COMMON NAMES: Camel's foot
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rhodesian bauhinia
FAMILY: Fabaceae
NATIVE: Africa
FRUITS/ SEEDS: Brown, Woody, Linear-oblong pod containing many dark brown, ellipsoid seeds
FRUITING TIME: December – February
SEED COLLECTION: Fruits split open when ripe and seeds are easily collected under and around the parent tree.
TYPE OF SEED: Orthodox
- Tender leaves are chewed and the juice swallowed to treat stomach-ache, coughs and snakebite
- The ash obtained from burnt leaves is rubbed into snakebite wounds after scarification in order to hasten healing
- The leaves are combined with those of mpandanjobvu and the liquid used to relieve the inflammation from sore eyes
- The roots are used to treat prolonged menstruation, haemorrhage and miscarriage in women and also for the treatment of coughs, colds, body pain
- An infusion of the root, combined with the root of the wild cow pea (Vigna sp.), is said to be a contraceptive. It is drunk for seven consecutive days during which time no intercourse is allowed
- An infusion of the bark is used to treat coughs, colds, chest pains and snakebite
- An infusion of the bark is used for the cure of an infection of the gums called ciseye