Index / Herbal Products / Thusano Lefatsheng Private Bag 00251, Gaborone, Botswana Tel/Fax: (+267) 399170/1   E-mail: thusanol@info.bw Kalahari Devil's Claw Kalahari Devil's Claw, also known as grapple in English and Sengaparile in Setswana and scientifically as Harpagophytum Procumbens D C, occurs mostly on undisturbed sites of the Kalahari sands in Botswana. It is also found in part of Namibia and South Africa. About fifty years ago the drug became known in some European countries, and since that time it has been used there for several conditions, such as gastro-intestinal problems, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, hepatitis, neuralgia and so on. Active ingredients (Harpagide and procumbide) have been isolated by western medical researchers and have been proved effective against arthritis and rheumatism. The tablets or capsules made from these plant extracts are also recommended as medicines for general health. Mosukudu and Mosukujane Scientifically known as Lippia Javanica and Lippia Scaberrima deciduous perenial plant of the verbenaceae family which grows well on Botswana's hard veld. They have been used as a tea subtitute or taken together with tea by the Tswana people for a long time. They have a calming and relaxing effect like chamonile. They are generally used for coughs, colds and bronchial troubles. Records by Gelford et. al. (1985) show the use of mosukudu/mosukujane in Zimbabwe and Malawi for coughs, asthma, fever and haedache. Mosukudu/mosukujane are naturally caffeine free. They can be taken as tea substitute or in nurture with tea for enjoyment of their minty taste. They both have a good taste and a pleasant aroma. Lengana Scientifically known as Artemisia Afra, Jaca, is a woody prenial herb which occurs in the highland areas of Eastern and Southern Africa at altitudes of 1500 to 2000 metres above sea level. The plant grows along most river valleys in Botswana. Traditionally Lengana leaves are used for coughs, asthma, chills, lack of appetite, menstruational period pains and other gastric derangements, colic, wooping cough, gent and as a purgative. The infusion or decoction can also be used as a lotion to bathe haemorrhoids and as a hot bath to bring out rash in measles. The vapour from boiled leaves can be inhaled for respiratory affections and can relieve neuralgia, swellings in mumps, throat inflamations, sweating and the aching of the feet. Watt and Breyer-Brandivigh (1962) records that "Artemisia Afra and Barosma Betulina (Buchu) are joint constituents on a South African herbal wine". The species are also rich in essential oils. It can also be used together with tea or as a tea substitute.