INDIGENOUS HEALING PLANTS

Publisher's hardcover binding with dust jacket.

285pp. Illustrated.

Binding sound. Contents clean. Some insect scarring along the top edge of the book as per images.

'Indigenous healing plants is Margaret Roberts' fourth major book with its accent on health. It concentrates on the traditional ways in which indigenous plants have been used medically and otherwise in South Africa for centuries. Many of these remedies survive to this day and are used by people of all races countrywide.

Many South Africans are oblivious to the host of plants in their very own gardens and in the veld around them that can be used medicinally, in cooking, as natural insect repellents or in fragrant pot-pourris. Familiar favourites like agapanthus, scented geraniums and plumbago take on new interest as we realise that they are not merely pretty garden plants, but effective natural medicine chests.

Among our indigenous plants are natural remedies for such a variety of ailments as chest complaints and colds, gout, rheumatism, lumbago, dysentery, fractures, bladder infections, eczema and even malaria. Some plants will ease the pains of childbirth and bring down fevers, while others will keep insects away or soothe and relax your muscles in the bath after a stressful day.

Margaret Roberts has a fascinating story to tell about each plant, and illustrates them with her own delicate line drawings and fine watercolour paintings.

The book is an important contribution to the literature on indigenous South African plants, combining botanical detail with a historical perspective and providing practical information for the health enthusiast, gardener, cook and pot-pourri maker.

Plants are classified alphabetically and for those interested in propagating or growing indigenous plants in their gardens, a list of nurseries and societies were seeds, plants and information are obtainable is included.' - editor's note