TARGET SPECIES / PRIMARY PLANT SPECIES
1. Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning (Family: Fabaceae)
Synonym:
Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R.Br.
Common names: Cancer bush, balloon pea, kankerbos, lerumo-la-madi, musa-pelo
Figure 1. Cancer bush plant with red flowers, seed pods, and seeds.
Lessertia frutescens is indigenous to southern Africa and has been used in traditional medicine as an antidiabetic, antistress, and antituberculosis agent, and for pain relief. It is also used traditionally in the management of cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Lessertia frutescens has a wide distribution, occurring in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, North-West, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa. It is an ingredient of many herbal supplements in the market.
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2. Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC ex Meisn. (Family: Pedaliaceae)
Common names: Devil's claw, wood spider, grapple plant, sengaparile
Figure 2. Devil's claw plants showing the flower, seeds and the primary as well as secondary tubers.
Harpagophytum procumbens is another species indigenous to southern Africa, growing naturally in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. In South Africa, the species grows naturally in the North-West, Northern Cape, and western part of the Free State. Harpagophytum procumbens is reported to have anti-inflammatory effect, used for the treatment of arthritis, and historically used to treat a wide range of conditions including fever, malaria, and indigestion.
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3.
Mesembryanthemum tortuosum L. (Family: Aizoaceae)
Synonym:
Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E. Br.
Common names: Kanna, kougoed
Figure 3. Kanna plant in full vegetative stage, flowering stage, and early seeding stage.
Mesembryanthemum tortuosum is a succulent medicinal herb indigenous to South Africa. The aerial parts of the species are traditionally used for the relief of pain and toothache, and as hunger suppressant. A number of products made from
M. tortuosum are used to treat central nervous system-related disorders.
Mesembryanthemum
tortuosum is naturally distributed in the south-western parts of South Africa, especially in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape Provinces.
