The main vision of the Medicinal Plant Science Programme's research is to use medicinal plants for the benefit of its people. The programme investigates the medicinal plants for Tuberculosis, Cancer, and skin-related diseases. Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of the plants are also evaluated.

The aim therefore, is not only the isolation and purification of pharmacologically relevant phytochemicals as new lead compounds, but also the investigation of complex extracts and semi-pure fractions to use in the medicinal plant industry related to the primary health care of people. Professor Lall works closely with industry partners as well as traditional health practitioners for the commercialisation of new plant-based herbal products. Bioprospecting, the ethical issues, intellectual property rights and benefit-sharing related to this process are some of the tasks of high priority.

View the latest books edited by Prof Lall: 

Medicinal Plants for Holistic Health and Wellbeing 2017. (ISBN: 9780128124758)

Aquatic Plants: Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Applications 2020. (ISBN: 9780367518462)

Underexplored potentially therapeutic plants from Sub-Saharan Africa 2020. (ISBN: 9780128168141)

Read: Medicinal Plants in the Spotlight & the launch of the APSS by the Mail & Guardian - Nov 22

Read: An overview of the Book Launch - Medicinal Plants for Cosmetics, Health and Diseases