Here is another of the many GEM PLANTS
Sutherlandia frutescens has many common names such as cancer bush, balloon-pea, unwele (meaning 'hair' in Zulu; due to the fact that the Zulu people believe that the plant stops people 'pulling out their hair' with distress.
Fitting for even the smallest of gardens with an average height of no more than 1 meter high with blooms of flashing red flowers of approximately 35mm long, that resemble a birdlike shape when fully open (much like those of a pea) and colorful pods once it looses its flowers, this amazingly attractive shrublet is not only great to lighten up any garden with its great pallet of colors, but will also attract an array of birds such as Sunbirds as well as a variety of butterflies to your garden, whilst repairing your garden soils nitrogen levels. Plus it's a definitely one to add to the treasure cove of your gardens medical kit.
This plant definitely can be considered one of the ethnobotanical red carpet celebrities due to its asstounding medicinal proiperties such as its ability to cure Cancer, as well aa the recent reasearch for usage as an immune booster especially benneficial in the treatment of viral infections such as HIV/Aids
Histically it was also used by the Khoi San and Nama people in South Africa by means of a concoction used to dress wounds and taken orally to bring down fevers.
In todays day and age it's common uses are:
- Successful results in the treatment of chicken pox
- Curing stomach problems
- Treatment of internal cancers.
- Treatment of eye troubles
- Still used as a wash for wounds
- Bring down fevers
- Treat chicken pox
- Treat colds, 'flu & asthma
- Treatment of TB & bronchitis
- Treatment also of rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis and osteo-arthritis
- As well as liver problems, haemorrhoids, piles, bladder, uterus & 'women's' complaints
- Alleviates backache, diabetes, varicose veins and inflammation.
- It is also used in the treatment of mental and emotional stress, including irritability, anxiety and depression and is used as a gentle tranquillizer.
References:
https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Cancer-Bush-Cid2798
http://cancerbush.org.uk/Cancerbush.htm
https://www.plantzafrica.com/plantqrs/sutherfrut.htm
Images from my landscaping collection.
