MEDICINAL PLANTS OF TRANSKEI

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Cachet: The cachet is a botanical illustration of Lantana rugosa, painted in a soft naturalistic style against a warm yellow highlight. Clusters of small round purple berries hang from thin reddish stems, surrounded by broad, textured green leaves with visible veining. The plant is shown in full, from its woody lower stems up through several branching stalks, giving a clear sense of its bushy growth habit. Below the illustration the plant's scientific name appears in italics, with "Medicinal Plants 2" printed beneath it in plain black type.

Info card

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF TRANSKEI Second Series Traditional Xhosa medicinal herbs were first featured on a set of four postage stamps issued by Transkei in 1977. The plants introduced in this second series are highly esteemed by the Xhosa for their curative value. The Leonotis leonurus is also prized by gardeners for its decorative appearance and hardiness. Attention is drawn to the fact that anything medicinal is likely to be toxic in an overdose, hence these notes on the various uses of these plants should not be regarded as a medical prescription. 5c Leonotis leonurus — Xhosa name: umfincamfincane This tall, erect shrub with dense clusters of velvety tubular orange flowers borne in the axils of the upper leaves, is commonly known as red dagga or minaret flower. It occurs extensively in open woodland and on flats and hillsides. Transkei inhabitants use the leaves of this plant to relieve asthma and sinus troubles, stomach-ache and haemorrhoids, and also as a purgative and an antidote for snake-bite. 15c Euphorbia bupleurifolia — Xhosa name: intsema This dwarf succulent occurs in the eastern Cape Province, Transkei and Natal. The thick rounded stems are marked with the scars of fallen leaves. The leaves as well as the roots contain a milky sap used by the Xhosa for the treatment of persistent sores, eczema and similar skin ailments. The sap is harmful when swallowed or if it comes into contact with the eyes. 20c Pelargonium reniforme — Xhosa name: ikubalo This erect shrublet with its kidney-shaped leaves and cherry-red flowers borne in an umbel-like inflorescence, presents a fine sight growing singly or in lush patches on the dry flats and Transkei grassland. The Xhosa people use the leaves in the treatment of various chest complaints, while an infusion of the acid root-juices is widely used as a remedy for diarrhoea, dysentery and other stomach complaints. 25c Hibiscus trionum — Xhosa name: elentshulube This branched, erect or scandent annual herb with bristly stems, deeply 3-lobed leaves and large attractive cream to yellow flowers with purple centres, is a native of Europe that has now become a common weed in gardens and farm-lands and is widespread throughout Southern Africa. A decoction of the crushed roots is considered by the Xhosa to be a sure remedy for intestinal worms. Commemorative cover: Lantana rugosa — Xhosa name: uTywala bentaka This aromatic branched and erect shrub is commonly known as bird's brandy and occurs throughout Southern Africa. The Xhosa use this plant as a remedy for rheumatism and eye diseases. A paste is made of the stems and leaves for the treatment of persistent sores. Date-stamp: Hibiscus trionum MEDISINALE PLANTE VAN TRANSKEI Tweede Reeks Tradisionele Xhosa medisinale kruie het in 1977 die eerste keer op 'n stel vier posseëls wat deur Transkei uitgereik is, verskyn. Die aandag word daarop gevestig dat medisinaal enigiets kan wees giftig as dit in oormaat geneem word. Hierdie aantekeninge oor die verskillende gebruike van hierdie plante moet dus nie as 'n mediese voorskrif beskou word nie. 5c Leonotis leonurus — Xhosanaam: umfincamfincane Hierdie hoë regop struik met sy diggedronge trosse fluweelagtige buisvormige oranje blomme wat in die oksels van die boonste blare voorkom, is algemeen bekend as wildedagga. Dit kom wydverspreid voor in oop boswêreld, op vlaktes en teen heuwels. Die inwoners van Transkei gebruik die blare van hierdie plant om asma en sinusaandoenings te verlig, maagpyn en aambeie en ook as 'n purgeermiddel en 'n teengif vir slangbyt. 15c Euphorbia bupleurifolia — Xhosanaam: intsema Hierdie dwergsukkulent, wat algemeen bekend staan as melkbol, kom versprei voor in Oos-Kaapland, Transkei en Natal. Die dik ronde stamme dra die littekens van blare wat afgeval het. Die blare sowel as die wortels bevat 'n melkerige sap wat deur die Xhosa gebruik word vir die behandeling van hardnekkige sere, ekseem en soortgelyke velkwale. Die melksap is skadelik as dit deur die mond ingeneem word of as dit in die oë kom. 20c Pelargonium reniforme — Xhosanaam: ikubalo Hierdie regop struikie met sy niervormige blare en kersierooi blomme wat in 'n skermagtige bloeiwyse gedra word, vertoon pragtig enkel of in welige plate op die droë vlaktes en in die grasveld van Transkei. Die Xhosa gebruik die blare vir die behandeling van verskeie borskwale, terwyl 'n treksel van die vrank wortelsappe dikwels gebruik word as 'n geneesmiddel vir diarree, disenterie en ander maagkwale. 25c Hibiscus trionum — Xhosanaam: elentshulube Hierdie vertakte regop of klimmende eenjarige kruid met sy stekelrige stingels, diep 3-lobbige blare en groot aantreklike roomkleurige tot geel blomme met pers in die middel, is inheems in Europa en kom nou wydversprei in landerye van Suider-Afrika voor. 'n Afkooksel van die fyngestampte wortels word deur die Xhosa gebruik word as 'n geneesmiddel vir ingewandswurms beskou. Gedenkkoevert: Lantana rugosa — Xhosanaam: uTywala bentaka Hierdie welriekende regop struik wat algemeen bekend staan as wildesalie, kom wydversprei voor in suidelike Afrika. Die Xhosa gebruik hierdie plant as 'n geneesmiddel vir rumatiek en oogkwale. 'n Pasta word van die stingels en blare gemaak vir die behandeling van sere wat nie wil genees nie. Datumstempel: Hibiscus trionum

Additional information

This cover is postmarked on 15 April 1981 in Lusikisiki. The four stamps, illustrated by Bob Findlay, depict Leonotis leonurus, Euphorbia bupleurifolia, Pelargonium reniforme and Hibiscus trionum, all plants used in traditional Xhosa medicine. This was the second series of medicinal plant stamps issued by Transkei, following an initial set in 1977. Several of the plants featured here, including Leonotis leonurus, were used to treat a wide range of ailments from asthma to snakebite, and the same plant was also prized by gardeners for its ornamental orange flowers.

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