Rossmin with the inyangas

Rossmin with the inyangas

2022/05/21

The Pondoland CREW (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers) describe their weekly botanical field trips in and around the Pondoland Centre of Endemism:

We set off to Rossmin in the Umtentweni vicinity where we were to meet up with Sarah who had travelled from Pietermaritzburg and along route she brought with her the local inyangas of the area. A inyanga is a traditional healer or diviner, especially one specializing in herbalism. "inyanga" means "man of the trees" in Zulu.  Inyangas are healers that make medicine from herbs, roots and bark. .Some of their ancestors had their grave sites in this conservation area that was set aside by the Rossmin mines.  The inyangas knew this land well.

It was a large group of women with exception to one man who was their interpreter and in our C.R.E.W. group the one man was our Graham who joined us with Kate for the morning. It was lovely to be re-united.  For the number of women that had congregated it was very quiet and there was a great sense of peace amongst us with the one great commonality being our love for plants.

Our group divided left some botanizing on their own whilst others joined the inyangas. It was the tree section the inyangas seemed more interested in and once they arrived at the grassland, they came to a standstill not wanting to go further as they said that there was "nothing there". 

This was to our surprise for we knew there to be medicinal plants and felt quite pleased that the plants had drawn no attention. We had seen from past excursions that plants in this area had been dug out and always wondered what the plant was that was removed in its entirety. We had had often seen signs of the muti-market trade as the Albizia adianthifolia was one of their favorites and seemed which they seemed to take strips of bark on a regular go-to basis.  This tree is used as a purgative and herbal medicine for numerous reasons some being reproductive problems in women, skin diseases and sexually transmitted infections...

We were heartened to learn that these inyangas were taking plants that were only specific to their clients needs and not harvesting unnecessarily.

Ziziphus mucronata also known as UmPhafa or commonly as the Buffalo thorn is used to collect the spirit of a deceased person from their place of death, and taken to their final resting place.  Traditionally the family elder leading the pallbearers carry the branches.  This plant is also used as a protection of cattle kraals and against lightning.  The leaves when crushed are used to stop bleeding and the both the bark and leaves are used to treat skin infections, pain relief and respiratory problems, particularly for stomach and chest illnesses. The roots have been used to treat snakebite wounds and the skin purifying steam bath is made from the bark. The flowers are used as a fish poison.

Some of the plants that the inyangas showed an interest in was Helinus intergrifolius It is used as ritual body wash and an emetic and believed to bring good luck with positive results.  It is also an "ubulawu" (dream-inducing) plant used by some in rituals to facilitate communication with ancestors.

The Passiflora suberosa is used to treat diabetes, hypertension and skin diseases. The leaves are potent have are both an antioxidant and have antibacterial qualities.

Vachellia karroo (former Acacia karroo) is used as a herbal medicine for diseases and ailments such as cold and flu, malaria, dysentery, wounds amongst other things and is used as a treatment to both human and animals.

Clematis brachiata's medicinal use is equally as long with the leaves that can be stuffed into shoes to ease blisters, aches and pains.  The leaves can be placed underneath the saddle of a horse to prevent sores and fresh leaves can be placed under one's hat to keep the wearer cool and protects one against the harsh effects of the sun.  What a plant!  A tea can be made using the leaves so ease headaches, coughs and colds, chest ailments and abdominal upsets. This tea can also be used as a soothing wash for aching feet, soothes cracked skin, blisters and once cooled it can be used as an eyewash for tired red eyes.  Using boiling water and poured over the roots, stems and leaves and the steam inhaled is eases colds, sinus infections, asthma and malaria.  If one places the leaves, stem, flowers and seeds into one's bath and lie in it to soak is helps ease aching muscles. What a go-to plant to have! 

Erythrina lysistemon also known as the Lucky bean tree or Umsinsi, is associated with Zulu royalty and these trees are planted on the graves of Zulu chiefs. This tree is also said to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Grewia occidentalis, the Cross-berry or iLalanyathi's fruit can be used to sweeten milk and the decorative flowers are used around a kraal. The branches of this tree were used to make bows and assegais.

We all left feeling richer for coming into contact with each other and in sharing our knowledge with each other and for being introduced to people who we wouldn't not normally meet under normal circumstances.