A
visit to the African Herbalist's Shop (also known as the Museum of Man and
Science) in downtown Johannesburg will be an enlightening experience for those
who have used only traditional Western medicine when ill. Exhibits of skins,
claws and wings jostle with the more mundane roots, bark, powders and potions
which pack this shop. Consider the fact that there are over 200000 African
traditional healers in South Africa and you will realize that the muti sold in
this shop is not an oddity, but the source of the majority of South Africans'
healing supplies. Inyangas, or izinyanga, (herbalists) and sangomas, or
izangoma, (diviners) use a huge variety of plants in their work. Some are used
as charms — for example, as a love charm (Crabbea hirsuta) — or for strictly
medicinal purposes. Wild ginger (Acridompus natalitius), for example, is used
for coughs and colds. Luckily for the curious, there is a daily tour and a
museum is planned.
Johannesburg can be the perfect start to your Kruger National Park Self Drive.
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