KalahariLog

While diamonds and other mining products are the main Botswana exports there are several herbal remedies that come from here and that are quite remarkable. Devil's Claw is the popular name of one of the more well-known ones. It is also known as a grapple plant, and is a part of the sesame family. The roots were used by the Bushmen to reduce pain and fever and Europeans quickly discovered it is a good cure for arthritis, rheumatism, and other chronic pain. Several studies have been performed confirming the medicinal properties of the plant. Most impressive is a German study that compared the infamous Vioxx to Devil's claw in the treatment of chronic back pain and found the effect to be the same!

There are a few other well known medicinal plants that have come from the region. Hoodia is a succulent (similar to Aloe) and although it looks like a cactus it is not from the cactus family. The Bushmen used the plant to treat indigestion and some people have claimed that they used it to suppress appetite when food was scarce. Since the 1990's an extract from the hoodia plant has been used to produce appetite suppressant pills. Although no scientific studies have proven its effectiveness, that hasn't stopped the spammers from sending me emails about it all the time.

Artemisia Afra, locally known as lengana, is an herb taken as a tea and recommended for all sorts of ailments: coughs and colds, indigestion, fevers, headaches, etc. According to Herbal Africa this plant, known under the more common name wormwood, has been used for thousands of years going back to Rome, Greece, end even Egypt; not to mention the Native Americans...

Lippia Javanica, locally knows as mosukudu or bokhukhwane, is another cure-all type of herb. It is recommended for colds, coughs, malaria, fever, etc. In lighter dozes it is drunk as tea (but a bit bitter, I'll have to say).

Mentha Aquatica, locally known as kgomodimetsing, is also used for similar ailments: colds, coughs, fevers, headaches, etc. It is one of the many varieties of mint and does make a pleasant tea.

Veld Products Research and Development is a local NGO in Gabane, a village near Gaborone. They have been growing some of the local plants and trying commercialize them. The products are marketed under the brand name "Kgalagadi Treasurers" and can be found in certain pharmacies in town. One of these pharmacies is close to our house but we avoid it as it is run by a slightly creepy Indian fellow. Whenever we go there, he tries to sell us "special potions" for this or that, with a slightly suggestive smile on his face.