Mosukujane and Zumbani are caffeine-free herbal teas popular in Southern Africa. Mosukujane is a brand traded in Botswana and Zumbani in Zimbabwe. Both teas are made from Lippia javanica, a herb that grows up to 5 m in height. The herb has small cream flowers with pungent leaves that give off a citrus aroma when crushed. L. javanica is widespread across southern, eastern, and central Africa and can be found growing along forest margins, the open bushveld, grassy hillsides, and stream banks. It is inordinately adaptable, growing in almost every type of environment. 

How are they made and sold?

Mosukujane and Zumbani teas is made using the aromatic leaves of L. javanica. The leaves have an abundance of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. They also have a significantly high phenolic content with compounds containing antibiotic, antiallergic, anticancer, anthelmintic, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory activities. Mosukujane tea is advertised as being rich in Vitamin C.

Mosukujane tea

In Botswane, the herbal tea is sold as tea bags. An example is a 40g Mosukujane herbal tea contains 20 tea bags.  The tea is also sold as flavoured Ice tea. An example is bottled Apple-cinnamon flavoured Ice tea. Mosukujane tea is often confused with Musukudu tea, however Musukudu tea is made from the L. scaberrima, rather than L. javanica

Zumbani tea

In Zimbabwe, the tea is sold as leaves that are dried and ground to powder as well as fresh leaves. The powder and fresh leaves are sold in different quantities. The Zumbani herbal tea brand, sells its flavoured tea bags in lime green packaging. An example is the Honey flavoured Zumbani herbal tea with 25 tea bags.

The uses

The teas are consumed for nutritional, recreational, and medicinal purposes: 

L. javanica leaves are used to treat the following: 

• The leaves are used to treat colds, cough, bronchitis, chest pains, asthma, and fever
• The anthelmintic property allows the leaves to be used to manage parasitic intestinal worms
• The leaves are used as a general herbal tonic
• They are also used to treat wounds, diarrhoea, and malaria

Mosukujane herbal tea is advertised as having the following benefits:

• It is a detoxifying tonic
• It helps control high blood pressure and diabetes
• It treats colds, cough, fever, bronchitis and asthma
• It stimulates metabolism

Zumbani herbal tea is advertised as having following benefits:

• It relieves colds, influenza, and bronchial coughs
• It treats cough symptoms due to Covid infection
• It reduces fever and anti-inflammatory 
• It relieves asthma symptoms
• It relieves headaches
• It treats dysentery and diarrhoea
• It is good for skin rashes

How is the tea prepared?

The infusion

To prepare tea using leaves – Boil water and pour it in a cup. Steep the leaves in the cup for a few minutes. Strain the mixture. Add sugar or honey to the liquid for flavour and drink while hot. 

To prepare tea using tea bags – Boil water and pour it in a cup. Soak a tea bag in the cup. Add sugar or honey for flavour. Remove the tea bag and drink while hot.

To prepare tea using the powder – Boil water and pour it in a cup. Add 1 teaspoon of the powder in the cup. Add sugar or honey for flavour and drink while hot. 

The decoction 

To prepare tea using leaves – Boil water with the leaves. Strain the liquid into a cup. Add sugar or honey to the liquid for flavour and drink while hot. 

To prepare tea using tea bags – Boil water with tea bags. Pour the liquid in a cup without the tea bags. Add sugar or honey for flavour. Remove the tea bag and drink while hot.

To prepare tea using the powder – Boil water with a few spoons of the powder. Strain the liquid into a cup. Add sugar or honey for flavour and drink while hot. 

South Africa currently does not have any herbal tea products made from L. javanica. Besides being used to make herbal tea, the herb can also be used to treat respiratory problems (such as colds, cough, chest pains, bronchitis, and asthma), gastrointestinal infections (such as diarrhoea and dysentery), headaches, fever, malaria, sores, wounds, injuries, pain, and skin Infections. It is used as an insect repellent and to treat ethnoveterinary infections. It is also used spiritually to treat the symptoms of umeqo and to protect against lightning.

L. javanica is used to make refreshing indigenous herbal tea taken for nutritional, recreational, and medicinal purposes. L. javanica herbal tea is a great business opportunity for anyone looking to start a business selling herbal products.

Learn about other herbal-based products such as Hibiscus tea, Vimbela, Henna, and Sejeso, by accessing the article on Hibiscus tea, Vimbela, Henna, and Sejeso.

Safety precaution

The use of traditional medicine in prescribed dosages will yield good results. Misuse and abuse may lead to complications. To learn about correct dosage, consult a traditional healer or a herbalist. You can also visit imithiyesintu.co.za or email: info@imithiyesintu.co.za to learn more about traditional medicine.