BULBINE sp
Carpobrotus sp
COTYLEDON orbiculata
ALOE ferox
HYPOXIS sp
Ptaeroxylon obliquum
AGAPANTHUS sp
Grewia occidentalis
The leaves are filled with a clear gel similar in appearance and consistency to Aloe vera. The fresh gel from Bulbine species is widely used for burns, wounds, cuts, abrasions, stings, rashes and boils. It is useful for eczema, cracked lips and herpes and some commercial shampoos include it as a moisturiser.
Bulbine frutescens: cracked lips, skin complaints, to stop bleeding, as an antidote to poison and to treat sick livestock.
Bulbine natalensis: skin ailments, vomiting, diarrhoea, urinary complaints, rheumatism and as a charm
Bulbine narcissifolia: to induce pregnancy in barren women and cows. Proliferation of this plant indicates overgrazing in some areas.
Bulbinella latifolia: the roots used to obtain a red dye
(Info from"People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Nigel Gericke ISBN 187509319-2)
Sour Fig (English); Suurvy (Afrikaans); Moriana-wa-ditseba (Sotho); Ikhambilamabilawo (Zulu)
South Africa the leaf and fruit are used for heart conditions and said to contain the alkaloid mesembrine. The fruits are commonly eaten and are preferred in a dry state.
The leaf juice makes a very good analgesic for Blue Bottle stings and it grows conveniently on coastal dunes. It has also been used in dysentery, as a diuretic. It is astringent, containing malic and citric acids and their calcium salts. It has also been made into a lotion for burns and scalds. I personally have used it for the treatment of a spider bite.
Carpobrotus edulis is used for the above as well as for the treatment of eye infections and nappy rash.
(Info from"People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Nigel Gericke ISBN 187509319-2 and Discovering Indigenous Healing Plants of the Herb and Fragrance Gardens at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens by Alex Dyson)
Pig's Ear (English); Plakie, Varkoor (Afrikaans); Iphewula (Xhosa) Seredile (Sotho); Intelezi (Zulu)
The physician C. Pappe wrote a remarkable book, Indigenous plants used as remedies by the Colonists of the Cape of Good Hope in 1847. Among the plants he listed was Cotyledon orbiculata, which was used in the treatment of epilepsy. This was confirmed recently by an enlightened medical practitioner.
Many South Africans apply the fleshy part of the leaf to soften and remove hard corns and warts. The warmed leaf juice is used as drops for earache and toothache. It may also be applied in the form of a hot poultice to treat boils, earache or inflammation. The leaves are particularly useful for the removal of planters warts.
The Southern Sotho use a dried leaf as a protective charm for an orphan child and also as a plaything as well as to cure many diseases.
Note that internal use is dangerous and potentially lethal and the toxicity is affected by moisture content of the leaves.
(Info from"People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Nigel Gericke ISBN 187509319-2 and Discovering Indigenous Healing Plants of the Herb and Fragrance Gardens at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens by Alex Dyson)
Bitter aloe, Red aloe (English); Aalwyn' kanniedood, bitteraalwyn, lapaalwyn (Afrikaans); Umhlaba (Xhosa); Lekxala-la-quthing (Sotho); Umhlaba (Zulu)
Aloe ferox is one of the few recognisable plant species to be found in San rock paintings in South Africa and early European travellers documented the use of the plant by the Khoi. Tonics from Aloe ferox are the juices and gel derived from the ranslucent, fleshy inner section of the leaf, harvested fresh and processed after the bitter fraction has been removed.The bitter yellow juice which exudes from just below the surface of the leaf is dried by an age-old method to form a dark brown resinous solid known commercially as Cape aloes. This is still an important commercial laxative medicine. The larger part of the annual production is exported but substantial quantities are marketed and used locally. The popular selfcare remedies "Lewensessens" and Schweden bitters" contain Cape aloes. This is still an important commercial laxative medicine. Mixed with vaseline, powdered Cape aloes is applied topically to herpes and shingles, and the fresh bitter fraction is applied directly to the conjunctiva for conjunctivitis and sinusitis.
Cape aloes should not be confused with aloe gel which originates from the fleshy part of the leaf. Aloe gel is a watery mixture of pectic substances, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, organic acids and various minor compounds. It is used in hair and skin products. At this stage although there are anecdotal reports of beneficial effects in patients with serious health conditions, Aloe ferox gel and juice products should be considered general health tonics until clinical research has formally established efficacy. Aloe ferox leaf gel has a long history as a food I South Africa in the form of konfyt or preserve and is enjoyed on farms to this day.
Split or crushed leaves are applied directly onto open wounds, sores, burns and ulcers and have an excellent reputation for healing. They are also used to treat sores and injuries in livestock. The dry, powdered bitter fraction is sometimes applied as a dusting powder to open wounds and is also taken orally in small doses as a "blood purifier" in cases of acne. It is also used to dress traditional scarifications as well as the treatment of venereal ulcers. Commercial preparations of the gel have been reported to heal certain leg ulcers and improve cases of eczema as well as giver significant relief to acute sunburn.
A mixture of aloe ash and soap was once popular amongst young Swazi men as a hair bleach and in earlier times, Cape aloe bitters was powdered and rubbed into the face as a skin lightener.
Aloe aborescens: KRANZ Aloe has been widely used the world over for the treatment of burns and wounds. Nuclear irradiation burn victims from the atomic explosion at Hiroshima were treated with Aloe aborescens. Extracts of the leaves have been found to have wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antibacterial, anti-cancer and anti- diabetic effects.
Spotted aloes are used for dyes colours varying from reddish-brown top purplish-red, delicate pink to royal purple and also yellow.
(Info from"People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Nigel Gericke ISBN 187509319-2, Discovering Indigenous Healing Plants of the Herb and Fragrance Gardens at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens by Alex Dyson and Medicinal Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn and Nigel Gericke ISBN1-875093-09-5)
African Potato (English); Inkomfe (Zulu)
Hypoxis species are tuberous perennials with strap-like leaves and yellow star-shaped flowers. The medicinal part is the tuberous rootstock (corm) which is brownish-black on the outside and yellow when freshly cut
Weak infusions and decoctions of the corm are used as convalescent and strengthening tonics in adults and children with wasting diseases including cancer and tuberculosis. These tonics are used traditionally 3 times daily for periods of up to a month. Hypoxis has been used traditionally for benign prostatic hypertrophy, urinary tract infections and testicular tumours and as a laxative and vermituge. They are also used to treat anxiety, palpitations and depression. There are anecdotal reports that fresh plant tinctures are helpful in rheumatoid arthritis. Ingestion of Hypoxis colchicifolia has been reported to cause delirium, and has also been used to treat delirium. (Watt & Breyer- Brandwijk 1962). The juice has also been applied to burns.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that Hypoxis has anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory activity, but formal clinical studies are necessary to determine if the plant has any benefit for potentially life-threatening diseases.
(Info from"People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Nigel Gericke ISBN 187509319-2, and Medicinal Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn and Nigel Gericke ISBN1-875093-09-5)
Sneezewood (English); nieshout (Afrikaans); umthathe (Xhosa) National tree list no: 292 Sneezewood is protected in South Africa
Sneezewood varies in size from a shrub to a large tree of about 15 to 20 metres in height. Male and female flowers occur on different trees. They are small, pale yellow and are borne in dense clusters often resulting in a beautiful sight when the tree is in full flower. The neat crown, dark and glossy green leaves turning yellow to reddish in autumn makes this tree a rewarding and worthwhile garden subject. The small, neat crown together with the non-invasive root system makes this tree ideal for the small garden.
Widely used as a general purpose timber but makes very durable furniture. In the early 1900 this was regarded as one of the best woods for making benches and chairs. Sneezewood is very much in demand for furniture nowadays. Beams of this wood are still in use after installation 200 years ago.
Sneezewood bearings used by farmers in the early 20th century lasted nearly as long as metal bearings.Wood was once cut by the tons for railway sleepers and nowadays incorrectly called "Yellow Jarra" by furniture manufacturers. It is still a popular wood
with stock-farmers as they use it for almost indestructible fence poles. Young shoots are grazed by giraffe, nyala, kudu, impala and duiker.
This is the food plant for the larva of the citrus swallowtail butterfly (Princeps demodocus demodocus). At certain times of the year masses of larvae defoliate the trees.
Snuff made from the bark and wood is used to treat headaches and sinusitis. To remove warts in humans and cattle, resin collected from the heated wood is placed on the warts until they disappear. Pieces of wood are still placed in cupboards to repel moths and other insects. This insect-repelling property made it a popular wood for bedsteads.The bark is used for the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis. Infusions of the powdered wood are taken for the treatment of rheumatism and heart disease.
Sneezing can be caused by highly irritant substances in the wood. The wood is easily recognised by the distinctive peppery smell.
In Mozambique the Chapi people have a great reputation of timbila - xylophone making and sneezewood is their most important timber for making the keys. The wooden keys
are baked in an oven at high temperatures for a few hours. On removal from the heat, the wood is almost flexible, but it soon hardens with an almost metallic resonance. The longer it is baked, the better the sound and each key is worked independently.
The town of Umthathe, (old name Umtata) in the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape is named after this tree.
(Info from"People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Nigel Gericke ISBN 187509319-2, Medicinal Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn and Nigel Gericke ISBN1-875093-09-5
and Making the Most of Indigenous Trees by Fanie and Julye-Ann Venter ISBN 1 875093 05 2)
African Lily, blue lily (English); Haaklelie, bloulelie (Afrikaans); Isilakati (Xhosa); Leta-la-phofu (Sotho);
Icakathi, ubani, umhlambezo (Zulu)
Agapanthus can be easily recognised by the cluster of flowers on long stalks, and by the long strap-like leaves. The plants have thick tuberous rhizomes, and are popular garden subjects. They are widely used as medicines.
A decoction of rhizomes and roots is used on its own or in a mixture known as isihlambezo. This preparation is given as an antenatal medicine and is mildly laxative and uterotonic.
Agapanthus is also believed to assist in the functioning of the kidneys. An infusion of the root is taken as a ritual emetic for coughs and chest and heart conditions.
Some South Africans, especially Xhosa women, wear a necklace of the roots which they believe have magical properties that will bring them healthy, strong babies.
Many African communities use Agapanthus as a poultice and to reduce inflammation, muscle spasm and cramp, they add the shaved bark of Cussonia spicata (cabbage tree) to fresh Agapanthus leaves and bind this to the affected area.
(Info from"People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Nigel Gericke ISBN 187509319-2, Medicinal Plants of Southern Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn and Nigel Gericke ISBN1-875093-09-5)
Cross-berry (English), Kruisbessie (Afrikaans), iLalanyathi (Zulu) Name derivation: Grewia = named after Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) and English physician, and
occidentalis = west.
An evergreen to semi-deciduous tree that can grow up to 10m tall, usually with an open but somewhat tangled crown with a spread of up to 5m.
The cross-berry can be planted as protection for birds and insects. It takes pruning well and can be used very effectively in a shrubbery giving a delightful display of glossy leaves and mauve flowers. It flowers throughout the year with a peak during spring and early summer. The root system is not aggressive and it therefore can be planted close to structures. A must in the garden to attract birds and butterflies.
Ripe fruits are eaten by various birds (Knysna louries, speckled mousebirds, black-eyed and Cape bulbuls and barbels). Instar larvae of the rufous-winged elfin butterfly (Eagris nottoana) and buff-tipped skipper butterfly (Netrobalane canopus) live on the leaves of this tree.
The leaves are browsed by cattle, goats and game. The ripe fruits are eagerly eaten by humans who enjoy its sweet fruity taste. Dried fruits are sometimes boiled in milk. Beer is brewed from the ripe fruit in some areas.
Bruised bark soaked in hot water is used for dressing wounds. Assegai handles and walking sticks are made from the branches of this tree in the Eastern Cape.
(Making the Most of Indigenous Trees by Fanie and Julye-Ann Venter ISBN 1 875093 05 2)