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Botanical description
Hypericum aethiopicum is a perennial shrublet of up to one meter in height, with
creeping rhizhomes and erect, flowering branches. The opposite leaves are without
hairs but have small transluscent oil glands. The characteristic yellow flowers occur
in groups on the branch tips, followed by small dry capsules of about 10 mm long
and filled with numerous dark brown shiny seeds (Van Wyk et al., 1997).
Distribution
It grows in Angola (Huila), Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and has become
a trouble some weed (Bromilow, 2001).
Conservation status
No information on its conservation status was found.
Medicinal uses
Its roots are used in enemas administered for backache or for pains due to kidney or
abdominal complaints; while its leaves are cooked and strained, and the resulting
liquid is taken to heal sores. The decoction is also used to treat venereal diseases
(Hutchings et al., 1996).
Data from ethnobotanical survey
The leaves are heated, ground and mixed with Vaseline. A dose of the mixture is
then applied to a wound, depending on that wound (Dindi 2007, pers. comm.).
Chemical content
Although no information is available on the chemistry of Hypericum aethiopicum but
certain chemicals have been found in Hypericum perforatum and other closely
related species. The naphthodianthrone hypericin and hypericin like substances
occur in several species of Hypericum. The flavonoids rutin, hyperin, isoquercetrin
and biflavonoids are also present with up to 3% of a known antibacterial substance
called hyperforin (Van Wyk et al., 1997).
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