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Africa is a treasure trove of medicinal plants: here are seven that are popular

Africa is a treasure trove of medicinal plants: here are seven that are popular

ADEYEMI OLADAPO AREMU and NOX MAKUNGA PLANTS have directly contributed to the development of important drugs. The antimalarial treatment artemisinin, pain medication morphine, and cancer chemotherapy taxol are just three examples of drugs derived from plants. Africa is endowed with up to 45,000 plant species – about 25% of the world’s plant genetic resources. More than 5,000 plant species from this enormous African resource are used in traditional medicines. Medicinal plant specialists Associate Professor Adeyemi Aremu and Professor Nox Makunga highlight some of these plants. Artemisia afra. Dr Marietjie Stander Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd. (African wormwood) Artemisia afra is…
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South African researchers are looking at medicinal plants for possible COVID-19 treatments

South African researchers are looking at medicinal plants for possible COVID-19 treatments

SOUTH Africa has a long tradition of using plants for medicinal purposes. Some of these, such as Aloe ferox, Sutherlandia frutescens and Kiggelaria africana, have been studied as sources of useful compounds. But most still need to be scientifically validated as treatments for particular diseases. DEPIKA DWARKA, Post doctoral Fellow, Durban University of Technology Medicinal plants are gradually gaining prominence in scientists’ search for potential treatment agents for COVID-19. Currently, there is no specific antiviral drug to treat this new respiratory disease. Most treatment strategies focus on managing symptoms and supportive therapy such as supplementary oxygen and mechanical ventilation. My…
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