African plants inspiring modern medicine - SA expert

South Africa is making steps to commercialise medicinal plants, while scientists are working to profile and test their efficacy.

Prof Nox Makunga of Stellenbosh University says that 85% of flora and fauna found in Africa is endemic to the continent and has potential to treat a variety of diseases.

“Our reliance on plant-based remedies is really part of longstanding historical tradition. Even nowadays we are still looking for plants, for example, that might be effective against antimicrobial resistance which is a huge global problem,” she says.

However, she adds that due to stigma, Western branded medicines are often preferred over African plant medicine.

“These are remedies that have not necessarily been written down but passed on as an oral tradition. People are nervous to take something without scientific validation.”

Prof Makunga is part of a team working to provide the scientific validation of such herbal extracts.

She says there needs to be more investment to commercialise these plants and market them globally.

The interview was part of a special edition of Focus on Africa, guest-edited by Professor Thuli Madonsela.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Western Cape Government