Chapter 12: Reinventing “Traditional” Medicine in Postapartheid South Africa

2016 ◽  
pp. 259-286
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Traditional Medicine

scholarly journals Reptiles sold as traditional medicine in Xipamanine and Xiquelene Markets (Maputo, Mozambique)

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 7/8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivienne L. Williams ◽  
Thibedi J. Moshoeu ◽  
Graham J. Alexander ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
International Trade ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
Domestic Trade ◽  
Reptile Species

Abstract Zootherapy plays a role in healing practices in Mozambican society. Although several studies have focused on ethnobotany and traditional medicine in the country, little research has been conducted on the use of reptiles in zootherapy. The aim of this study was therefore to fill this gap by assessing the reptile species traded for traditional medicine in the Xipamanine and Xiquelene Markets in Maputo, Mozambique. We found that few reptile species are traded domestically for traditional medicine and that their use appears to be in decline in Mozambique. Our findings also suggest that the domestic trade of reptiles for traditional medicines in Maputo markets is unlikely to have a significant impact on the conservation of reptiles in Mozambique. However, we suggest that international trade with South Africa is likely having a larger impact, given observations of Mozambican nationals selling a diverse range of fauna in urban traditional medicine markets in Johannesburg and Durban.

scholarly journals Die aard en stand van die tradisionele, nie-westerse of stammedisyne in suid-afrika

Curationis ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H.C.J Van Rensburg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
Concepts Of Health ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Modern Medical Practice

There exists a long-established system of traditional medicine among Blacks in South Africa next to Westernised health services. The exact extent to which traditional medicine is practised cannot be established, but evidence exists The continued use of the traditthioant ailt hise aslteilrls ,u osefdte nw itdoegleyt.her with Western medicine, is rooted in the traditionally held concepts of health and disease. Illness and death are usually attributed to mystical causes which must be identified and removed by the witchdoctor. Witchdoctors can be divided into distinct categories according to their functions and methods — i.e. diviners and medicine-men or herbalists. The methods used by the witchdoctor are not compatible with Western medicine, but their approach to patients and the community has certain attributes not found in modern medical practice. It is not envisaged that the witchdoctor will cease to play a role in the foreseeable future.

Use of traditional medicine by HIV-infected individuals in South Africa in the era of antiretroviral therapy

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale A. Babb ◽  
Lindiwe Pemba ◽  
Pule Seatlanyane ◽  
Salome Charalambous ◽  
Gavin J. Churchyard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Traditional Medicine

Exposing the illegal trade in cycad species (Cycadophyta:Encephalartos) at two traditional medicine markets in South Africa using DNA barcoding

Genome ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 771-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Williamson ◽  
O. Maurin ◽  
S.N.S. Shiba ◽  
H. van der Bank ◽  
M. Pfab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
The University ◽  
National Environmental ◽  
Encephalartos Natalensis ◽  
Near Threatened ◽  
Plant Harvesting

Species in the cycad genus Encephalartos are listed in CITES Appendix I and as Threatened or Protected Species in terms of South Africa’s National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA) of 2004. Despite regulations, illegal plant harvesting for medicinal trade has continued in South Africa and resulted in declines in cycad populations and even complete loss of sub-populations. Encephalartos is traded at traditional medicine markets in South Africa in the form of bark strips and stem sections; thus, determining the species traded presents a major challenge due to a lack of characteristic plant parts. Here, a case study is presented on the use of DNA barcoding to identify cycads sold at the Faraday and Warwick traditional medicine markets in Johannesburg and Durban, respectively. Market samples were sequenced for the core DNA barcodes (rbcLa and matK) as well as two additional regions: nrITS and trnH-psbA. The barcoding database for cycads at the University of Johannesburg was utilized to assign query samples to known species. Three approaches were followed: tree-based, similarity-based, and character-based (BRONX) methods. Market samples identified were Encephalartos ferox (Near Threatened), Encephalartos lebomboensis (Endangered), Encephalartos natalensis (Near Threatened), Encephalartos senticosus (Vulnerable), and Encephalartos villosus (Least Concern). Results from this study are crucial for making appropriate assessments and decisions on how to manage these markets.

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