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Click on the following headings to go to the appropriate paragraph:
Vascular Problems: Ithethe (Polygela
oppositifolia)
| This is a large bushy shrub that grows along the
KwaZulu-Natal coast and has pink flowers. The roots are used in muti. |
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Vomiting: Ilabatheka (Liliacea lancifolium Spp,
Wild)
| This grows in well drained soil around South
Africa. It has a bright yellow tuber which immediately turns black after cutting. It is
taken as a tea (two or three pieces are boiled in water, covered for about two minutes and
then taken one third of a cup at a time). |
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Nausea:
Unhlizyoomkulu (Dombeya Rotundifolia)
| This is a deciduous tropical tree. The bark is
boiled and left to steep for a while and then taken as a tea (one small cup at a time). It
is principally used for pregnant women who feel abnormal nausea. |
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Indigestion: Umondi (Chlorocodon whitlik hook F)
| This is a perennial shrub related to the
leguminous plant Liquorice (it is also sweet smelling). The Zulus use the root and bark of
the branches. The outer layer of the root is peeled off and ground to form a powder. This
is then placed on the hand and licked up, thereafter water is taken to wash it down. |
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Muscular Cramps: Umkhondweni (Cryptocarya
latifolia sond)
| This is a coastal species of the sweet-smelling
milkwood tree. The bark is ground into a fine powder and boiled in water. Two cups per day
are taken to relieve cramps. The bark can also be made into a decoction and used in the
form of enema to treat the urinary system, spasms of the uterus and menstrual pain. |
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Stomach Ulcers: Umtombothi (Spirostachys
africana sond)
| This is a fruit-bearing tree with rough, almost
black bark. The bark is powdered and boiled in water for about 10 minutes (one tablespoon
per litre). It is then strained and returned to the boil with two tablespoons of maize or
oat meal until a thin milk is obtained. Three cups per day between meals and with no other
liquid is recommended. |
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Insect Bites: Intebe (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
This is an aquatic
plant related to the Arum Lily which grows wild in swampy ground all over South Africa.
The leaves are used to treat insect bites and stings from bees by being cooked first to
remove the toxicity and the leaves are then peeled off and applied directly to the skin. |
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Congestion: Ibohlololo (Senecia Cinararia, Wild)
| This is a low growing succulent plant with
green-grey leaves rising from horizontal stems with a daisy-like flower. For chest
congestion the plant is soaked in hot water and drunk twice a day as a tea (no more than
one third of a cup at a time). |
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Coughing and fever: Imphahla (Brachyleana
discolor J.D.)
| This is an evergreen bush shrub resembling the
Christmas holly. The bark and leaves are boiled in water to make a decoction and taken as
an injection, enema or drunk three times daily in small quantities. It creates a dilation
of the lungs and acts as a decongestant as it opens the alveoli of the lungs and restores
normal breathing. |
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Asthma: Umhlaba (Agave spp)
This is a succulent
plant with long pointed leaves with spikes along their edges. The young shoots are boiled
in water for ten minutes before being strained and used in conjunction with any kind of
brandy. A small glass is taken twice a day to open the lungs and calm the asthma attack.
As the plant has a strong bite, the brandy makes it palatable. |
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Infected Wounds: Umushlwa (Ikhowa mushroom)
| This is a small white mushroom that grows
predominantly on top of high ant heaps or umushlwa. It is applied externally as a
poultice (usually mixed with the bark of the inshlute tree (Protorhus
longifolia). |
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Diarrhoea: Umathungulu (Inhambanella
henriquesii)
| This is a thorny evergreen shrub with shiny
leathery leaves and a milky sap. The Zulus use the
edible red fruit (that resemble prunes) due to their binding power and astringent
properties. The fruit is eaten raw after the roots have been made into a fine powder and
cooked. The solution is then taken as a tea twice a day. |
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Arthritis:
Uboqho (Turbina oblongata)
| This is a ground creeper which resembles ivy and
produces yellow flowers in spring. The Zulus use the roots in a powder of which one
teaspoon is boiled in water for ten minutes. The solution is strained and one tablespoon
is taken three times a day. The leaves pounded in warm water can be used as a poultice on
swollen joints, sores and abscesses. Modern izinyanga prescribe Uboqho leaves internally
to treat gout and rheumatism. |
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Headaches: Ikhalimele (Rhynchosia. Spp)
| This is an ivy-like creeper with light-green
triangular leaves. The stems and leaves can be used to treat headaches, migraine and
menstrual pain. It is also used in facial sauna to treat skin lesions and the water
solution of the leaves dropped into the eyes as a remedy redness and inflammation. |
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