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Childhood diseases remain an increasing health problem in many developing countries and also associated with an enormous financial burden. In South Africa, many people still rely on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare. However, inadequate documentation of medicinal plants used to manage childhood diseases remain a prominent gap. Hence, the current study explored the importance of medicinal plants to treat and manage childhood diseases in the North West Province, South Africa. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted with 101 participants using semi-structured interviews (face-to-face). Ethnobotanical indices such as Frequency of citation (FC), Use-value (UV) and Informed Consensus Factor (ICF) were used for data analysis. A total of 61 plants from 34 families were recorded as medicine used for managing seven (7) categories of diseases resulting from 29 sub-categories. Skin-related and gastro-intestinal diseases were the most prevalent childhood health conditions encountered by the study participants. Based on their FC values that ranged from approximately 0.9–75%, the most popular medicinal plants used by the participants were Aptosinum elongatum (75.2%), Commelina diffusa (45.5%), Euphorbia prostrata (31.6%) and Bulbine frutescens (31.7%). In terms of the UV, A. elongatum (0.75), C. diffusa (0.45), E. prostrata (0.31), H. hemerocallidea (0.19) and E. elephantina (0.19) were the dominant plants used for treating and managing childhood diseases. Based on ICF, skin-related diseases dominated with the highest ICF value of 0.99. This category had 381 use-reports, comprising 34 plants (55.7% of total plants) used for childhood-related diseases. Particularly, B. frutescens and E. elephantina were the most-cited plants for the aforementioned category. Leaves (23%) and roots (23%) were the most frequently used plant parts. Decoctions and maceration were the main preparation methods, and the plant remedies were mainly administered orally (60%) and topically (39%). The current study revealed the continuous dependence on the plant for primary health care relating to childhood diseases in the study area. We generated a valuable inventory of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge for child healthcare needs. However, investigating the biological efficacies, phytochemical profiles and the safety of these identified plants in relevant test systems remain essential in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The use of plants against different diseases and for general well-being in children remain popular. • We identified 194 plants from 66 families that are utilised for childhood diseases. • Majority of the plants were used against non-infectious diseases (and general well-being). Childhood diseases represent a sizeable proportion of mortality burden that could potentially be alleviated when effectively managed. In South Africa, the use of medicinal plants against different diseases and for the general well-being in children is enriched in the culture of different ethnic groups. However, the potential associated with this aspect of traditional medicine remain understudied and poorly-explored. This review critically assessed the existing knowledge on the use of plants for the management of childhood diseases and well-being in South Africa. Information regarding plants used for childhood diseases were obtained from different scientific databases and ethnobotanical books. A total of 194 plants from 66 families have been documented as remedies for childhood diseases and well-being across 7 provinces in South Africa. Rhoicissus tridentata, Gomphocarpus fruticosus, Vachellia karroo and Kigelia africana were among the most popular plants based on the number of mentions (3–4) in the assessed literature. Furthermore, Agathosma capensis, Bidens pilosa, Peltophorum africanum and Microglossa mespilifolia were among the most versatile plants with high (> 5) number of uses against different conditions in children. The plant families mostly represented (each with 11–33 plants) included Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae. The majority of the plants were used against non-infectious diseases (and general well-being), while others had applications against infectious diseases such as colds/influenza and tuberculosis. In terms of conservation status, the majority (84%) of the plants were reported to be of 'least concern', 12% were 'invasive alien species (lacking conservation status in the Red List of South African Plants), while 4% (rare, near threatened and endangered) remain of a high conservation concern. Evidence from the limited ethnobotanical surveys reveal the importance of medicinal plants for the management and treatment of diverse health conditions in children. The absence of plant inventory for some of the provinces and ethnic groups in South Africa requires urgent attention due to the possible loss of such valuable indigenous knowledge over-time. In addition, the absence of the specific medicinal uses for a significant portion of the plants remained a major challenge that need to be addressed in future research endeavours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 25 plants were documented as remedies for retained placenta in Dinokana. • Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Drimia sanguinea had the highest frequency of citation. • Herbs were the most dominating plant-life form. • Roots were the most widely used plant part. Farmers and herders often interface ethno-veterinary knowledge and modern veterinary to treat their livestock. Viability of livestock production in local communities is continuously under the threat due to different diseases including retained placenta. The current study documented medicinal plants used to treat retained placenta and associated diseases in Dinokana communities, North West Province, South Africa. Ethnobotanical data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The collected data was presented as percentages and frequencies, use-value, frequency of citation and cultural importance index. In the study area, 25 plants from 18 families were indicated as remedies for the treatment of retained placenta in cattle. Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Peltophorum africanum, Drimia sanguinea and Elephantorrhiza elephantina were the most cited plants. The most dominating life forms were herbs (40%) and shrubs (36%). The plant parts commonly preferred in the preparation of remedies for retained placenta included the roots (36%) and leaves (21%) and whole plant (18%). Poultice (68%), maceration (24%) and decoction (8%) were the three methods of preparation that were described by the participants. Most (68%) of plants were administered topically. As indicated by the participants, at least 20% of the 25 medicinal plants had multiple indications (uses) either as single-plant or poly-plant remedies against diseases in cattle. Apart from retained placenta in cattle, these plant remedies were used for constipation, intestinal parasites, anaemia, pain and inflammation as well as diarrhoea. The study unravelled the rich indigenous knowledge on plants with ethno-veterinary value among Dinokana communities. Further studies are needed in order to determine biological activities and safety as well as the chemical profiles for these documented plants especially for those currently lacking scientific evidence on their efficacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wild fruit plant species provide medicinal and nutritional benefits. • A total of 83 plant species from 63 genera and 31 families have been documented in the Ehlanzeni district of Mpumalanga. • The nutraceutical benefits of some wild fruit plants are yet to be explored. • The development of large-scale cultivation methods for wild fruit plants is necessary. Globally, plants serve as an important primary source of livelihood, mainly in rural communities. Food and health security are increasingly a concern in developed and developing countries, with a growing number of antimicrobial drug-resistant microbes and unwanted side effects of drugs challenging primary healthcare systems. Alternative sources of nutrition and medicine are thus necessary to curb food insecurity and resolve long-standing and emerging health issues. This review is a critical appraisal of the existing knowledge of wild fruit species in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Information on the ethnobotanical use of wild fruits in Mpumalanga province was acquired from various scientific databases and ethnobotanical literature. A sum of 83 plant species of 63 genera and 31 families have been documented in the Ehlanzeni district of Mpumalanga. Carissa spinarum L., Strychnos madagascariensis Poir., and Strychnos spinosa L. were some of the most commonly used plant species in Mpumalanga Province. Seventy six percent of the wild fruit species have medicinal uses, whereas 51 % have nutritional uses. The study revealed that ethnobotanical studies on wild fruit species were conducted in Ehlanzeni district municipality, which showed that there is still a dearth of information in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The study reveals that the medicinal and nutritional uses of wild fruit species in Mpumalanga Province are not fully explored across different ethnic groups, and their economic significance is also insufficiently determined. Therefore, more ethnobotanical studies are needed to document the nutritional, medicinal, and economic value of these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An inventory of 46 indigenous fruits and vegetables (IFVs) from 19 families were recorded • Ageratum conyzoides, Citrus aurantiifolia, Talinum fruticosum were the most popular IFVs • Asteraceae (8) and Malvaceae (6) were the dominant families for the 46 IFVs • Food (53%), medicine/health benefits (46%) and fuel/energy source (1%) were the major use-categories • Elaeis guineensis was recorded as the most diverse IFV with applications in the 3 use-categories Plants including indigenous/naturalised fruits and vegetables (IFVs) have the potential towards meeting the food and nutrition needs of humans. Currently, IFVs are threatened by human activities such as deforestation, environmental degradation and acculturation. As a result, the need for ethnobotanical surveys that focuses on the documentation of IFVs remains pertinent. This study explored the utilisation pattern of IFVs among participants in 40 rural communities of Ondo state, Nigeria. Ethnobotanical information was collected among 400 participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Thereafter, the frequency of citation (FC, %) was calculated. An inventory of 46 indigenous and naturalised plant species from 19 families were identified as a source of food, nutritional and therapeutic purposes as well as energy source (fuel) in the study area. The FC ranged from approximately 32-90% and IFVs such as Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. (89.5%), Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle (89.5%), Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. (88.8%), Amaranthus hybridus L. (87.8%), Vernonia adoensis var. adoensis (86.8%) and Vernonia amygdalina Delile (86.8%) were the most commonly cited plants. The dominant plant families were Asteraceae (8 IFVs) and Malvaceae (6 IFVs) while the leaves (35%) and fruit (21%) were the most frequently used plant parts. In terms of use-categories, the IFVs served as food (53%), medicine/health benefits (46%) and fuel/energy source (1%), which is an indication of their diverse potential in the study area. Elaeis guineensis Jacq. was recorded as a highly diverse IFV with applications in the three aforementioned use-categories. Overall, the current findings contribute to the on-going global research efforts aimed at the documentation of indigenous plants. However, the determination of the nutritional and phytochemical content of identified IFVs collected from the study area will be essential for their characterisation which may enhance their acceptance among the local and wider populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]