title: Ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
abstract: An ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa was carried out, using a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. Information collected revealed the names of plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea, the parts used and the methods of preparation. This survey indicated a total of 17 plant species from 14 families used in the Province. Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Hermannia incana, Pelargonium reniforme, Alepidea amatymbica and Bulbine latifolia were the most frequently mentioned and highly recommended plants for the treatment of diarrhoea by both the traditional healers and rural dwellers. Roots, bark and leaves are the common parts of plants used, while decoctions and infusions are the main methods of preparation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Appidi
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Grierson
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Afolayan
mesh_terms: D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D019448:Ethnobotany; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification*; D013019:South Africa