---

Ulimi-lwenkomo is scientifically known as Berkheya setifera. The genus name, Berkheya, was given in honour of Johannes le Francq van Berkhey, a Dutch artist and scientist. The genus, Berkheya, is found mainly in the southern regions of Africa and has roughly 75 species, of which 71 can be found in South Africa. The species name setifera means bristle-bearing and it describes the bristly hairs on the leaves.

Ulimi-lwenkomo is a grassland herb with a milky sap that grows up to 1,2 meters. It can be planted in between a heap of rocks, as a border plant in a garden, or as a pot plant.

Medicinal properties:

The leaves and roots are used as herbal traditional medicines to treat 28 human diseases which include abdominal pains, arthritis, blood circulation problems, colds, coughs, infertility, itching skin and rash, jaundice, kidney problem, stomach and uterus problems. This plant is able to treat all these ailments due to the antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and haemolysis activities. 

Uses:

Ulimi-lwenkomo is used in by the different southern Africa countries as follows:

• In South Africa, ulimi-lwenkomo is used to treat lymphatic filariasis (the severe swelling in the legs, arms, breast, and genitalia). It is also used to treat menstrual pains.

The menstrual pains that are treated with ulimi-lwenkomo are not the typical menstrual pains. These are menstrual pains that are caused by a spiritual imbalance or spiritual attack. It’s said that irhashu (or the puff adder spirit animal) is used by jealous men to cause menstrual pains or infertility in a woman that rejects their romantic advances. The symptoms are known as isilumo serhashu (or the period pains caused by the puff adder). The roots of ulimi-lwenkomo are used to kill the puff adder spirit animal that is believed to have grown inside the woman’s womb.

• In Lesotho, this plant is known as leleme la khomo and it is used to treat sores, ulcers, herpes, jaundice, liver infection, respiratory infections, and infertility. It is also used to detox or cleanse the blood, treat complications associated with pregnancy and the decongested breasts of a young mother, and to help reduce mother to child HIV transmission. The antimicrobial activity in ulimi-lwenkomo is what makes it effective for fighting against sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria. 
• In Swaziland, ulimi-lwenkomo is used to treat acute otitis media (or the middle ear infection), boils, burns, toothache, fever and malaria.

The above-mentioned uses are for the individual countries, but these countries also have some of the uses in common. For example:  

• In Lesotho and South Africa, ulimi-lwenkomo is used to treat abdominal pains, arthritis, problems with blood circulation, blood detoxification, colds, coughs, and jaundice.
• In both Lesotho and Swaziland, ulimi-lwenkomo is used to treat itching skin and rash, kidney and uterus problems.
• In Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland the leaves and roots are used to treat stomach problems and infertility. The leaves are also be used to treat coughs and diarrhea in children.

Preparations:

Ulimi lwenkomo can be prepared in the following ways:

• The roots of ulimi-lwenkomo are mixed with those of inyongwane (Dicoma anomala) in a decoction. The strained liquid is taken orally to treat biliousness, jaundice, and liver problems.
• The leaves and roots of ulimi-lwenkomo are mixed with the roots of lenkonyane in a decoction. The strained liquid is taken orally to treat female infertility.
• The leaves and roots are ground to powder, mixed with animal fat, and applied on the skin as lotion to treat skin disease such as wounds and herpes. 
• The roots are boiled. The decoction is strained and consumed to treat coughs and colds.
• The roots and leaves of ulimi-lwenkomo are mixed with senyarela (Ajuga phrydis) in a decoction. The strained liquid is taken orally to treat fibroids in the womb and to regulate menstrual cycles.
• The roots of ulimi-lwenkomo are mixed with the roots of senyarela and khamane (Rumex lanceolatus) in a decoction. The strained liquid is taken to treat menstrual pains or to kill the puff adder spirit animal that is growing inside the woman’s womb.
• The roots are used to make a cleansing tonic, to remove toxins from the blood.
• The leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetables. 

---