Sutherlandia frutescens is a medicinal plant that has been used for centuries in South Africa to treat various diseases, particularly liver problems and certain cancers. The San bushmen know it as ‘pethora’, which translates as “it changes the course of an illness”, while the Sothola call it ‘motlepelo’ – “bringing back the heart”. Dutch settlers used it as an adaptogen, naming it “the cancer drink”.

• A genuine tonic, it helps the body mobilize its resources against disease. It is used locally in traditional medicine to treat cancer sufferers and those infected with HIV, helping them regain their appetite and put on weight. The South African biologist Nigel Gericke, who has been treating AIDS patients with Sutherlandia frutescens for 6 years, reported on an Arte programme that his patients were able to gain 5 to 6 kilos in a period of three months. It typically increases patients’ energy levels and capacity for exercise, while enhancing the feeling of wellbeing, thus improving their overall quality of life.
  Preliminary studies have recently been published which suggest that Sutherlandia frutescens may have anti-cancer effects in certain forms of cancer as well as immunostimulant properties. In particular, these studies show
• that L-canavanine, D-pinitol and GABA are the main active principles in the plant. Several patents registered in the USA claim that L-canavanine offers benefits in the treatment of various diseases and that it has anti-cancer and anti-viral properties. D-pinitol appears to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown in rat models to be effective against acute oedema and to be a useful treatment for cancer patients and those infected with HIV. It also has hypoglycemiant properties making it a promising option for the treatment of diabetes;
• A toxicity study conducted on Vervet monkeys has allowed the South African Department of Health to declare Sutherlandia frutescens extract non-toxic. This three-month study used doses three times higher than those commonly taken and examined over 50 variables involving blood chemistry, haematology, physiology and behaviour;
• Experimental studies on animals suggest analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemiant effects for Sutherlandia frutescens;
• Research on cell cultures suggests an antiproliferative effect on several human tumour cell lines as well as anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-HIV activity. However, Sutherlandia frutescens may also interact with anti-retroviral drugs, a possibility that needs to be investigated.

While the precise mechanisms of action of Sutherlandia frutescens have yet to be clearly established, existing studies show that it can inhibit inflammation, keep reactive oxygen species in check and improve hyperglycaemia in in vitro and in vivo tests.