Family: Anarcardiaceae

Scientific name: Sclerocarya birrea

Authority: (A.Rich.) Hochst

Synonyms: Poupartia birrea (A. Rich.) Aubrév, Spondias birrea (A. Rich.)

Zulu names: umganu, umgane, umaganikhehla

Other names: marula (English), maroela (Afrikaans)

Plant description: S.birrea is a medium-sized tree with alternate and compound leaves, reddish flowers with a raceme inflorescence, and edible one-seeded drupe fruits that turn yellow when ripe. The tree is a protected species that occurs in the miombo woodlands and grasslands of Southern Africa.

Uses:

The plant name comes from the word “ukugana”, which means to get married. Hence the bark is used to make an emetic in mixtures for a person who is getting married.
The edible fruits are used to make alcoholic beverages.
The plant is used to make essential oils that are used to moisturise the skin. The edible oil is used as a dietary supplement by San people.
The inner bark is boiled and applied as a poultice on skin damage, sun burns, ulcers, and smallpox.
The inner bark is used to treat headaches and toothache.
The bark infusion is taken as a tea to strengthen the heart, or as blood-cleansing emetics before marriage.
The bark is used to make an infusion that is administered orally and or as enema to treat stomach ache.
The bark is used to make a decoction that is administered as enema to treat proctitis and diarrhoea, fever and malaria, and gonorrhoea.
The bark is used to influence the sex of the expected child. The bark taken from the male or female tree gives birth in the birth of a child of the same sex.
The bark is used to treat backache and infertility.
The plant decoction is used as a bathing agent to wash patients with gangrenous rectitis. Traditional healers use the bathing agent before consulting with patients.
The bark is used as a steaming agent to treat pain, such as painful shoulders.
The plant is used as an emetic love charm.

Safety precaution:

Using traditional medicine responsibly can enhance your overall health and well-being. Misuse and abuse can lead to complications. You can inquire about the correct use of traditional medicine from a knowledgeable herbalist and practitioner. You can also visit imithiyesintu.co.za or email: info@imithiyesintu.co.za to learn more about traditional medicine

References and further reading:

Amusan, O.O.G., Dlamini, P.S., Msonthi, J.D., Makhubu, L.P., 2002. Some herbal remedies from Manzini region of Swaziland. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 79, pp. 109–112.
Bryant, A.T., 1966. Zulu medicine and medicine men. C. Struik, Cape Town (originally published in 1909 in the Annals of Natal Museum).
Gerstner, J., 1939. A preliminary checklist Zulu names of plants with short notes. Bantu Studies.
Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G., and Cunningham, A., 1996. Zulu medicinal plants. Natal University Press, Pietermaritzburg.
Mokoka, T.A., McGaw, L.J., Mdee, L.K., Bagla, V.P., Iwalewa, E.O., and Eloff, J.N., 2013. Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of triterpenes isolated from leaves of Maytenus undata (Celastraceae). BMC complementary and alternative medicine 13(1), pp.111.
Mthethwa, N.S., 2009. Antimicrobial activity testing of traditionally used plants for treating wounds and sores at Ongoye area KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Doctoral dissertation).
Mtshali, C.S., 1994. An investigation of environmental knowledge among two rural Black communities in Natal (Doctoral dissertation, Rhodes University).
Pujol, J., 1990. Natur Africa: The Herbalist handbook. Lean Pujol Natural Healers Foundation, Durban.
Roberts, M., 1990. Indigenous healing plants. Southern Book Publishers, Halfway House.