02480nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653003900055653002500094653001700119653002500136653001400161100001500175700001500190700001300205700001300218700001200231700001400243700001500257700001400272700001500286245011200301300001200413490000800425520176900433       2017                            d  bElsevier10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aLymphatic filariasis10aSouth Africa10aTraditional medicine10aTreatment1 aKomoreng L1 aThekisoe O1 aLehasa S1 aTiwani T1 aMzizi N1 aMokoena N1 aKhambule N1 aNdebele S1 aMdletshe N00aAn ethnobotanical survey of traditional medicinal plants used against lymphatic filariasis in South Africa.  a12–160 v1113 a<p>Lymphatic filariasis is a condition where the skin thickens and hardens after excessive swelling associated with lymphoedema. The condition is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used against lymphatic filariasis in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa was conducted through the use of structured questionnaires. Information was gathered from 21 traditional healers, 9 herbalists and 12 elderly people. The respondents were asked questions regarding their use of medicinal plants to treat lymphatic filariasis and related ailments. Information entailing plants used to treat lymphatic filariasis, plant parts used, mode of preparation and dosage was recorded. The information collected revealed 46 medicinal plants belonging to 28 families were used against lymphatic filariasis. Members of the Asteraceae family were the most prominent, followed by Hyacinthaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae. It was interesting to note that different traditional healers from the four Provinces use similar plants to treat lymphatic filariasis. The most frequently mentioned plants were Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Eucomis autumnalis, Ganoderma sp., Solanum aculeastrum, Hermannia geniculata, Datura stramonium and Pentanisia prunelloides. Leaves and underground plant parts were reported to be the most commonly used plant parts. The most prominent methods of herbal administration used were orally and soaking of the affected body part. This study has documented important ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used by South African healers and indigenous people in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and related diseases.</p>