Abstract

The indigenous people of Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa depend on the natural plant resources from their environment for medicine, food, pastoral, cultural and religious needs. This area, mainly inhabited by the Xhosa people, has remained ethnobotanically unexplored until recently. The present investigation among the herbalist, traditional doctors, herb traders, tribal priests and other knowledgeable local people recorded medicinal and other uses of 35 plant species. This firsthand information points out the importance of local flora to tribal groups and modern people of Transkei. In spite of western influence, the Xhosa people of Transkei still believe in the efficacy of herbal medicine, and prefer to use these traditional remedies currently.

Key words: Indigenous medicine, medicinal plants, South Africa, Transkei, Xhosa.