Since the beginning of time Indigenous Knowledge has played a crucial role in the healing of illness amongst South African people. With South Africa being ranked as the third most biodiverse country in the world with 95 000 known species to date, it is no surprise that traditional medicine has been very popular form of healing for centuries. The Covid-19 Virus has since popularized traditional medicine once again with the news of the Artemisia afra (umhlonyane) plant being used to fight against the symptoms of Covid-19.

VIDA Pharmaceuticals, a tenant company at The Innovation Hub has been dedicated to exploring the healing properties of various medicinal plants and roots including the umhlonyane plant, with the aim of establishing their levels of toxicity, human dosage and safety.

Patricia Mathivha – Managing Director of VIDA Pharmaceuticals, stated that ” the Artemisia plant (umhlonyane) has been cultivated for its healing properties for many years, however there are different kinds of the umhlonyane plant, and therefore we cannot assume that the one in Madagascar is the same one we find growing in South Africa” .

Elders and traditional healers have carried the indigenous knowledge with them to discem the plants to be used for certain illnesses and how to administer the dosage to not cause later complications. However due to the COVID-19 crisis, many people were operating in panic and trying by all means to prevent themselves from getting the virus. Many households across the country have been self-medicating and mixing different medications and plants with the intention of protecting themselves from getting sick and unintentionally causing more damage.

Patricia Mathivha, “states that there are many dangers in the usage of the umhlonyane plant mainly because they have not been established guidelines on the dosage. Too much of the plant can be dangerous for one’s health even more so if mixed with other medication. Before one starts self-medicating, its important to consult a physician about the different medicines that you are proposing to take so that you can be assured that the medications do not conflict with each other”

VIDA Pharmaceuticals has been undergoing intensive research on the umhlonyane plant to develop a product that has been tested and provides the essential properties for the desired healing outcome. With the aim of ensuring the best outcome VIDA pharmaceuticals has been collaborating with other companies to fast track the process. “examining these plants in the Lab, we are able to enhance certain properties within the plant as well as minimize the levels of toxicity to create a product that has minimal side effects. - Patricia Mathivha, Managing Director; VIDA Pharmaceuticals.