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The health care system in African countries is widely based on the natural world of herbs and medicinal plants. A vast traditional knowledge that has been accumulated for centuries are transmitted through generations. Southern Africa is reputed to be the store house of 10 percent of the world’s plant species. But knowledge about them unearthed or substantiated with scientific research has been few. Fewer have been commercialized. But initiatives in research, publication of their results and application for patents have seen an increase in recent years.

The local markets sell these medicinal plants to the local inhabitants for their use in health care. These markets are part of the informal economy. However, with increasing demand from industries locally and for exports, the plants are getting commercialized becoming part of the formal economy. The products too are marketed professionally. There is an increase in their demand. Exports of select medicinal plants are increasing along with the popularity that natural remedies are attaining worldwide. Some of these medicinal plants are the main raw materials for production of various products in the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical industries. Quite often the products are based on the use or application of the traditional folk knowledge from the African countries. This knowledge are increasingly getting documented and subjected to scientific research. The tribes of Africa are considered to be the main repository of the knowledge which is referred to as traditional knowledge or indigenous knowledge or folklore medicines.

The traditional plant knowledge of southern African people is a source for the development of products. There is a rise in research activities. The recent trend indicates that there is a rush for documenting such knowledge. These ethno-medicinals are marketed globally. Hoodia gordonii is a tender plant from the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa that has grabbed global attention. This has become popular as an appetite suppressant. It is marketed in many forms such as pills, capsules, and shakes. The pure Hoodia gordonii liquid is said to be more powerful than the pills and capsules.

The increasing global market for these products based on medicinal plants from African countries also improves the prospects of export earnings. This could contribute to rise of income levels of the poor in these countries. But the increased collection of these medicinal plants also could lead to the risk of overexploitation of these plants in their natural habitats. To make it sustainable, scientific extraction methods and conservation management practices are to be adopted.

It became known that the San Bushmen have been using Hoodia Gordonii for centuries. They found a number of uses of the plant of which one was that its consumption suppressed hunger. They used to go hunting into the Kalahari Desert lasting several days. Hoodia helped them to suppress hunger during the period. It was the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that successfully isolated P57, the active ingredient that suppresses hunger. P57 was patented by CSIR in 1996. They also recognized the San people as the originators of this knowledge. This makes the San Bushmen eligible for a share in the profit from commercialization of their traditional knowledge.

Obesity is indeed a modern phenomenon. It was unheard of in ancient times. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 400 million are afflicted by obesity. The number is so huge that WHO officially declared it to be a global epidemic. Obesity, it is well recognized, is a preventable ill health condition caused due to wrong food habits and a sedentary lifestyle. In some cases genetic cause and mental illness can also lead to obesity. There are many ways that obesity can be addressed. There are a variety of weight loss programs in the market. There are also drugs and dietary supplement in the market. There is surgical intervention for obesity.

Hoodia Gordonii grows 1 meter high. It is a flowering plant. Khoba, Xhooba and Ghaap are the local names given to it. Hoodia is found to grow naturally in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. Hoodia is available in the form of capsules, tablets, syrup and drinks. There are a number of hoodia shakes such as the Hoodia Gordonii Shake Mix which contains 16 vitamins and minerals besides protein and fat. This is to be taken with milk or water.

The increasing market for Hoodia Gordonii led to its being indiscriminately collected and traded. This led to a situation where the plant might have to be listed as an endangered species if its collection and trade are not strictly regulated and controlled. As required under such a situation, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed the plant in its list. All export of Hoodia Gordonii from Africa requires CITES certification. It also means that all certified exports are genuine Hoodia Gordonii.