an investigation into the antibacterial activities of medicinal plants ...

deaths, heart attacks, and strokes as a result of improper long term dietary aid
administration (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet/fs134/en/print.html).
The prices of pure isolated substances from plants are beyond the financial
resources of most people in developing countries (George & van Staden, 2000).
Isolated compounds from medicinal plants might have the potential to be promoted to
such an extent that it may result in a similar outcome as some synthetic miracle
compounds. The inappropriate use of some synthetically produced drugs have
facilitated the development of antimicrobial resistance, with its life threatening
consequences (Lewis, 1995). Therefore it is essential that the correct dosage,
safety, stability, efficacy and other important factors pertaining to plants used
indigenously are thoroughly researched and documented (Eloff, 1998b).
It was recommended by the WHO in 1996 to test and document the different
standards defining the identity, purity, and potency of plants used medicinally in the
form of a plant monograph. Thereby the monograph serves as a revised carbon
copy of traditional herbal knowledge for future generations
(http://www.sahealthinfo.org/traditionalmeds/aboutuwc.htm).
2.1.3 Traditional herbalism and westernised biomedicine
The WHO defines health as “a complete state of physical and mental well being, and
not merely as an absence of disease or infirmity”
(http://www.thelancet.com/search/search.isa). In contrast to westernised biomedicine
where the patient is viewed as a sum of organ systems, neurophysiological
hydraulics and where only the affected parts of the body are treated, traditional
healers take a more holistic approach, looking at the whole body (physical, mental
and spiritual) (http://www.thelancet.com/search/search.isa;
http://www.conserveafrica.org/medicinal_plants.rtf).
The quality of herbal medicine is influenced by factors such as the location of growth
and correct identification of collected medicinal plants
(www.who.int/medicines/library/trm_polpers_eng.pdf). Besides the variability of
some medicinal plant therapies, it has been used for millennia standing the test of
time as useful therapeutic remedies. Although conventional medicine is regulated
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