceae
Ubobo
Shrub
Leaves, roots
[26]
Maceration
[26, 34]
Agapanthus africanus
Amaryllidaceae
Ubani
Herb
Leaves, roots
[26]
Maceration, infusion
[26, 34]
Agathosma betulina
Rutaceae
Regteboegoe
Shrub
Leaves, stem
[29]
Infusion
[29]
Agave americana
Asparagaceae
Unknown
Shrub
Leaves
[31]
Decoction
[26, 31, 34]
Albertisia delagoensis
Menispermaceae
Umgandaganda
Shrub
Rhizome, leaves, stem,
root
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Alepidea amatymbica
Apiaceae
iKhathazo
Shrub
Rhizomes, roots
[24]
NS
[24]
Allium sativum
Amaryllidaceae
Unknown
Herb
Flower bud
[25, 27]
NS
[27]
Aloe ferox
Asphodelaceae
iNhlaba
Shrub
Leaves/sap
[27, 28, 33, 110]
NS
[33]
Aloe marlothii
Asphodelaceae
inhlaba umhlaba
Herb
Leaves, roots
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Aloe striatula
Asphodelaceae
Unknown
Shrub
NS
[28]
NS
[28]
Amaranthus dubius
Amaranthaceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves
FPR
Maceration
[18]
Amaranthus hybridus
Amaranthaceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves
FPR
Maceration
[18]
Arachis hypogaea
Fabaceae
Amakinati
Herb
Leaves, seed
[32]
Decoction
[33]
Artemisia afra
Asteraceae
Mhlonyane
Shrub
Leaves
[27, 33]
Infusion
[27, 33]
Asystasia gangetica
Acanthaceae
Isihobo
Herb
Leaves
FPR
Maceration
[18]
Ballota africana
Lamiaceae
Kattekruide
Shrub
Leaves
[24, 25, 33]
Infusion
[27, 33]
Cadaba aphylla
Brassiceae
Bobbejaanarm
Shrub
Leaves, stem
[33]
Infusion
[33]
Canabis sativa
Cannabaceae
Nsangu
Herb
Leaves
[24, 29–30, 32]
Infusion, decoction
[29, 32]
Carpobrotus dimidiatus
Mesembryanthemaceae
Ikhambi lamabulawo
Herb
Leaves, stem, fruit
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Catha edulis
Celastraceae
Umhlwazi
Shrub
Leaves
[26]
Maceration
[26, 34]
Catharanthus roseus
Apocynaceae
Unknown
Herb/ sub-shrub
Roots, flower, seeds
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Chrysocoma ciliata
Asteraceae
Kaalsiektebos
Shrub
Leaves, roots
[33]
Decoction
[33]
Cinnamomum camphora
Lauraceae
Uroselina
Tree
Gum
[24]
NS
[24]
Cissampelos capensis
Menispermaceae
Fynblaarklimop
Shrub
Roots
[24, 29]
Infusion
[29]
Citrullus lanatus
Curcurbitaceae
Bitterwaatlemoen
Herb
Fruit, seed, leaves
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Citrus limon
Rutaceae
Ulamula
Shrub/ small tree
Peel of fruit, pulp, root
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Citrus maxima
Rutaceae
Upapamuzi
Tree
Fruit
[32]
N/A (taken raw)
[32]
Cladostemon kirkii
Capparaceae
umThekwini
Shrub/ small tree
Root, stem, bark
[32]
Maceration, decoction
[32]
Clausena anisata
Rutaceae
Umnukambhiba
Shrub
Leaves, roots
[26]
Maceration, decoction
[26, 34, 65]
Commelina africana
Commelinaceae
Idangabane
Herb
Whole plant
[26, 30]
Decoction (T. capensis)
[30]
Commelina benghalensis
Commelinaceae
Idangabane
Herb
Whole plant
[26]
Poultice
[26]
Convolvulus capensis
Convolvulaceae
Skaapklimop
Shrub
Bulb
[33]
Decoction
[33]
Conyza scabrida
Asteraceae
Umanzimnyama
Shrub
Leaves
[27]
Infusion
[24, 27]
Crinum macowanii
Amaryllidaceae
Umdube
Herb
Bulbs, leaves, whole plants
[24]
NS
[24]
Crassula muscosa
Crassulaceae
Skoenvetebos
Herb
Leaves, stem, roots, flowers
[33]
Decoction
[33]
Dicerothamnius rhinocerotis
Asteraceae
Ranosterbos
Small shrub
Leaves, stem
[33]
NS
[33]
Dicoma anomala
Asteraceae
Umuna
Herb
Leaves, roots
[24, 28]
NS
[24, 28]
Dicoma capensis
Asteraceae
Koorsbossie
Herb
Leaves, twigs, roots
[24]
NS
[24]
Dietes iridioides
Iridaceae
isishuphe somfula
Herb
Leaves, roots, rhizomes
[26]
Maceration, infusion
[26, 34, 65]
Diosma oppositifolia
Rutaceae
Bitterboegoe
Shrub
Leaves, stem, flowers
[33]
NS
[33]
Dipcadi brevifolium
Hyacinthaceae
Ikhakahkha
Herb
Bulb
[26]
Decoction
[26]
Dombeya rotundifolia
Malvaceae
iNhliziyonkhulu
Tree
Leaves, roots
[26]
Maceration
[26, 34]
Drimia elata
Asparageceae
Undongana- zibomvana
Herb
Bulb
[26]
NS
[26]
Ekebergia capensis
Meliaceae
Essenhout
Tree
Leaves, bark
[26]
NS
[26]
Elephantorrhiza elephantina
Fabaceae
Intolwane
Sub-shrub
Leaves, rhizome
[26, 29, 30]
Infusion
[29]
Elytropappus rhinocerotis
Asteraceae
renosterbos
Shrub
Leaves
[27]
Infusion
[27]
Eriobotrya įaponica
Rosaceae
Unknown
Shrub/ small tree
Leaves
[31]
Infusion
[31]
Eriocephalus africanus
Asteraceae
Kapokbos
Shrub
Leaves
[24, 25, 27, 30]
Infusion
[27]
Euclea undulata
Ebenaceae
Inkunzane
Shrub/ small tree
Bark, roots, whole plant
[24]
Infusion
[24]
Euryops abrotanifolius
Asteraceae
Bergharpuisbos
Shrub
Leaves, stems
[33]
NS
[33]
Galinsoga parviflora
Asteraceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves
FPR
Maceration
[18]
Geranium incanum
Geraniaceae
Vrouetee
Grass or small herb
Leaves, stem
[29]
Decoction
[29]
Gethyllis spp
Amaryllidaceae
Koekoemakranka
N/A
Seeds, pod
[27]
Maceration
[27]
Helichrysum crispum
Asteraceae
Hotnotskooigoed
Herb
Leaves
[25, 27]
Infusion
[27]
Helichrysum odoratissimum
Asteraceae
Imphepho
Herb
Leaves, roots
[29]
Infusion
[29]
Hoodia gordonii
Apocynaceae
Bobbejaanghaap
Herb
Leaves, stem
[110]
NS
[110]
Hyphaene coriacea
Arecaceae
iLala
Tree
Roots
[32]
NS
[32]
Hypoxis argentea
Hypoxidaceae
Inongwe
Herb
Corm, tuber
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Hypoxis colchicifolia
Hypoxidaceae
Ilabatheka
Herb
Bulb
[29]
NS (chewed)
[29]
Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Hypoxidaceae
Inkomfe
Grasses or small herb
Corm, roots
[29, 32]
Decoction
[29, 32]
Justicia flava
Acanthaceae
Impela
Herb
Leaves
FPR
Maceration
[18]
Lantana camara
Verbenaceae
Ubukhwebezane
Shrub
Roots
[31]
Infusion/decoction
[31]
Leonotis leonurus
Lamiaceae
Umfincafincane
Shrub
Leaves, roots, flowers, whole
plant
[27, 33]
Decoction
[27, 33]
Lessertia frutescens
Fabaceae
Umnwele
Shrub
Leaves, shoot
[29, 33, 110]
Decoction
[29]
Leucosidea sericea
Rosaceae
Umtshitshi
Small tree
NS
[28]
NS
[28]
Lichtensteinia lacera
Apiaceae
Kalmiswortel
Herb
Leaves, stem
[33]
Infusion
[33]
Lippia įavanica
Verbanaceae
Umsuzwane
Shrub
Leaves
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Medicago sativa
Fabaceae
Unknown
Herb
Whole plant
[31]
Decoction
[28, 31]
Mentha aquatica
Lamiaceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves, stem, seed
[28, 30]
Infusion
[28, 30]
Mentha longifolia
Lamiaceae
ufuthana lomhlanaga
Herb
Leaves, stem
[30, 33]
Decoction
[33]
Mesembryanthe- mum spp.
Aizoaceae
Unknown
N/A
Leaves, stem
[26]
Maceration, decoction
[26, 34]
Momordica balsamina
Curcurbitaceae
Intshungu
Herb
Leaves
[32]
Decoction
[32, 75]
Momordica charantia
Curcurbitaceae
Unknown
Herb
Whole plant
FPR
Maceration
[75]
Momordica foetida
Curcurbitaceae
Intshungu
Herb
Leaves, stem
[26]
NS
[26]
Musa acuminata
Musaceae
Ihliziyo
Herb
Flower bracts
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Ocimum basilicum
Lamiaceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves, stem
[29]
Infusion
[29]
Oldenlandia affinis
Rubiaceae
Umampeshane
Herb
Root
[26]
Decoction
[26]
Olea europaea subsp. africana
Oleaceae
Umnquma
Tree
Leaves, roots
[23, 24, 26–29]
Decoction
[29]
Opuntia ficus
Cactaceae
Umthelekisi
Shrub/tree
Roots
[31]
Decoction
[31]
Oxygonum sinuatum
Polygonaceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves
FPR
Maceration
[18]
Ozoroa engleri
Anacardiaceae
Isifico
Tree
Roots, bark, leaves
[32]
Decoction
[111]
Pentanisia prunelloides
Rubiaceae
Icimamlilo
Herb
Rhizome, corm, roots
[24, 26]
NS
[26]
Persea americana
Lauraceae
Unknown
Tree
Leaf, pulp, fruit, root
[31]
Decoction
[31]
Peucedanum galbanum
Apiaceae
Droedas
Shrub
Leaves
[24]
Infusion
[24]
Physalis viscosa
Solanaceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves
FPR
Maceration
[18]
Protorhus longifolia
Anacardiaceae
Uzintlwa
Tree
Bark, leaves
[26]
Maceration
[26, 34]
Psidium guaįava
Myrtaceae
Koejawel
Shrub/ small tree
Leaves, roots
[31, 32]
Decoction
[31, 32]
Pyrenacantha kaurabassana
Icacinaceae
Unknown
Shrub
Bulb, tuber
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Ptaeroxylon obliquum
Rutaceae
umThathi
Tree
Roots
[24, 32]
Maceration
[26, 32]
Rapanea melanophloeos
Myrsinaceae
iKhubalwane
Tree
Bark
[26]
NS
[26]
Rauvolfia caffra
Apocynaceae
umHlambamanzi
Tree
Bark, stem, whole plant
[24]
NS
[24]
Rhoicissus digitata
Vitaceae
umNangwazi
Shrub
Tubers, bulb
[29]
Infusion
[29]
Rhus chirindensis
Anacardiaceae
Umhlabamvudu
Tree
Leaves, roots, bark, twigs, fruits
[26]
Maceration
[34]
Ricinus communis
Euphorbiaceae
Umhlakuva
Shrub
Leaves
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Ruta graveolens
Rutaceae
Unknown
Shrub
Leaves
[24, 25, 27, 29]
Infusion
[27, 29]
Salvia africana-caerulea
Lamiaceae
Wildesalie
Shrub
Twig, leaves
[28, 33]
Infusion
[33]
Sarcophyte sanguinea
Balanophoraceae
Umvumbuka
Herb
Whole plant, Stem, root
[32]
Infusion, decoction
[32]
Sarcostemma viminale
Apocynaceae
Umbelebele
Shrub
Stem, aerial parts, twigs
[32]
Infusion
[32]
Sceletium tortuosum
Aizoaceae
Tandtrekbos
Herb
Leaves, roots
[33]
NS
[33]
Schkuhria pinnata
Asteraceae
Ruhwahwa
Herb
Whole plant
[29]
Infusion, decoction
[31]
Sclerocarya birrea
Anacardiaceae
Maroela
Tree
Bark, leaves, stem-bark, stem
[26]
Decoction
[26]
Scolopia mundii
Salicaceae
iHlambahlale
Tree
Bark
[26]
NS
[26]
Searsia burchellii
Anacardiaceae
Karookoeniebos
Shrub/ small tree
Leaves, stem, roots
[33]
Infusion
[33]
Senecio bupleuroides
Asteraceae
Isiqandamatshana
Shrub
NS
[26]
NS
[26]
Senecio inornatus
Asteraceae
Uhlabo
Herb/small shrub
Root
[26]
Decoction
[26]
Senecio serratuloides
Asteraceae
Ichazampukane
Herb
Leaves, stem
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Spermacoce natalensis
Rubiaceae
Umabophe
Herb
Bark, roots, leaves
[26]
NS
[46]
Stangeria eriopus
Zamiaceae
Umfigwani
Cycad
Root, leaves
[26]
NS
[34]
Strychnos madagascariensis
Strychnaceae
umKwakwa
Tree
Seeds, bark, roots, fruit
[32]
NS (crush to powder for swallowing)
[32]
Teedia lucida
Scrophulariaceae
Hlwenya
Herb/dwarf shrub
NS
[28]
NS
[28]
Tephrosia capensis
Fabaceae
Unknown
Small shrub
Root
[26]
Decoction
[28]
Tetradenia riparia
Lamiaceae
Ibozane
Shrub/tree
Leaves, seeds
[32]
Decoction
[32]
Trichilia emetica
Meliaceae
Umathuzini
Tree
Leaves, fruits, roots, bark, stem
[32]
Poultice, decoction
[32]
Trifolium africanum
Fabaceae
Wildeklawer
Herb
Whole plant
[28, 30]
Infusion
[30]
Trifolium burchellianum
Fabaceae
Usithathi
Herb
Leaf, stem, roots
[28, 30]
Infusion (combined with M. aquatica)
[30]
Tulbaghia acutiloba
Alliaceae
Ishaladi Lezinyoka
Herb
Bulb, flower, Whole plant
[28, 30]
Infusion, decoction
[30]
Tulbaghia violacea
Alliaceae
Wilde knoffel
Herb
Rhizome, bulb, leaves, roots
[24, 26–29, 33]
Infusion, decoctions
[27, 29, 33]
Turraea floribunda
Meliaceae
Umadlozane
Tree
Bark, leaves, roots
[26]
Infusions
[26]
Urtica urens
Urticaceae
Unknown
Herb
Leaves
[30]
Decoction
[30]
Valeriana capensis
Valerianaceae
Wildebalderjan
Herb
Rhizomes, roots
[24]
NS
[24]
Vangueria infausta
Rubiaceae
umTulwa
Shrub/small tree
Bark, leaves
[32]
Maceration, infusion
[32]
Warburgia salutaris
Canellaceae
Isibhaha
Tree
Bark, root
[110]
NS
[110]
See also  Diagrams of the Large Intestine (Colon)

FPR: from pharmacological report; NS: not stated or specified; N/A: not applicable

Reference:

Fatai Oladunni Balogun, Anofi Omotayo Tom Ashafa: A Review of Plants Used in South African Traditional Medicine for the Management and Treatment of Hypertension – Published online: 2018-11-26

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