A Taste for Medicinal Plants of Madagascar

There is a saying in Malagasy: “Ny sary vitan'anamalaho tsy amonoana vatotr'akoho” = One should try use natural means such as medicinal plants before resorting to Western chemical medicines.

Operation Smile - Madagascar Mission

It’s first light. The city is already thick with noisy character, filtering in through half open windows to waken those attempting the luxurious post alarm-clock snooze. Dawn gracefully allows the sleepy eyes of the privileged to slowly adjust to a new day while the streets beyond golden windows are already a hive of buzzing bodies.

Malagasy Cocktail: straight up with a pinch of vanilla

Antananarivo, capital city of Madagascar. The name takes some getting used to, and a few spiced-rums to accomplish correct pronunciation. 

Medicinal Plant: Athrixia phylacoides (bushman's tea)

Athrixia phylacoides (bushman's tea)
Medicinal Plant from the Healing Plant Collective

This aromatic shrub is widely distributed in eastern and northern parts of South Africa. The leafy twigs and roots are both used to treat a variety of ailments. The plant has antioxidant effects and there is significant activity against cancer cells.    

Medicinal Plant: Alepidea amatymbica (kalmoes)

Alepidea amatymbica (kalmoes)
Medicinal Plant from the Healing Plant Collective

This is a well known plant used to treat chest ailments and general colds. It is also used for asthma, influenza, and abdominal cramps. Roots and rhizomes of Alepidea amatymbica are chewed, ingested as part of an infusion, used as snuff or burned and inhaled. 

Poem: "Processing me"

From a bench in the sky
A kiss from the eternal river below
A moment of clarity
...humbles

Life continues with
     or without me
A choice to be present
     or to be stale
Grateful retrospectively
Appreciative blood-pumping post contentedness

But where was I?
Closing doors on the open sky
Ignoring kisses of the river
...Ashamed
Small
Human

But alive
     learning
            loving

Realisation of independence
     yet connectivity
Dependency, energy-bonding life

Seemingly apart
Ultimately one

Poem: "Opening"

Look at the clouds
See how they change
Look
What do you see?
How does your soul respond to the movements around?

Feel
Notice the movement within
     as you change subtly
     to the dance of the air

Listen
Hear the music midst the noise
     inner
                and outer

Breathe

No other function could be so satisfying!

Open
Embrace the music of your heart
     Let it sing
Let it love
     Let it be loved

This your choice
     Your freedom

Your joy

Medicinal Plant: Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree)

Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree)
Medicinal Plant from the Healing Plant Collective

Click here for image reference

Although not indigenous to South Africa (it is native to China, Japan and Taiwan), the camphor tree was introduced and has adapted well to our climate, growing as tall as 26m. The bark and leaves have a characteristic camphor smell.

Medicinal Plant: Bulbine frutescens (burn jelly plant)

Bulbine frutescens (burn jelly plant)
Medicinal Plant from the Healing Plant Collective

This is another great medicinal plant whereby the leaf sap is used, along with its brothers B. asphodeloides, B. alooides, B. natalensis and B. narcissifolia. The leaves and its sap are used to treat wounds, burns, cracked lips, itches, rashes, ringworm and even herpes. The roots are believed to prevent and treat madness. 

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.