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Our work > Malawi's Cultivation of Aphrodisiac
Malawi's Cultivation of AphrodisiacGondolosi (Chlorocodon asclepiadaceae or Mondia whytei) is a robust woody creeper whose root infusion is popularly used as an aphrodisiac in Malawi. Apart from being used as an aphrodisiac traditional healers use it to treat constipation, anorexia, bilharzias, stress and tension. However, because of high demand for it, and the high prices it can command, the plant is now being over used and over harvested. To combat this, the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi (NHBG) has joined forces with traditional healers and various stakeholders in a bid to persuade them to conserve this wonder plant to prevent it from being extinct. It has demonstration gardens where trees that seem to be threatened are raised. In addition, the institution conducted research a couple of years ago in Zomba, Mwanza and Mulanje to assess local knowledge on the use of Mondia whytei and how it can be propagated. Currently the organisation is now able to raise seedlings which are sold to local people. Source: Msasa, 2006. African Botanic Gardens NetworkThe African Botanic Gardens Network promotes and supports the work of botanical gardens and associated institutions through education, conservation and sustainable use of plants for development, poverty alleviation and halting biodiversity loss. Find Out MoreLinking Farmers with Markets |
The Commercial Use of Biodiversity
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