The concept of ’<i>Musa-pelo</i> and the medicinal use of shrubby legumes (Fabaceae) in Lesotho

Abstract

In the Kingdom of Lesotho, 20 plant species are commonly known as 'Musa-pelo. The term literally means ‘the one who brings back or tums around the heart’. 'Musa-pelo is traditionally used as a sedative and is given as a first aid treatment to bereaved people who are under severe psychological duress or stress. Of the 20 species known as 'Musa-pelo, 17 belong to nine genera of the Fabaceae (Argyrolobium, Crotalaria, Indigofera, Lessertia, Lotononis, Melolobium, Sutherlandia, Tephrosia and Trifolium). The three remaining species namely Cleome monophylla, Heliophila carnosa and Cysticapnos pruinosa, belong to the families Capparaceae, Brassicaceae and Fumariaceae, respectively. In this paper, the concept of 'Musa-pelo in traditional medicine is explored.

Keywords

• adaptogen
• bitter tonic
• Fabaceae
• immune stimulant
• sedative
• traditional medicine