Types of Plant Roots that are Used as Traditional Medicine in Africa

Traditional medicine is the total sum of skills, knowledge, and practices. These practices are specifically based on the beliefs, experiences, and theories that are indigenous to different cultures. Also, these practices are used to maintain the health and wellness of human beings as well as to prevent, diagnose, treat, or improve mental and physical illnesses.

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Since everything around has changed, the use and manufacturing of medicines have also changed a lot. Nowadays, medicines are mostly man-made and made with engineering techniques. Initially, a long time ago, traditional medicines were made entirely through herbs, roots, and plants of important genres. Such plant roots had the potential to treat a number of diseases without any risk. Even now, many plant roots are used as traditional medicines, especially in Africa.

Types of Plant Roots as Medicine

African traditional medicine is the oldest yet most assorted of all therapeutic systems. Having a rich biological as well as cultural diversity, this region is considered to be the cradle of mankind. The diversity of Africa is marked by prominent regional differences in healing practices. However, traditional African medicine is holistic in its varied forms involving body and mind equally.

Africa is blessed with a lot of medicinal plants. Some of these are roots having strong medicinal attributes. Here are a few plant roots that are used as traditional medicines in Africa

Ginkgo

Ginkgo is a living fossil from more than 270 million years ago. It is now used in extracts, capsules, and tablets. Ginkgo can treat a number of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Although it is a Chinese herb, due to its great importance, it is vigorously used in African states as well.

It is indeed one of the oldest homeopathic plants with many great uses. Its dried tea is considerably used for eye inflammation and certain other eye diseases. But it is not recommended to be used by people who tend to consume blood thinners.

Turmeric

We all know about turmeric, its color, and its taste. Turmeric powder is significantly used in cooking. It has an amazing texture and scent when added to different recipes. The root of turmeric has great importance in the industry of medicines.

Turmeric root has tons of significance such as it has anti-cancer properties and eliminates DNA-related mutations. As an anti-inflammatory product, it can be taken as a supplement and it’s been used topically for people with arthritis who wish to relieve discomfort. It’s used worldwide as a cooking ingredient, which makes it a delicious yet antioxidant addition to many dishes.

Evening primrose oil

Primrose is more like a moonflower. This is because when the sun rises, it blooms its petals to the fullest. In Africa, every corner is crowded with primrose flowers or leaves. The roots of this flower secrete oil which has many uses.

It can be used as prim oil for certain skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, PMS, or eczema as well. Apart from skin conditions, it can be used for many other issues too that involve multiple sclerosis or much more. Primrose oil is quite common in Africa and can be purchased from any local market.

Devil’s Claw

Herpagophytum procumbens or Devil’s claw gets its name from the small hooks that cover its fruit. This plant root has been used historically to treat pain, fever, kidney and liver problems, and malaria. Various ointments are also formulated using it as the main ingredient to heal boils, sores as well as other skin conditions.

Although Devil’s claw does not have a particular odor, it has compounds or substances that make it taste bitter. Moreover, it is a leafy perennial plant having branching roots and shoots. The secondary roots of the Devil’s claw, called tubers, grow out of the main roots. These roots and tubers are particularly used as medicines.

Devil’s claw contains iridoid glycosides which have strong anti-inflammatory properties. An iridoid, called harpagoside, is found in a high concentration in this plant and is proven to relieve pain and inflammation by several laboratory tests. The fresh or dried root of Devil’s claw can be consumed through capsules, liquid extracts, infusions (teas), tablets, and topical ointments.

Echinacea Plant Root

There is much more to echinacea than the pretty purple coneflowers you see in gardens. Teas, juices, and extracts containing these blooms and their roots have been used as medicines for centuries. Nowadays, they are available as powders or supplements.

The most well-known use of echinacea is to reduce the duration of the common cold’s symptoms, according to Trusted Source. Echinacea is generally relatively safe, with the exception of a few possible side effects. You always have the option of using it if you want to see your cold symptoms go away more quickly, even though it needs more testing.

Pelargonium

Commonly known as Umckaloabo, Uvendle, and Kalwerbossie, Pelargonium sidoides is a herb that has been employed in traditional African medicine for centuries. This plant is used by local communities to cure various ailments including colic, cough, diarrhea, gastritis, gonorrhea, hepatic disorders, menstrual complaints, and tuberculosis.

The most compelling ethnobotanical advantage of Pelargonium sidoides in the treatment of tuberculosis ultimately led to its introduction in Europe during the late 1890s.

In Europe, it is widely used to treat bronchitis and cold as well. Laboratory studies reveal that this herb was effective in killing bacteria, and viruses, and stimulates the immune system. Interestingly, the use of this plant has been expanded beyond the original traditional uses to include acute bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and tonsillopharyngitis.

Bottom line on Types of Plant Roots that are Used as Traditional Medicine in Africa

Plants are composed of mixtures of secondary metabolites, also called phytochemicals. These secondary metabolites may act additively, individually, or synergistically to improve health and wellness. Unlike pharmacological drugs, medicinal plants have several chemicals that work together catalytically as well as synergistically.

This way, they produce a combined effect surpassing the total activity of the individual constituents. The combined actions of these compounds speed up or slow down the assimilation of the main medicinal constituent thereby increasing its activity.