Abstract
M.Sc.
Pteronia L. is a genus of 70 species of woody shrublets occurring mainly in southern Africa (Leistner, 2000). Published and unpublished ethnobotanical information exists for nine of the species. The uses of these species in traditional medicine are poorly recorded or have remained scientifically unknown. In addition, some unpublished vernacular names have been recorded during this study.
Hutchinson and Phillips revised the genus Pteronia in 1917 and grouped the species into four sections. The nine ethnobotanically important species were placed in four sections: Incanae (P. incana and P. cinerea), Papillatae (P. lucilliodes and P. divaricata), Ciliatae (P. camphorata, P. stricta, P. onobromoides and P. adenocarpa) and Glabratae (P. succulenta).
Pteronia onobromoides is the original source of Nama buchu that was first recorded by Van der Stel in 1685 (De Wet & Pheiffer, 1979), but which has remained poorly known. Surprisingly, this study has revealed the existence of an important Cape herbal medicine (P. divaricata) for which no record could be found in the scientific literature. Pteronia incana is not widely known for its traditional medicinal uses (although a few have indeed been recorded) but rather as a source of valuable essential oil that has been commercially exploited to some extent. Other species with at least one published anecdote of traditional use include P. adenocarpa, P. camphorata, P cinerea, P. lucilioides, P. stricta and P. succulenta. This means that a total of nine species are now known to have traditional medicinal and/or cosmetic uses. Most of the species are used for intestinal disorders (including stomach pain) and respiratory ailments (coughs, colds and influenza). The topical application of P. onobromoides and P. adenocarpa is clearly aimed at more than just a cosmetic effect and includes the alleviation of pain and the treatment of wounds and skin ailments.
These uses all suggest that Pteronia species may have antimicrobial activity and also possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Pteronia adenocarpa is only known from a single literature record.