Articles
From tradition to wellness: ethnobotanical insights on Ziziphus mucronata as a reproductive health beverage
Article number
1466_25
Pages
205 – 212
Language
English
Abstract
Ziziphus mucronata Willd. is a multipurpose plant that is commonly used in African traditional medicine for the management of diverse infections affecting humans and animals.
Despite its extensive research and ethnomedicinal use, limited attention has been directed towards its use as a reproductive health beverage.
This study assessed the potential use of Z. mucronata for reproductive health by critically reviewing its medicinal value, phytochemical profiles, and nutraceutical benefits.
Data were retrieved from peer-reviewed articles extracted from ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases.
It is traditionally consumed as a warm beverage for managing sexually transmitted infections, infertility, and menstrual disorders.
Warm infusions of the root, bark, or leaves are taken orally as a health-promoting beverage.
Nutritional analysis indicated the presence of essential macronutrients and minerals.
Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of flavonoids and triterpenes that generally have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may mitigate reproductive health dysfunction.
Beyond its medicinal applications, Z. mucronata produces highly desired fruits, making it an important nutritional resource with the capacity to contribute to innovation within the beverage industry, especially for the development of health-promoting beverages.
Despite its extensive research and ethnomedicinal use, limited attention has been directed towards its use as a reproductive health beverage.
This study assessed the potential use of Z. mucronata for reproductive health by critically reviewing its medicinal value, phytochemical profiles, and nutraceutical benefits.
Data were retrieved from peer-reviewed articles extracted from ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases.
It is traditionally consumed as a warm beverage for managing sexually transmitted infections, infertility, and menstrual disorders.
Warm infusions of the root, bark, or leaves are taken orally as a health-promoting beverage.
Nutritional analysis indicated the presence of essential macronutrients and minerals.
Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of flavonoids and triterpenes that generally have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may mitigate reproductive health dysfunction.
Beyond its medicinal applications, Z. mucronata produces highly desired fruits, making it an important nutritional resource with the capacity to contribute to innovation within the beverage industry, especially for the development of health-promoting beverages.
Publication
Authors
H. Khumalo, J.L. Mwinga, A.O. Aremu
Keywords
biodiversity, buffalo thorn, fertility, medicinal plants, nutraceutical, phytochemicals
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