Plant description: R. tomentosa is an evergreen herbaceous vine with ornamental kidney shaped leaves that have lobes along the margins, small creamy green flowers, and clusters of edible grape-like fruits that turn dark purple when ripe. Each fruit contains about three small pear-shaped seeds. This vine can be found growing in the forests and the banks of streams. It is distributed in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.  

Uses:

• In some cases, R. tomentosa is often used in place of umavumbuka.
• The edible fruits are used to make jelly, vinegar, and wine. 
• The leaves are used to make powder that is inhaled to cleanse the nasal passages and to treat chronic headaches.
• The roots are used for blood purification.
• The root decoction is used to treat skin infections such as acne. 
• The roots are used to make a decoction to treat isidina, the overproduction of sebum on the face especially around the nose area.
• The roots are an ingredient that is used to make inembe, a tonic taken by pregnant women to ensure a safe delivery.  
• The roots are also used to ensure safe delivery in animals.
• The roots are used to treat sterility in both humans and animals.  
• The roots are used to treat  bladder, kidney, and renal complaints.
• The roots are used to treat intestinal worms. 
• The roots are used as an emetic and as a steaming agent. 
• The roots are boiled in milk and the mixture is used as anthelmintic, to expel parasitic intestinal worms.
• This plant is used to hasten maturation in young girls by treating delayed menstruation. It is also used to treat dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia.
• The roots are used to generate sperm in boys.
• The roots are used to treat abdominal pains, stomach ache, and swelling.
• The roots are used to treat sores, cuts, broken bones, and sprained ankles.  
• The plant is used to treat epilepsy and convulsions.

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: 

• Boon, R. and Pooley, E., 2010. Pooley’s trees of eastern South Africa. Flora and Fauna Publications Trust.
• Foden, W. and Potter, L. 2005. Strychnos madagascariensis Poir. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/04/27
• Gerstner, J., 1938. A preliminary checklist Zulu names of plants with short notes. Bantu Studies.
• Gerstner, J., 1941. A preliminary checklist Zulu names of plants with short notes. Bantu Studies. 
• Hutchings, A. and van Staden, J., 1994. Plants used for stress-related ailments in traditional Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho medicine. Part 1: Plants used for headaches. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 43(2), pp.89-124.
• Mshengu, B., Uwumubyeyi, V. and Moodley, R., 2020. Chemical constituents from Rhoicissus digitata and Rhoicissus tomentosa and their chemotaxonomic significance. South African Journal of Botany, 135, pp. 87-91.
• Mhlongo, L.S., 2019. The Medicinal Ethnobotany of the Amandawe Area in KwaCele, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. University of Johannesburg (South Africa).
• Notten, A., 2004. Rhoicissus tomentosa (Lam.) Wild & RB Drumm.(= R. capensis) (Vitaceae).
• Nqolo, N.L., 2008. Phytochemical study of Rhoicissus tomentosa (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Western Cape).
• Pujol, J., 1990. Natur Africa: The Herbalist handbook. Lean Pujol Natural Healers Foundation, Durban.
• Van Wyk, B.E., Oudtshoorn, B.V. and Gericke, N., 1997. Medicinal Plants of South Africa. Briza.
• Watt, J.M., and Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G., 1962. Medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa, second edition. Livingstone, London.

You Can Order Your Copy Of The Book By Emailing: info@imithiyesintu.co.za

Feel Free To Add Other Uses Of This Plant In The Comment Section Below: