The traditional use of medicinal plants to treat sexually transmitted diseases

Abstract

All six plants studied (Senna petersiana, Terminalia sericea, Cassine transvaalensis, Elephantorrhiza burkei, Rauvoljia caffra and Anredera cordifolia) proved to have considerable antibacterial activity. The water extracts of five of the six plants tested, showed activity against Bacillus pumilis, B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Water extracts from S. petersiana showed a significant antibacterial activity by inhibiting all Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria.