When a “Healing Herb” Turns Harmful – The Surprising Science of Lessertia (Sutherlandia) frutescens
Most of us know Lessertia (formerly Sutherlandia) frutescens (cancer bush) as a champion of traditional medicine – a stress reliever, immune booster, and symbol of African herbal wisdom.
It is even officially recommended for people living with HIV in parts of Southern Africa.
But research has revealed something few expected: in certain HIV-related brain inflammation scenarios, Lessertia may make things worse.
#HIVResearch #Neuroinflammation #Sutherlandia #AfricanBotanicals #TraditionalMedicine #IntegrativeHealth #Phytotherapy #Neuroscience #HIVAwareness #MedicinalPlants #BioactiveCompounds #PlantScience #HealthcareInnovation #EvidenceBasedMedicine
Lessertia frutescens, also known as “cancer bush,” is one of the most celebrated traditional medicines in Southern Africa. From teas to capsules, it is praised for its stress-reducing, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting properties.
It is even endorsed by the Ministries of Health in several African countries for use in people living with HIV, often before antiretroviral therapy is available.
But what if, in some contexts, it is doing the opposite of what we hope?
A study put L. frutescens to the test – not in a general wellness setting, but in the specific and complex environment of HIV-associated neuroinflammation, a major driver of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
Using a sophisticated in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and HIV proteins, researchers investigated whether L. frutescens could help reduce the inflammation that allows immune cells to infiltrate the brain.
The results? Surprising.
- It reduced one key inflammatory marker (IL-1β) under certain conditions.
- But it increased another major inflammatory player (MCP-1) in the presence of HIV proteins – a chemokine that draws monocytes into the brain.
- It actually increased the migration of monocytes across the BBB in response to HIV proteins – potentially worsening neuroinflammation.
What does this mean?
In HIV, monocyte infiltration into the brain is a critical step in setting up a viral reservoir and triggering the inflammation that damages neurons. Treatments that aggravate this process could, over time, contribute to the very neurocognitive decline they are intended to prevent.
The takeaway is not that Lessertia is bad – it still shows promise for stress reduction, muscle preservation, and other uses. But this research highlights that context is everything. An herb that is helpful in one physiological setting may be harmful in another.
For those working in traditional medicine, phytotherapy, or HIV care, this is a reminder: rigorous, targeted research is essential before recommending botanicals for complex diseases.
African medicinal plants hold extraordinary potential – but also complex bioactivity.
Respecting that complexity means using science not only to find their powers, but also their limits.
Because true respect for traditional medicine means making sure it helps – and never unintentionally harms – the people who trust it.
Reference
Africa LD., & Smith C. (2015). Sutherlandia frutescens may exacerbate HIV-associated neuroinflammation. J Negat Results Biomed, 18 (14):14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12952-015-0031-y