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Umdlavuza

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Family name: Myrtaceae

Scientific name: Eucalyptus sideroxylon

Authority: A. Cunn. ex Woolls

Zulu names: umdlavuza, umgamthrini


Short description: E. sideroxylon is a small to medium-sized tree that is native to Australia and naturalised in South Africa. It has lance-shaped green leaves, flowers whose colors vary from creamy to yellow, white, red, and pink, and fruits in the form of cup-shaped capsules.

Meaning

The Zulu name “umdlavuza” means “cancer”.

The plant gets the name umdlavuza because it is used in the treatment of cancer.


Related uses: The bark is cooked and 250ml of the decoction is administered orally two times a day to cancer patients. The decoction of the pounded bark is also used in the treatment of wounds and venereal diseases.


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