Image: Madison Oren on Unsplash

A team of researchers at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), in collaboration with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), has developed a natural extract from the indigenous Wild Dagga plant that could offer a new way to manage anxiety and depression.

Known scientifically as Leonotis leonurus, Wild Dagga – also called Lion’s Tail or Wild Cannabis – has long been used in traditional African medicine to treat various ailments. Now, UWC’s School of Pharmacy, working alongside CPUT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, is turning this traditional knowledge into a modern solution for mental health. The research team, led by Professors Samuel Egieyeh and Kene Obikeze in Pharmacy at UWC, along with Professor Tunde Ojumu at CPUT, have created a standardised extract enriched with polyphenols, natural compounds found in plants known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

These properties are essential because inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to play a role in mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Leonotis leonurus, Wild Dagga - also called Lion’s Tail or Wild Cannabis. Image: Pexels, David Levenson.

“By combining traditional wisdom with modern science, we’re exploring how this plant can support emotional well-being,” said Prof Obikeze.

“The extract contains several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and diterpenoids, which have shown potential to protect brain cells and reduce stress-related damage in early laboratory studies. While most of the current evidence comes from animal studies and lab tests, the results are encouraging.”

He explained that Wild Dagga has traditionally been used to treat respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and skin infections. Its potential mental health benefits are a newer area of study, but researchers believe the plant’s natural compounds could help regulate mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

As interest in natural and holistic health solutions grows, the UWC and CPUT team hopes their work will lead to a safe, accessible supplement for people seeking alternatives to pharmaceutical medications. Clinical trials in humans are still needed to confirm the extract’s effectiveness, but the early findings are promising.

• This research was first featured in UWC Innovation for Sustainability, a publication aimed at turning academic research into practical solutions for real-world challenges under the editorship of the DVC: Research and Innovation, Prof Jose Frantz.