Gunnera perpensa L.: A multi-use ethnomedicinal plant species in South Africa

Abstract

Gunnera perpensa L. is a medicinal plant used in many parts of South Africa to treat several human ailments. G. perpensa is inherited from and linked to the Siswati, Changana, Sotho, Venda, Shona, Tsonga, and Zulu traditional healing systems, particularly in South African provinces where the plant species is still found in the wild. G. perpensa is declining considerably throughout its natural habitat due to over-exploitation of the plant for its medicinal uses. This review aims to gather the fragmented information on the past and present ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of G. perpensa.