Review Article

A Review of Plant-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Traditional Southern African Medicine

Table 1

Southern African plants traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections.

Plant speciesFamilyCommon namePart of plant usedUsesReferences

Acacia sieberiana var. woodii (Burtt Davy) Keay & BrenanLeguminosaePaperbark thorn (Eng); papierbasdoring (Afr)Bark and rootsUrinary tract ailments[46]
Acokanthera oppositifolia (Lam.) CoddApocynaceaeInhlungunyembe (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary tract infection[43]
Afroaster hispida (Thunb.) J.C.Manning & GoldblattAsteraceaeUdlutshana (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[47]
Agathosma betulina (P.J.Bergius) PillansRutaceaeBuchu (Eng); boegoe (Afr); bocho (Sotho)LeavesBladder and kidney ailments[45, 48, 49]
Agathosma capensis (L.) DummerRutaceaeSpicy buchu (Eng); anysboegoe, steenbokboegoe (Afr)LeavesUrinary ailments[50]
Agathosma serratifolia (Curtis) SpreethRutaceaeLangblaarboegoe, kloofboegoe (Afr); long buchu (Eng)LeavesBladder and kidney ailments[45]
Albizia adianthifolia (Schum.) W.WightLeguminosaeIsiyengelele, usolo, umgadankawu (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary tract infection[47]
Aloe ferox Mill.XanthorrhoeaceaeBitteraalwyn (Afr); bitter aloe (Eng)Leaves, roots, and stemsKidney and bladder ailments[51]
Aloe zebrina BakerXanthorrhoeaceaeSebra-aalwyn (Afr); zebra aloe (Eng)LeavesUrinary and bladder ailments[46]
Antiphiona pinnatisecta (S.Moore) Merxm.CompositaeUnknownRootsBladder ailments[46]
Antizoma angustifolia (Burch.) Miers ex Harv.MenispermaceaeMaagbitterwortel (Afr)RootsKidney and bladder ailments[52]
Aptosimum procumbens (Lehm.) Burch. ex SteudScrophulariaceaeBrandbos (Afr)LeavesBladder ailments[4244]
Arctopus echinatus L.ApiaceaePlatdoring (Afr)RootsBladder ailments[4244, 53]
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.CompositaeAlsem (Afr); African wormwood (Eng); mhlonyana (Zulu)Leaves, roots, and stemsBladder and kidney ailments[49, 51]
Asparagus africanus Lam.AsparagaceaeBush asparagus, African asparagus (Eng); katdoring (Afr); isigobo (Zulu)Not specifiedBladder and kidney ailments[46]
Asparagus asparagoides (L.) DruceAsparagaceaeMakholela (Sotho)RootsUrinary tract infection[48]
Aster bakerianus Burtt Davy ex C.A.Sm.CompositaeIdlutshane, uhloshana (Zulu)LeavesUrinary tract infection[43]
Baccharoides adoensis var. kotschyana (Sch.Bip. ex Walp.)CompositaeInnyathelo (Zulu)Stems and leavesUrinary tract infection[43]
Ballota africana (L.) Benth.LamiaceaeKattekruid (Afr)LeavesBladder and kidney ailments[50]
Berkheya Setifera DC.CompositaeIkhakhasi, umalumvuba (Zulu); leleme-la-khomo (Sotho)RootUrinary and kidney ailments[47, 54]
Bolusanthus speciosus (Bolus) HarmsLeguminosaeUmholo (Zulu); tree wisteria (Eng); vanwykshout (Afr)Barks, leaves, and stemsKidney ailments[55]
Boophone disticha (L.f.) Herb.AmaryllidaceaeGifbol (Afr)BulbBladder ailments[4244]
Bowiea volubilis Harv.AsparagaceaeClimbing onion (Eng); knolklimop (Afr); iguleni (Zulu)BulbBladder ailments[43, 48]
Brachylaena discolor DC.CompositaeBosvaalbos (Afr); ipahla (Zulu)LeavesUrinary ailments[43]
Bulbine abyssinica A.RichXanthorrhoeaceaeWildekopieva (Afr)LeavesBladder ailments[56, 57]
Bulbine latifolia (L.f.) Spreng.XanthorrhoeaceaeRed carrot (Eng); rooiwortel (Afr)RootBladder and kidney ailments[48, 57]
Cardiospermum halicacabum L.SapindaceaeBalloon vine (Eng); blaasklimop (Afr)Stems and leavesBladder ailments[43, 46, 58]
Carica papaya L.CaricaceaePapaya, pawpaw (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Cenchrus ciliaris L.PoaceaeBuffalograss (Eng); bloubuffelgras (Afr); idungamuzi (Zulu)RootsUrinary tract infection[43, 59, 60]
Centaurea benedicta (L.) L.CompositaeKarmedik (Afr)Not specifiedUrinary and kidney ailments[50]
Chironia baccifera L.GentianaceaeBitterbos, sarsaparilla (Afr)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[50]
Chrysanthemoides monilifera (L.) Norl.CompositaeBietou, bessiebos (Afr)Whole plantUrinary and kidney ailments[50]
Cissampelos capensis L.f.MenispermaceaeDavid's root (Eng); gifhondjie, dawidjieswortel (Afr)Roots and leavesBladder ailments[4244, 46]
Cleome gynandra L.CleomaceaeAfrican cabbage, spiderwisp (Eng); snotterbelletjie (Afr)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Cliffortia odorata L.f.RosaceaeWildewingerd (Afr); wild vine (Eng)LeavesBladder ailments[48]
Clivia miniata (Lindl.) BosseAmaryllidaceaeBenediction lily (Eng); boslelie (Afr); umayime (Zulu)BulbUrinary ailments[43]
Coix lacryma-jobi L.PoaceaeJob's tears, adlay (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Combretum kraussii Hochst.CombretaceaeUmduba, umdubu omhlophe, umdubo wamanzi (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary and bladder ailments[47]
Commelina africana L.CommelinaceaeIdangabane (Zulu); khopo (Sotho)RootBladder ailments[43]
Conostomium natalense (Hochst.) Bremek.RubiaceaeWild pentas (Eng); umbophe, ungcolosi (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[61]
Conyza scabrida DC.CompositaeOondbos, bakbos, paddabos (Afr)LeavesBladder infection[51]
Crinum macowanii BakerAmaryllidaceaeRiver fly (Eng); umduze (Zulu)BulbUrinary ailments[43]
Crinum moorei Hook. f.AmaryllidaceaeUmduze (Zulu)BulbUrinary ailments[43]
Crossyne guttata (L.) D.Müll.-Doblies & U.Müll.-DobliesAmaryllidaceaeGifbol (Afr)BulbBladder ailments[4244]
Cryptolepis oblongifolia (Meisn.) Schltr.ApocynaceaeBokhoring, melkbos (Afr); mukangaza (Sotho)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Cussonia paniculata Eckl. & Zeyh.AraliaceaeMotsetse (Sotho)Not specifiedKidney and bladder ailment[54, 62]
Cyathula achyranthoides (Kunth) Moq.AmaranthaceaeUnknownNot specifiedBladder ailments[63]
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.PoaceaeDog's tooth (Eng); krookgras (Afr)RhizomeUrinary ailments[46]
Datura stramonium L.SolanaceaeThornapple, jimsonweed, devil's snare (Eng)LeavesBladder ailments[42]
Dicoma capensis Less.CompositaeKarmedik, wilde karmedik (Afr)LeavesBladder and kidney ailments[44, 45, 56, 57]
Diosma oppositifolia L.RutaceaeBuchu, Bitter buchu (Eng)LeavesBladder and kidney ailments[48]
Diosma prama I.WilliamsRutaceaeSteenbokkboegoe (Afr)Not specifiedUrinary and kidney ailments[50]
Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DCEbenaceaeIkhambi lesduli, umazambezi (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[47]
Dipcadi gracillimum BakerAsparagaceaeOumasegroottoon (Afr)Not specifiedBladder ailments[63]
Dipcadi viride (L.) MoenchAsparagaceaeUgibizisila, uguleni, umakhweyana (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary tract infection[47]
Dipcadi gracillimum BakerAsparagaceaeOumasegroottoon (Afr)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[64]
Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq.SapindaceaeBasterolen, sandolien, ysterbos (Afr); sand olive (Eng)LeavesBladder and kidney ailments[5, 50, 51]
Drimia elata Jacq.AsparagaceaeSatin squill (Eng); brandui, jeukbol (Afr); umqumbu (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[44]
Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & ClemantsAmaranthaceaeIkhambi leslumo, uzansikwesibaya (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[47]
Elytropappus rhinocerotis (L.f.) Less.AsteraceaeRenosterbos (Afr)LeavesBladder and kidney disorders[49]
Elymus repens (L.) GouldPoaceaeCouch grass (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Empleurum unicapsulare (L.f.) SkeelsRutaceaeBergboegoe, langblaarboegoe (Afr)Whole plantUrinary and kidney ailments[50]
Eriocephalus punctulatus DC.CompositaeKapokbos (Afr)Whole plantUrinary and kidney ailments[50]
Eriosema distinctum N.E.Br.LeguminosaeUbangalala omkhulu (Zulu)RootsUrinary ailments[43]
Erythrina caffra Thunb.LeguminosaeCoral tree (Eng); kaffirboom (Afr); umsinsi (Zulu)LeavesUrinary ailments[43]
Erythrina lysistemon Hutch.LeguminosaeUmsinsi (Zulu)LeavesBladder ailments[47]
Euclea natalensis A.DC.EbenaceaeIsiZimane, umshekisane (Zulu)BarkUrinary tract infection[47, 65]
Euclea undulata Thunb.EbenaceaeGhwarrie, ghwarrieboom, ghwarriebos (Afr)Whole plantUrinary and kidney ailments[43, 50]
Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) ChittAsparagaceaeMathethebane (Sotho)Tubular rootsUrinary ailments[58]
Euphorbia milii Des Moul.EuphorbiaceaeCrown of thorns (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[64, 66]
Euphorbia tithymaloides L.EuphorbiaceaeRedbird flower (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[64, 66]
Exomis microphylla (Thunb.) AellenAmaranthaceaeHondepisbos, hondebossie (Afr)Whole plantUrinary ailments[50]
Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev.LeguminosaeAnatree (Eng); anaboom (Afr)BarkBladder ailments[46]
Foeniculum vulgare Mill.ApiaceaeVinkel, makuinkel, soetvinkel (Afr)Whole plantUrinary ailments[50]
Galenia africana L.AizoaceaeKraalbos (Afr)LeavesBladder ailments[4244]
Galium tomentosum Thunb.RubiaceaeRed storm (Eng); rooistorm, doodlief (Afr)RootBladder ailments[48, 56]
Geranium incanum Burm.f.GeraniaceaeCarpet geranium (Eng); horlosie, bergtee, vrouetee (Afr); tlako (Sotho)Not specifiedBladder ailments[56, 64]
Grewia caffra Meisn.MalvaceaeUpata, iphatha (Zulu)Roots, barkBladder ailment[67]
Grewia occidentalis L.MalvaceaeCross berry (Eng); iklolo, imahlehle (Zulu)RootsBladder ailments[43]
Grewia robusta Burch.MalvaceaeBokbos (Afr)Whole plantUrinary ailments[50]
Gunnera perpensa L.GunneraceaeUgobho, izibu (Zulu)Not specifiedBladder ailments[47]
Helichrysum crispum (L.) D. DonCompositaeKooigoed (Afr)LeafBladder and kidney ailments[49]
Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) SweetCompositaePhefo (Sotho); kooigoed, kooibos (Afr)Leaves, roots, and stemsBladder ailments[50, 56]
Helichrysum patulum (L.) D.DonCompositaeHoney everlasting (Eng); kooigoed (Afr); impepho (Zulu)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Hibiscus pusillus Thunb.MalvaceaeBlaasbossie (Afr)Whole plantUrinary ailments[50]
Hibiscus mastersianus HiernMalvaceaeMonarch rosemallow (Eng)Stems and LeavesUrinary ailments[46]
Hibiscus pedunculatus L.f.MalvaceaePink mallow (Eng); indola ebomvu (Zulu)LeavesUrinary ailments[43]
Hoslundia opposita VahlLamiaceaeBird gooseberry (Eng); uyaweyawe (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[46]
Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall.HypoxidaceaeInkanfe (Zulu); yellow star (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[47, 50]
Hypoxis rigidula BakerHypoxidaceaeIlabatheka, inkomfe, umhungulo (Zulu); African potato (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[47, 50]
Indigofera cassioides DC.LeguminosaeUnknownNot specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br.ConvolvulaceaeBeach morning glory, goat’s foot (Eng); strandpatat (Afr)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Jasminum abyssinicum Hochst. ex DC.OleaceaeMthundangaziRootsBladder ailments[68]
Kedrostis capensis A. MeeuseCucurbitaceaeSesepa sa linoha (Sotho)Tubular roots and leavesUrinary tract infection[69]
Ledebouria marginata (Baker) JessopAsparagaceaeBokhoe (Sotho)Root bulbUrinary tract infection[70]
Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br.LamiaceaeKlip dagga, wild dagga (Afr)Stems with leaves and flowersBladder and kidney disorders,[49]
Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt & J.C.ManningLeguminosaeKalkoenblom, keurtjie (Afr)LeavesKidney and urinary ailments[50, 56]
Matricaria chamomilla L.CompositaeChamomile (Eng)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Melianthus pectinatus Harv.MelianthaceaeKriekiebos, lidjiebos (Afr)RootUrinary tract infection[56]
Mentha longifolia (L.) L.LamiaceaeWild mint (Eng); ufuthana lomhlanga (Zulu)LeavesBladder and kidney ailments[49, 52, 68]
Merwilla plumbea (Lindl.) SpetaAsparagaceaeInguduza, untabosizi, untangana zibomvana (Zulu)Not specifiedBladder ailments[47, 50]
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium L.f.AizoaceaeIbohlololo (Zulu)LeavesBladder ailment[44, 47, 53]
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.AizoaceaeCommon ice plant, crystalline ice plant (Eng); soutslaai, volstruisslaai (Afr)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Mikania capensis DC.CompositaeUmdlonzo, umhlozo (Zulu)LeavesUrinary ailments[42, 43]
Millettia oblata DunnLeguminosaeUnknownRootsBladder ailments[42]
Notobubon galbanum (L.) MageeApiaceaeBlister bush (Eng); bergseldery (Afr)Not specifiedKidney and bladder ailment[42, 52]
Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f.NymphaeaceaeBlue water lily (Eng); blouwaterlelie (Afr); izubu, iziba, ugobho (Zulu)LeavesUrinary tract infection[46, 47, 49]
Ocimum americanum L.LamiaceaeHoary basil (Eng); wilde basielkruid (Afr)Not specifiedUrinary tract infection[46]
Ocotea bullata (Burch.) E. Meyer in DregeLauraceaeStinkwood, laurel wood (Eng); umnukani, umhlungulu (Zulu)BarkUrinary ailments[43, 58]
Olea europaea L.OleaceaeWild olive (Eng); olyfhout, olienhout (Afr); isadlulambezo (Zulu)Roots and barkUrinary tract infection[43, 46]
Oncoba spinosa Forssk.SalicaceaeSnuff-box tree (Eng); snuifkalbassie (Afr)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.CactaceaeFoie e kubedu (Sepedi); mudoro (Venda)RootsUrinary ailments[63]
Pedalium murex L.PedaliaceaeLarge caltrops (Eng)LeavesBladder ailments[42]
Pegolettia baccharidifolia Less.CompositaeGhwarrieson, heuningdou (Afr)Leaves and twigsBladder and kidney ailments[44, 45]
Pelargonium grossularioides (L.) L'Hér.GeraniaceaeRooirabas (Afr); gooseberry-leaved Pelargonium (Eng)Leaves and stemsUrinary tract infection[51, 68]
Pelargonium hypoleucum Turcz.GeraniaceaeRooirabas (Afr)RootsUrinary tract infection[56]
Pelargonium ramosissimum Willd.GeraniaceaeDassieboegoe, dassiebos (Afr)Leaves and stemsBladder and kidney ailments[51, 68]
Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch) Walp.RubiaceaeSooibrandbossie (Afr); icimamlilo (Zulu)RootsBladder and kidney ailments[43]
Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman ex A.W.Hill.ApiaceaePietersielie (Afr); parsley (Eng)LeavesBladder ailments[49, 66]
Phytolacca heptandra Retz.PhytolaccaceaeInkbessie (Afr); ingubivumile (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[43]
Portulaca quadrifida L.PortulacaceaePigweed, wild purslane (Eng); kanniedood (Afr)Not specifiedBladder and kidney ailments[42, 46]
Prunus persica (L.) BatschRosaceaePeach (Eng)LeavesBladder ailments[42]
Ranunculus multifidus Forssk.RanunculaceaeBotterblom, brandblare (Afr); uxhaphozi (Zulu)LeavesUrinary ailments[43]
Rhamnus prinoides L'Hér.RhamnaceaeMofifi (Sotho)RootKidney and bladder ailment[54]
Rhoicissus tridentata (L.f.) Wild & R.B.Drumm.VitaceaeWild/bitter grape (Eng); bobbejaantou, wildedruif (Afr); isinwazi (Zulu)StemsUrinary ailments[43, 64]
Rhynchosia caribaea (Jacq.) DC.LeguminosaeSnoutbean (Eng); rankboontjie (Afr); isihlahlasenqomfi (Zulu)RootsUrinary ailments[46]
Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC.LeguminosaeLeast snoutbean, burn-mouth-vine (Eng)RootsBladder ailments[46]
Rhynchosia sublobata (Schum.) MeikleLeguminosaeTwiner of barren ground (Eng)RootsBladder ailments[46]
Ricinus communis L.EuphorbiaceaeOlieboom, olieblaar (Afr)LeavesUrinary and kidney ailments[47, 50]
Rotheca hirsuta (Hochst.) R.FernLamiaceaeButterfly bush, wild violet (Eng); umathanjana, lusikisiki (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[64]
Ruta graveolens L.RutaceaeWynruit (Afr)LeavesUrinary tract infection and bladder ailments[49, 56]
Salix woodii SeemenSalicaceaeWild willow (Eng)BarkUrinary ailments[69]
Salix mucronata Thunb.SalicaceaeCape willow (Eng); vaalwilger (Afr)BarkBladder ailments[46]
Salvadora persica L.SalvadoraceaeToothbrush tree, real mustard tree (Eng); kerriebos (Afr)RootsUrinary tract infection[46]
Salvia microphylla KunthLamiaceaeBaby sage, Graham's sage, blackcurrant sage (Eng)RootsUrinary ailments[50]
Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & NordalAmaryllidaceaeIdumbe likahloyile, uhloyile, umphompo (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[47]
Solanum aculeastrum DunalSolanaceaeGifappel (Afr); umthuma, untumane (Zulu)FruitUrinary tract infection and kidney ailments[47, 48]
Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R.Br.FabaceaeKeurtjies, kankerbossie (Afr)Leaves and stemsBladder and kidney ailments[49]
Tarchonanthus camphoratus L.CompositaeCamphor bush (Eng); wilde kanferbos (Afr); igceba elimhlope (Zulu)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[64]
Teucrium trifidum Retz.LamiaceaeKatjiedriebaar (Afr)LeavesBladder ailments[56, 57]
Thesium hystrix A.W.HillSantalaceaeKleinswartstorm (Afr)RootsBladder ailments[42]
Tragia meyeriana Müll.Arg.EuphorbiaceaeStinging nettle (Eng); ubangalala, imbabazane (Zulu)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42, 43]
Tragia rupestris Sond.EuphorbiaceaeUbangalala, imbabazane (Zulu)RootsBladder ailments[43]
Trichilia emetica VahlMeliaceaeRed rash (Eng); basteressenhout (Afr); ixolo, umkhuhlu (Zulu)BarkKidney ailments[43]
Trifolium africanum Ser.LeguminosaeErasmus clover, wild clover (Eng); wildeklawer (Afr); moqoiqoi, moqophi (Sesotho)Not specifiedBladder ailments[63]
Typha capensis (Rohrb.) N.E.Br.TyphaceaePapkuil (Afr)Not specifiedBladder and kidney ailments[46]
Urtica urens L.UrticaceaeSmall nettle (Eng); dog nettle Eng)BarkBladder pains[58]
Warburgia salutaris (G.Bertol.) Chiov.CanellaceaeIsibaha (Zulu)LeavesUrethral ailments[67]
Withania somnifera (L.) DunalSolanaceaeWinter cherry (Eng); geneesblaar (Afr)RootsBladder ailments[46]
Xanthium strumarium L.CompositaeKankerroos (Afr)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]
Xysmalobium undulatum (L.) W.T.AitonApocynaceaeWild cotton (Eng); melkbos (Afr)Not specifiedBladder ailments[46]
Zantedeschia albomaculata (Hook.) Baill.AraceaeArum lilies, calla lilies, pig lily (Eng.); varkblom (Afr); mohalalitoe (Sotho)Not specifiedUrinary ailments[54, 6264]
Zea mays L.PoaceaeCorn (Eng); umbila (Zulu)Not specifiedBladder ailments[42]