Ethnopharmacognostic study of folk cosmeceuticals in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Cosmeceuticals made from natural resources tend to have more advantages such as limited side effects, cheaper costs and biodegradability, compared to the synthetic ones. Even though ethnobotanical knowledge has the potential to generate new knowledge that may lead to the development of new products, this knowledge is disappearing quickly in recent times and that poses a threat to alternative sources of remedies for skin disorders. The aim of the study was to explore the ethnopharmacognosy of folk cosmeceuticals in Vhembe district. The study was conducted using the mixed method whereby semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from seventy-one (71) community members. The semi-structured questionnaire had both closed-ended and open-ended questions.Data collected were analysed using both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods. Qualitative data was thematically analysed while the quantitative ethnobotanical indices include use-value and relative citation frequency. In total , fifty-four (54) plants such as Zea mays L (0.16) (Mufhumbu ha mavhele) ,Helinus integrifolius (Lam.) Kuntze (0 .18) (Mpupungwa), Dicerocaryum zanguebarium (Lour.) Merr (0.85) (Museto) and Ricinus communis L (0.28) (Mupfure) were recorded. These aforementioned plants were the most cited in the study area. The most common plant families were Leguminosae/Fabaceae (6), Ebenaceae (5), Poaceae (5) and Euphorbiaceae (4) . In terms of plant life form, trees (41%) were the most common while leaves (31%) were the most popular plant parts. In total , 21 non-plant resources such as ashes, pig fat, ochre (Luvhundi soil), stone, python fat and soot were recorded asfolk cosmeceuticals among the selected communities in Vhembe district. The modes of preparation and indigenous practices in the usage of medicinal plants for cosmeceutical purposes were documented. Crushing (25%), grinding (14%) and juice (13%) were the most cited modes of preparation that were recorded, and performing of rituals and following taboos are some of the indigenous practices involved in folk cosmeceuticals to ensure their effectiveness. The remedies are mostly applied topically as paste, and some of the cosmeceutical conditions treated are rash, wound, ringworms, facial hygiene, shampoos and body creams. The customary rules, taboos and indigenous storages are some of the techniques used to ensure the availabil ity of folk cosmeceuticals. The study concluded that, the number of natural resources documented is an indication that the Vhembe district is rich in ethnopharmacognostic knowledge regarding folk cosmeceuticals. Most of the information was received from the elders, suggesting that young people do not have such knowledge. Hence, it is important to intensify effort(s) to document the ethnopharmacognosy knowledge regarding cosmeceuticals. To advance the findings from the current study, scientific validation of the claimed efficacy of indigenous cosmeceuticals is warranted/necessary.