S25 - Session P2 - The use and availability of medicinal plants in a semi urban region amongst different cultural groups, Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa

Authors: Kara Lee *, Petunia Mashiane

Medicinal plants are not only important as primary healthcare resource for people around the world but also form part of their cultural belief and spiritual experiences. Cultural values are fundamental in understanding the importance of natural resources for different people for a number of reasons. First, spiritually enriching values attached to land and wild natural resources influence the way such resources are used. For instance, traditional medicinal plants maintain health in the broadest sense of physical, spiritual, social and psychological well-being and protect people from witchcraft and harm. The history of the use of medicinal plants is evident in the history of many South African cultures and ethnic groups as part of their daily practices . Many cultures are under continual change, constantly growing and adapting to various internal and external factors that have an influence on indigenous groups and communities. South Africa has a complex combination of cultures that have a direct influence on each other and are often inter-related. Migration and urbanization are the main contributors to cultural changes as they bring about the contact and exposure of specific cultures to other diverse cultures. The main aim of this study was to determine the current use and availability of medicinal plants in the Bronkhosrtspruit area amongst cultural groups and age groups. The study revealed that the elderly has got more knowledge than the youth, however the medicinal plants is still widely used and can be documented as an ethno pharmaceutical basis for selecting plants with pharmaceutical properties and could serve as a tool for conserving medicinal plants.