Cape Herbal Medicine: a complete inventory and distinctive characteristics

This study presents an updated and comprehensive inventory of Cape Herbal Medicine, expanding on Van Wyk's 2008 baseline (covering species up to 1932) by including 531 additional species. The inventory reveals the distinctive character of this regional healing system.

To compile a checklist of medicinal and ritual plant species in South Africa's Cape region and identify features that distinguish this system in terms of taxonomy and plant use.

The checklist was compiled from a 2024 inventory by Cornelius and Van Wyk, referencing 69 ethnobotanical sources. A historical timeline of documented plant species was developed using R Studio. Local and international ethnobotanical systems were used to develop a classification system for use categories.

A total of 733 taxa (702 species) are used for medicinal and ritual purposes in the Cape-representing 17 % of southern Africa's known medicinal flora. The system is defined by the prominence of Pelargonium and Agathosma genera, and families such as Geraniaceae and Rutaceae. Unlike neighbouring traditions, home medicinal gardens contain several exotic plant species of European origin. Other notable features include the dominance of Khoe and Afrikaans vernacular names, a large proportion of Cape-endemic plant species, the frequent use of tonics prescribed for general or unspecified ailments, and the near absence of enemas as dosage form.

The system's unique cultural and botanical profile invites future research into Cape San (/Xam) and Khoikhoi (especially Nama and Griqua) origins, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and the evolving interface between traditional and biomedical practices.