Asteraceae

Known as: laventelbossie, leventelbossie, asbossie, perdebossie, vaalbossie, vaalbloubossie, bees’karroo, t’kaibebos, vaalkaroo, tinktinkiebos

In the Eastern Cape Province, the plant is widely known as blue bush, blue dog or bloubos (Kakembo et al., 2007, Margaris et al., 1982, Webber et al., 1999).

It was reported that the plant is used to treat influenza, fever, kidney ailments, and backache.

The plant contains an essential oil reminiscent of pine turpentine oil with β-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, myrcene, spathulenol, p-cymene and methyleugenol as main compounds, with smaller amounts of α-pinene, sabinene, γ-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, biclogermacrene, globulol and α-bisabolol in some of the distillates.

The plants are strongly associated with the Cape Floristic Region and more specifically renosterveld vegetation, where it is often one of the characteristic or dominant taxa of the various renosterveld units (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006).

One yeast (Cryptococcus neoformans), two Gram-negative bacteria (Moraxella catarrhalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and one Gram-positive bacterium (Mycobacterium smegmatis) were selected for antimicrobial activity studies using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) microtitre plate method. The results showed that methanol:dichloromethane (MeOH:CH2Cl2) extracts were active against M. smegmatis (lowest MIC values of 0.5–0.8 mg/ml) and C. neoformans (lowest MIC values of 0.5–2.0 mg/ml). The essential oil was most active against C. neoformans (lowest MIC value of 0.3 mg/ml). These results provide a scientific rationale for the use of P. incana in Cape herbal medicine.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629910002097

Asteraceae

Common names: cape gold (Eng.); geelsewejaartjie (Afr.); phefo-ea-loti, toanae-moru (S.Sotho)

Helichrysum splendidum is quite different than other Helichrysums in aroma, therapeutics & energetics. This helichrysum has a significant percentage of b-phellandrene, which is known for its anti-inflammatory & anti-fungal properties.

Helichrysum splendidum has been shown to be anti-rheumatic, helping with joint & soft tissue pain and inflammation. Being high in delta cadinene, is beneficial for respiratory problems.

It is a natural anti-inflammatory that is often used to alleviate sciatica, bruises, tendonitis, tissue pain, and repair. It’s very good for the skin, for healing and anti-aging, as well as having a low SP factor for protection from sun damage, so an excellent addition to DIY skin creams.

• Anti-allergenic.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antimicrobial.
• Antiseptic.
• Astringent.
• Cicatrisant.
• Diuretic.
• Expectorant.
• Fungicidal.
• Nervine.

Kooigoed is a strongly aromatic perennial herb that has thick slightly bulbous leaves and a yellow flower.  The oil contains pinene and humulene compounds, as well as important antimicrobial flavanoids (a phenolic compound) that gives it an antiseptic quality: it is for this reason that the plant was often used as a wound dressing.

Several species of Helichrysum are used in traditional medicines, but H. odoratissimum is widely used as a perfume and to repel insects. Southern Sotho women make a perfumed ointment from this plant.

Leaves and stems are widely used as incense to invoke the goodwill of the ancestors; the smoke is sedative and helpful for insomnia. In the Eastern Cape people inhale it as a protective cleanser and it is also used medicinally for coughs and colds. Some people boil the plant and use it as a facial ointment for pimples. In Lesotho they burn this plant to fumigate sick rooms. It is also effective in repelling parasites and insects thus ensuring a good night’s rest.

Mainly used as an herbal medicine for respiratory infections, diabetes, fever, headache, heart problem, high blood pressure, pain, reproductive problems, and wounds. Phytochemical studies showed that H. petiolare extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antityrosinase, antigenotoxicity, and cytotoxicity activities.

β-bisabolene (19.5–25.6%), α-bulnesene

(19.5–25.6%), caryophyllenyl alcohol (36.4–45.3%), 1,8-cineole

(<0.01–22.4%), β-hydroagarofuran (19.5–25.6%), and β-pinene

(<0.01–51.3%) [63,69,70]

Cape Chamomile

Known locally as “boegoekapok“, because of its dense white flowers that become fluffy and cover the plant prior to seed set and the intense fragrance of its oil.

The oil has contains azulene which gives the oil a distinctive blue colour. The oil consists mainly of fragrant esters, particularly 2-methylpropyl, methylbutyl and linalyl acetate.  This gives the oil a fresh, fruity fragrance with a strong chamomile note.

African Chamomile alleviates lymph congestion and earache. Improves circulation and memory. Traditionally this herb was used as an anti-depressant.

Anti-inflammatory and soothing, so it helps with eruptions on the skin in the form of boils, abscesses, infected cuts and wounds, insect bites, sunburn, acne, skin rashes, eczema etc. All types of skin problems especially sensitive areas that tend to become inflamed. A children’s remedy helpful for nappy rash, ear and toothache, swollen gums, sore throat, and general irritability. Aids sleep.

It also has the potential for the treatment of stress-related ailments, especially for improving sleep patterns. This is due to the presence of linalyl acetate which is the major component of lavender oil. The azulenic component of the oil would provide anti-inflammatory properties for skin ailments, as in German or blue chamomile.

Analgesic, anti-allergic, anti-convulsive, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, cholagogic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, sedative, splenetic, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge, vasoconstricor.

Asteraceae

Kapokbos, Wilde Roosmaryn (Afrikaans), Wild Rosemary (English)​

The oil is similar to punctulatus in fragrance, but with more spiced bitter notes.  The oil contains linalyl acetate, cymene, 1,8-cineole and 4,11-eudesmanediol (which may be responsible for its reputed anti-spasmodic qualities). Linalyl acetate, cymene, 1.8-cineole, many sequiterpinoids.

Traditional uses by the Khoi and early Cape settlers included treating stomach ailments, as a mood enhancer and as a relaxant. It was also thought to help with hair growth, breaking addictions, and letting go of negative emotions. Similar to rosemary, Cape Snowbush has an invigorating effect and acts as an antidepressant, also relieving feelings of stress, anxiety, and anger.

Cape Snowbush oil relieves spasms (muscle, respiratory, digestive) and is effective to stop bleeding. Its antiseptic and antiviral properties protect the body against infections.

It is also used as a diuretic (to expel toxins from the body), treats coughs and colds, and soothes headaches. Useful in the treatments of colds and flu. It eases coughing and helps the body to expel mucous. Aids digestion calms intestinal cramps, relieves flatulence and colic, useful in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. Excellent for scanty or painful menstruation, oedema of the legs (pre-menstrual).

Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, balsamic, bechic, carminative, cephalic, decongestive, digestive, diuretic, haemostatic, restorative, sedative, stomachic, styptic, sudorific, tonic, vulnerary.

Cape May

Alleviates colds and flu and its beautiful fragrance is restorative and repels insects. Colds, flu, sore throat, insect repellent, water retention, relaxing, nervous tension

Cape May is known as aasbossie (“bait bush”) because it occurs predominantly along the coastal area of the Southern Cape of South Africa and was used by fishermen to rid their hands of the stench of red bait.  The plant was also traditionally used as an insect repellant and for the treatment of colds and flu.  The oil is clear in colour, with a fresh herby fragrance and a marked pepper note.  The oil is characterised by myrcene, pinene, germacrene, and limonene.

A rare local indigenous remedy from the unique Cape Fynbos Kingdom, the essential oil from the enchanting White Cape May has rejuvenating properties that promote a sense of well-being, with a beautiful uplifting aroma that speaks of its emotionally healing properties for anger and anxiety.

Myrcene, phellandrene, pinene, ocimene, germacrene-D.

Geraniaceae

Wildemalva (Afrikaans), Rose Geranium (English)​

Rose geranium essential oil is both antibacterial and antimicrobial. It fights infection in wounds and keeps them from developing a further infection. Furthermore, rose geranium oil helps wounds heal faster.

This essential oil can stop haemorrhaging in two ways. Firstly, it causes blood vessels to contract, which stops blood flow. Secondly, it speeds up the coagulation of blood. This promotes the healing of wounds and prevents toxins from entering the body.

Being an extremely effective cicatrising agent, rose geranium oil helps fade and remove scars and spots from the body. It does this by stimulating blood circulation just below the skin, helping promote a uniform distribution of melanin in the skin. Because of its astringent qualities, this essential oil can also help lessen the appearance of wrinkles. It achieves this effect by tightening the facial muscles.

The use of the oil increases urination, and in so doing it helps expel toxins from the body. Urination is the most effective way to remove uric acid, bile salts, heavy metals and other unnatural chemical substances from the body. Urination also reduces blood pressure, making it beneficial to the health of the heart.

Because of its pleasant, uplifting smell, this oil acts as an effective deodorant. It is also antibacterial, further fighting body odour.

The oil is also effective in killing intestinal worms, making it especially beneficial to children.

Geranium is known to aid digestion, boost your immune system, aid in kidney health helps to relieve stress and anxiety, give relief to chronic pain or migraine, and is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also used as a natural skin tonic to tighten and tone the skin and keeps it blemish-free.