View source for Muti

{{Short description|Southern African traditional medicine system}}
{{title language|af}}
{{Other uses}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Muthi|Muthi Muthi people|Muthi Muthi language|Muthis|Mutti (disambiguation){{!}}Mutti}}
{{Alternative medicine sidebar |traditional}}
'''{{lang|af|Muthi}}''' is a [[traditional medicine]] practice in [[Southern Africa]] as far north as [[Lake Tanganyika]].

==Name==
[[File:Margaritaria discoidea medicine bark.JPG|thumb|right|Stem of ''[[Margaritaria discoidea]]'' at [[Ilanda Wilds]], South Africa, showing old scar from bark removal for muti use]]
In [[South African English]], the word ''{{lang|en-ZA|muti}}'' is derived from the [[Zulu language|Zulu]]/[[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]/[[Northern Ndebele language|Northern Ndebele]] {{lang|zu|umuthi}}, meaning 'tree', whose root is {{lang|zu|-thi}}. In [[Southern Africa]], {{lang|zu|muti}} and other [[cognates]] of {{lang|zu|umuthi}} are in widespread use in most indigenous African languages as well as in South African English and [[Afrikaans]], which sometimes use {{lang|af|muti}} as a slang word for medicine in general.<ref name=Africa>{{cite web |title=Traditional African Healing |url=http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/traditionalhealing.html |publisher=African Code |access-date=18 September 2012 |archive-date=24 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824073004/http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/traditionalhealing.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

This noun is of the ''umu''/''imi'' class so the singular ('tree') is ''umuthi'' and the plural ('trees') is ''imithi''. Since the pronunciation of the initial vowel of this class is unstressed, the singular is sometimes pronounced ''muthi''. The word is rendered as ''muti'' by the historical effects of the British [[colonialism|colonial]] spelling.

In colloquial English and Afrikaans the word {{lang|af|muti}} is often used to refer to medicines in general or medicines that have a 'miraculous' effect, e.g.
* "{{Lang|af|Die dokter het 'muti' op die seerplek gesmeer en die volgende dag was dit heeltemal gesond.}}" (The doctor rubbed {{lang|af|muti}} on the wound and the next day it was completely healed.)
* "{{Lang|af|My dokter het vir my 'muti' verskaf vir my seer keel.}}" ("My doctor gave me some {{lang|af|muti}} for my sore throat.")

==Traditional medicine==
African [[traditional medicine]] makes use of various natural products, many derived from trees and other plants. Botanical medicine prescribed by an [[inyanga]] or herbal healer is generally known as "muthi", but the term can apply to other traditional medical formulations, including those that are zoological or mineral in composition.

[[Vulture]] brains are used for prophecy in muthi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vultures Are Revolting: Here's Why We Need to Save Them |author=Elizabeth Royte |work=National Geographic |date=January 2016 |access-date= 25 November 2018 |url= https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/01/vultures-endangered-scavengers/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161204172800/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/01/vultures-endangered-scavengers/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 4, 2016 }}</ref>

==Use of Isicakathi in the Eastern Cape==
[[Image:Street "Muti" vendor.jpg|thumb|Street ''muti'' vendor in South Africa]]
''Isicakathi'' is a term that is used by [[Xhosa people]] when referring to plants with supposed pharmacological
and therapeutic properties that are used as medicine for various ailments.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988>{{cite journal |doi=10.4102/abc.v18i1.995 |title=The identification of 'Isicakathi' and its medicinal use in Transkei |journal=Bothalia |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=125–30 |year=1988 |last1=Bolofo |first1=R. N |last2=Johnson |first2=C. T |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The people in the Eastern Cape of South Africa still strongly rely on traditional medicine and believe in its potency as an alternative to western medicine.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> There are various herbs that fall under ''isicakathi'' , used for [[pre-natal]] and [[post-natal]] medicine (although they can also be used for non-pregnancy related health issues).<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> The plants that fall under the ''isicakathi'' category differ according to the districts in the Eastern Cape, hence it is a general term used when referring to traditional medicine.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> There are eleven species of plants that fall under ''isicakathi'', namely ''[[Commelina africana]]'', ''[[Agapanthus praecox]]'', ''[[Chlorophytum comosum]]'', ''[[Ledebouria ovatifolia]]'', ''[[Ranunculus multifidus]]'', ''[[Thunbergia atriplicifolia]]'', ''[[Kohautia amatymbica]]'', ''[[Plantago major]]'', ''[[Gazania linearis]]'', ''[[Helichrysum pedunculatum]]'' and ''[[Senecio coronatus]]''.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> The use of these plants differs according to the various areas/ districts of the Eastern Cape.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> ''Commelina africana'' is used for menstrual problems, pelvic pains and bladder related issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=SANBI.Commelina Africana|url=http://pza.sanbi.org/commelina-africana|work=PlantZAfrica.com}}</ref> ''Agapanthus'' is found in pre-natal and post-natal medicine, which is used by pregnant women.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> ''Chlorophytum comosum'' is used as a protective charm against evil spirits for both mother and child.<ref>Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G. & Cunningham, A.B. 1996. Zulu medicinal plants. An inventory . University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.{{page needed|date=October 2017}}</ref> ''Ledebouria ovatifolia'' is used for medicinal purposes, including pregnancy, diarrhoea, influenza, backaches, skin irritations and wounds.<ref>{{cite web |title=SANBI.Ledebouria |url=http://pza.sanbi.org/ledebouria-genus |work=PlantZAfrica.com}}</ref> ''Ranunculus multifidus'' is used for epileptic fits in adults, lung problems and used as an emetic.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> ''Kohautia amatymbica'' is also used as an emetic.<ref>{{cite web |work=Prota4u |url=https://www.prota4u.org/database/protav8.asp?g=psk&p=Kohautia+amatymbica+Eckl.+&+Zeyh |title=''Kohautia amatymbica'' Eckl.}}</ref> ''Plantago major'' is used for wounds, inflammations, and eye irritations.<ref>Gaby H et al.[https://books.google.com/books?id=7FJqgQ3_tnUC&pg=PA462 MedicinalPlants,Volume1].</ref> ''Gazania linearis'' is applied on small cuts made on the body close to the joints to protect someone from evil spirits.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> ''Helichrysum pedunculatum'' is used as a dressing after circumcision and to prevent the wound from getting septic.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> ''Senecio coronatus'' is used to get rid of pubic lice.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> Generally, ''isicakathi'' or plants that are regarded to fall under ''isicakathi'' are mostly used by pregnant women and children.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> Thus, it is also used as a protective measure against sorcery during pregnancy.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=12476719 |year=2002 |last1=Abrahams |first1=N |title=Indigenous healing practices and self-medication amongst pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa |journal=African Journal of Reproductive Health |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=79–86 |last2=Jewkes |first2=R |last3=Mvo |first3=Z |doi=10.2307/3583133 |jstor=3583133 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

===Isicakathi for pre-natal and post-natal care===
''[[Agapanthus praecox]]'' is one of the plants that falls under ''isicakathi'' used during pregnancy. It is taken orally from the six month of pregnancy until delivery. The plant is put in a container full of water and half a cup of that water is taken orally, twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> It is believed that the plant’s growth determines the health of the unborn baby. The wilting of the plant is regarded as a symbol with regards to the baby's health, usually associated with death.
''Isicakathi'' is widely used to induce easy [[childbirth]].<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> It ensures that excess water is drained, reduces vaginal discharge and placental size.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0277-9536(96)00104-9 |title=Isihlambezo: Utilization patterns and potential health effects of pregnancy-related traditional herbal medicine |journal=Social Science & Medicine |volume=44 |issue=7 |pages=911–924 |year=1997 |last1=Varga |first1=C.A |last2=Veale |first2=D.J.H |pmid=9089914 }}</ref> The plants treat [[high blood pressure]] in both antenatal and postnatal care for women, whilst also preventing constipation.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1590/0001-3765201620150514 |pmid=27556330 |title=RDNA mapping, heterochromatin characterization and AT/GC content of Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns (Agapanthaceae) |journal=Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências |volume=88 |issue=3 suppl |pages=1727–1734 |year=2016 |last1=Reis |first1=Aryane C |last2=Franco |first2=ANA Luiza |last3=Campos |first3=Victória R |last4=Souza |first4=Flávia R |last5=Zorzatto |first5=Cristiane |last6=Viccini |first6=Lyderson F |last7=Sousa |first7=Saulo M |doi-access=free }}</ref>

''[[Rhoicissus tidentata]]'' is used to induce labour; its root can be used to prepare an [[enema]]. ''[[Erythrina lysistemon]]'' is used to induce labour pains during the childbirth process via pieces of the trunk's bark bound together and infused for the woman to drink. The crushed bulb of ''[[Gunnera perpensa]]'' is used to reduce swelling of the feet by infusing with boiling water and ingesting.<ref name=DlisaniBhat1999>{{cite journal |doi=10.1076/phbi.37.1.32.6316 |title=Traditional Health Practices in Transkei with Special Emphasis on Maternal and Child Health |journal=Pharmaceutical Biology |volume=37 |pages=32–36 |year=2008 |last1=Dlisani |first1=P.B |last2=Bhat |first2=R.B |doi-access=free }}</ref>

===The use of Isicakathi on the baby===
''[[Salvia scabra]]'', mixed with the mother’s milk, is given as medicine to infants. The mixture is given to the baby to ingest every day for two months.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/>
''Isicakathi'' is generally used to induce growth and prevent diseases. It is also used as an alternative to the mother’s milk and to counteract the milk’s sourness.<ref name=BolofoJohnson1988/> The use of ''Agapanthus praecox'' ensures that the baby is strong, whilst preventing bowel problems and crusts on its head.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1155/2017/3075638 |title=Micromorphological Characterization of the Leaf and Rhizome of Agapanthus praecox subsp. Praecox Willd. (Amaryllidaceae) |journal=Journal of Botany |volume=2017 |pages=1–10 |year=2017 |last1=Sharaibi |first1=Olubunmi Josephine |last2=Afolayan |first2=Anthony Jide |doi-access=free }}</ref>

An ointment is used to hasten the parturition of the baby and placenta using the leaves of ''[[Scutia mytina]]''. ''[[Erythrina humeana]]'' is used to heal the umbilical cord of the baby by burning the bark and using the powder to apply on the baby.<ref name=DlisaniBhat1999/>

[[File:Bluelily1900ppx.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Agapanthus praecox]]'' flower]]

[[File:Agapanthus africanus1.jpg|right|thumb|''[[Agapanthus africanus]]'' flower]]

== Muti killings ==
{{further|Murder for body parts}}
Occasions of murder with mutilation associated with some traditional medicine practices in South Africa have been termed ''muti killings''. These are not [[human sacrifice]]s directly, but rather involve the murder of someone in order to harvest body parts for incorporation into traditional medicines and rituals.

In February 2010, Deputy Provincial Commissioner William Mpembe of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in North West Province said that "muti murders, particularly those involving young children, seem to be on the rise in the Tshwane areas including Soshanguve, Garankuwa and Rietgat".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2011/02/25/cash-for-organs-is-no-joke |title=Cash for organs is no joke |date=25 February 2011 |work=sowetanlive.co.za |publisher=Sowetan Live and SAPA |access-date=3 July 2012}}</ref> That same month, African traditional healers and the Gauteng government convened at a seminar in Pretoria, South Africa to root out the "evil practice of mutilating human bodies for purposes of muti making."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Muti-killings-to-be-tackled-20100219 |title=Muti killings to be tackled |author=SAPA |date=19 February 2010 |work=news24.com |publisher=News24 |access-date=3 July 2012 |archive-date=18 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618153702/http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Muti-killings-to-be-tackled-20100219 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Traditional African religion|South Africa|Africa}}
*[[Traditional healers of South Africa]]
*[[Murder of Masego Kgomo]]
*[[Kidnapping in South Africa]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20020818195646/http://www.factnet.org/cults/Sangoma/?FACTNet "Sangoma / Muti / South African Traditional Healers / South African Witchdoctors" 9 June 2009]

{{Traditional Medicine}}

[[Category:Traditional African medicine]]
[[Category:Traditional medicine]]
[[Category:Zulu culture]]
[[Category:Zulu words and phrases]]
[[Category:South African English]]