Medicinal Plant: Carpobrotus edulis (sour fig)

Carpobrotus edulis (sour fig)
Medicinal plant from the Healing Plant Collective

The leaf sap is usually gargled to treat mouth and throat infections. It is also taken orally for dysentery, digestion problems and as a diuretic. The fruit are cold at street markets in the cape and are popular for jams and curry dishes.

The leaves contain tannins and flavoniods while the leaf juice is antiseptic (antibacterial and antifungal)... the beneficial effects thereof are partly due to the tannins. In addition to their antiseptic effects tannins have a vasocontrictor property, reducing fluid loss from wounds and thereby enhancing tissue regeneration.

You can find Carpobrotus edulis found along the coast in the Cape as well as slightly inland at low altitudes. This fleshy succulent has a mat-like creeping growth. It is a good one to know if you hit the beach regularly - treat blue bottle stings, jelly fish stings and even sunburn with the leaf sap.

Photographs by Fran Siebrits

Healing Plants Collective - click here to learn and share in the wonders of medicinal & useful plants!

"As a human race we have always used plants. Mother Nature supplies a wonderful abundance of medicinal, healing and useful plants. Let's learn together! 

Tradition peoples still make use of these healing plants. The Healing Plants Collective aims to learn and share this knowledge. Through respect, sensitivity and openness we can learn how to work with nature. 

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