ArticleViewAbstractPharmacognosy Journal,2023,15,1,21-30.DOI:10.5530/pj.2023.15.4Published:March 2023Type:Original Article Phytotherapy for Sexually Transmitted Infections In ThabaNchu, Free State Province, South AfricaBrian Ngobeni, Idah Tichaidza Manduna, Ntsoaki Joyce Malebo, and Samson Sitheni Mashele Brian Ngobeni1,4, Idah Tichaidza Manduna2,*, Ntsoaki Joyce Malebo3, Samson Sitheni Mashele1 1Department of Health Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, 9300, SOUTH AFRICA. 2Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, 9300, SOUTH AFRICA. 3Department of Life Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, 9300, SOUTH AFRICA. 4Department of clinical Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, 9300, SOUTH AFRICA. Abstract:Medicinal plants have been prescribed by traditional healers for the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) for years. This study documents therapeutic plants used against STI’s in Thaba ‘Nchu, South Africa. Information was gathered through semi-structured interviews with traditional medical practitioners between March and December 2017. Information on medicinal plants, their local names, and their uses against STI’s was gathered. The use value (UV) of the plant species, frequency of citation (FC) and the informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated for the plants and STIs included in the study. Plants were used to treat infections such Herpes zoster (ICF=0.4) as gonorrhoea (ICF=0.11), vaginosis (ICF=0.2), symptoms of HIV/AIDS (ICF=0.1) and pubic lice (ICF=0.1). A total of 35 plant species were identified for the treatment of STIs. Most medicinal plants in the study area came from the families Asteraceae (21%), Fabaceae (17%), Solanaceae (13%) and Hyacinthaceae (13%). Bulbinenarcissifolia, Pentanisiaprunelloides, Hypoxishemerocallidea, Scabiosa columbaria, Xysmalobiumundulatum Rumex lanceolatus, Eucomisautumnalis, Dicomaanomalaand Salvia runcinatawere frequently used. The preferred method for preparation of remedies were decoctions made from the roots (72%), whole plant (17%), leaves (7%), fruits (2%) and bark (2%) which were consumed orally.This study contributes to the documentation of plants used for STIs to conserve the information for future generations. A selection from the most frequently mentioned plants for treatment of STI’s may be used for further phytopharmacological investigations and subsequently be used for the development of new antimicrobial agents for global use and for the socioeconomic development of local communities. Keywords:Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Sexual transmitted infections, Thaba ‘Nchu, Traditional Healers.View:PDF (1.84 MB) PDF Images Geographical location of the study area. ‹ The Role of Indian Magical Herb Selaginella bryopteris L. (Selaginaceae) in Pharmacotherapeutic Perspective: An Overview up Evaluation of Antidiarrheal, Antispasmodic, and Antisecretory Activities of Extract and Fractions of Castanopsis costata Leaves in Animal Models ›