The use and potential abuse of psychoactive plants in southern Africa: an overview of evidence and future potential
Frontiers in Pharmacology May 24, 2024 Norman Nyazema, Jonathan Tinotenda Chanyandura, B. Egan 7 citations
Traditional medical practitioners in southern Africa use several indigenous psychoactive plants for divination and treating mental illnesses. A review of socio-pharmacological studies identified commonly used or abused plants including Boophone disticha, Cannabis sativa, Datura stramonium, Leonotis leonurus, Psilocybe cubensis, and Sceletium tortuosum. Commercialization of Cannabis, L. leonurus, S. tortuosum, and Aspalathus is growing rapidly, while abuse liability of B. disticha, D. stramonium, and P. cubensis appears underappreciated. Five countries have traditional medical practitioner policies, and three have councils. The authors suggest working closely with practitioners to reduce harm and explore therapeutic development of these plants.