Demand for the leaves of Artemisia afra – also known as lengana, uMhlonyane, African wormwood, and Wilde Als in South Africa – has soared as South Africans seek it to treat Covid-19-like symptoms.
Artemisia has been used for generations as a traditional cure for flu-related illnesses such as colds, fever, coughs and headaches, including by various South African communities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recommended its use in treating “uncomplicated” malaria cases.
Artemisia can be found in the wild throughout much of South Africa.
Professor Wolfgang Preiser, who heads the medical virology unit at the University of Stellenbosch’s medical school, says the plant offers no magic cure for Covid-19, but could provide some relief of symptoms.
“Artemisia species have been used for centuries as remedies and I am quite sure that if used wisely they could bring symptomatic relief. We do not have antiviral drugs against Covid-19 currently and I do not see anything wrong with taking medication, including nature-derived medication, for symptomatic relief,” he said.
According to Mpho Hlubi, a 46-year-old Johannesburg resident who tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago, the plant has helped relieve symptoms, including fever, sore throat and teary eyes.
“I have been using the remedy for two weeks, and although I cannot pin-point what it has done, I’ve been feeling much better since taking it, along with some vitamins.”
He boils two teaspoons with plain water to make a two litre drink which he consumes throughout the day.
But finding artemisia has become more difficult as demand – and prices – increased along with Covid-19 infection rates.
Before the pandemic, the plant was easily accessible from street vendors and various traditional markets. Prices used to range from R20 to R40 for around three-quarters of a cup. These days, the same amount could cost between R40 and R100, depending on the market.
Street vendors in Alexandra are now selling standard package sizes for R40, while at popular traditional markets such as Swazi-Inn in Tembisa, it can cost upwards of R70.
On Takealot, you can now get 250g of artemisia tea delivered for R349.
Lompumelelo Masilela, a law student at Wits, has started a business selling artemisia with her sister. They source the product from Mpumalanga, where they are from, and sell half a garbage bag of artemisia for R500.
“We saw headlines about it and did a lot of reading on it, particularly on how it helps with corona. People have been vouching for it a lot, stating that it contributes to their wellness and improving health,” she said.
* This article was updated to remove references to Artemisia annua.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.co.za/atremisia-plant-and-price-increase-2020-7?fbclid=IwAR0Mht68O1ejbUeBDQvSZCOKC-dbu4GSjQNKXkXJSpYphULpKNDNVhgvjXA
DIE kuur vir Covid-19 groei dalk in jou agterplaas.
Maar ons sal eers vir seker weet of wildeals iets is wat teen die virus gebruik kan word wanneer die departement van gesondheid se navorsers klaar is met wetenskaplike toetse.
Duisende mense wêreldwyd het reeds weens die virus omgekom, maar geen sterftes is in Madagaskar aangemeld nie.
Dié eiland het 158 gevalle van die corona-virus gehad. Altesaam 101 mense het gesond geword.
Die land se president, Andry Rajoelina, sê die kuur lê in ’n doepa waarvan die hoofbestanddeel die wildeals-plantjie, Artemisia afra, is.
Ons nasionale minister van gesondheid, dr. Zweli Mkhize, het Woensdag in die sosiale media gesê hulle het ’n oproep uit Madagaskar gekry.
Mkhize het gesê: “Ons is gevra om te help met die navorsing oor dié kruiedrankie.
“Ons wetenskaplikes kan help met die taak. Ons is net betrokke by die ontleding van die kruie.”
Ander Afrika-lande, soos Tanzanië en Guinee-Bissau het reeds aangedui dat hulle dié Malgassiese doepa gaan probeer.
Maar die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie (WGO) verwerp claims dat dié kruiedoepa die oplossing in die stryd teen die corona-virus is.
Kruiedokters van die African National Healers Association (Anha) loof Madagaskar egter daarvoor dat hy sy eie kruie vertrou, berig EWN.
Vlieg
Die kruiedokers sê wildeals, ook bekend as lengana in Sesotho en umhlonyane in Zulu, is ’n ou raat wat werk vir asemhalingsinfeksies en dis selfs veilig vir babas.
Nadat Madagaskar sy oënskynlike suksesverhaal met die wêreld gedeel het, vlieg die plantjie uit Rastas se stalletjies soos dit verkoop.
’n Rasta van Somerset-Wes sê: “Ons verkoop die herb deur die jaar. Dit help vir griep, verkoue en sinussiektes, maar nou het verkope die hoogte ingeskiet.”
Bron: Die Son Vrydag, Mei 08, 2020 11:00 https://www.son.co.za/Nuus/CoronaVirus/afrika-tot-die-redding-20200507?fbclid=IwAR1TLs5tvUwWdwbj2KYF10l_6JqNfV6ZQET5tmwu-ukws1ppxJzyWZ7h0Q8
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