Abstract

Until recently, no medicinal uses were recorded for the South AfricanErythroxylaceae species, although, this family is used world wide in traditional medicine. This study reveals for the first time that Erythroxylum delagoense andErythroxylum pictum roots were used to treat dysentery and diarrhoea and thatErythroxylum emarginatum leaves decoction was used to treat asthma, kidney problems, arthritis, child bearing problems and influenza in South Africa. To validate some of the medicinal uses, antibacterial testing was done for the first time on all five South African species. Leaf and bark extracts of four of the five South AfricanErythroxylaceae species (E. delagoense, E. emarginatum, E. pictum andNectaropetalum capense) showed some good antibacterial activities with MIC <1 mg/ml. E. delagoense showed good results against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus; E. emarginatum against Klebsiella pneumoniae; E. pictum against Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia; N. capense against Klebsiella pneumonia. 

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, Erythroxylaceae, medicinal uses, South Africa.