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Find out about
African Plants and Seeds

Africa has a vast diversity of plant and seed-based nutraceuticals and functional foods that have been staples since time immemorial. With ancient knowledge that has been passed on from generation to generation through oral traditions. Here we explore some of the wonderful and valuable stars from our natural habitat, our organic pharmacy that the world is only waking up to, our ubundant food supply source. 

Baobab
Adansonia Digitata. Muuyu (Shona) Umkhomo (Ndebele)

Contains

Vitamins A, B & C. Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Iron. Omega 3, 6, 9. Citric and tartaric acids. Linoleic and ⋉-linolenic acids. 20% crude protein

 

Uses

  • Cleanses

  • Nourishes dry skin

  • Firms skin

  • Moisturises

  • Reduces hyperpigmentation

  • Restores collagen

  • Fades stretch marks

  • Strengthens brittle hair

  • Prevents flaky scalp, soothes

    inflamed scalp

 

This iconic tree, synonymous with the bounty and beauty of Africa, provides nourishment to wild animals and humans alike. The baobab fruit has a variety of uses in personal care and nutrition, providing oils for skin and hair, a powder/pulp that has higher Vitamin C than citrus, coffee, fibre, seed cakes for animal feed etc.

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Personal care:

Baobab is an antioxidant and anti- inflammatory. It is an excellent moisturiser that also rejuvenates skin cells. The oil evens skin tone and helps reduce hyperpigmentation, and fades stretch marks. It nourishes dry skin, firms and softens all skin. The oil also restores collagen in the skin. It can be used for cleansing and massages. Baobab oil strengthens brittle hair.

 

Nutraceutical:

Baobab is a superfruit and a natural multivitamin. It is fibre rich. It is excellent for building immunity. Baobab powder is good for the gut microbiome. It helps regulate blood sugar. It contains polyphenolic compounds with many micronutrients.


Medicinal:

Treat fevers, diarrhoea. In West Africa the bark and leaves are claimed to have anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic properties. Once sold in Europe as “cortex cael cedra” to treat fevers.

Marula (Nut)

Sclerocarya Birrea

Mupfura (Shona) Umganu (Ndebele)

Contains

Essential fatty acids. Amino acids

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Uses

  • Super moisturiser

  • Slows premature ageing

  • Prevents stretch marks

  • Fades scars

  • Hydrating and nourishing

  • Improves skin elasticity

  • Smoothes cellulite

  • Lip care

  • Seals hair cuticles

 

The Marula tree, found only in Southern Africa and loved by many animals, is a prolific producer of fruit which are known worldwide as the Amarula liqueur. The fruit pulp is used for drinks and the hard kernel is pressed for oil.

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Personal care:

Marula oil is an antioxidant as it prevents premature ageing. It is an excellent base for massage oils and moisturiser. The oil is great for smoothing cellulite, fading scars and preventing stretch marks (recommended for pregnant women).

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Marula oil is perfect as a hair moisturiser. It shields the hair against sun damage. It seals hair cuticles. Not recommended for people with a tree nut allergy

 

Nutraceutical:

Fruit for drinks. The kernel is highly nutritious. Nut can be pounded into a flour consumed as relish to make butter (dovi / shomve / ndakataka). It can be used as a preservative for meat (prevents oxidation)
 

Medicinal:

The Marula fruit is used in the treatment of diabetes. The bark is boiled and applied to sores. It is also used to treat flatulence, diarrhoea, dysentery, and upset stomach. Marula is also used as a general tonic.

Ximenia Caffra/Sour plum

Adansonia Digitata

Munhengeni (Shona), Umthunduluka (Ndebele)

Contains

Xymenynic, nervonic, oleic, linoleic, erucic, stearic, octocosenic acids. Essential fatty acids. Vitamin C

 

Uses

  • Extra softening

  • Moisturises & Nourishes skin

  • Evens skin tone and can be used to treat hyperpigmentation or ageing spots.

  • Hydrates skin & hair

  • Improves appearance of dry,

  • damaged and ageing skin

  • Conditions hair

  • Lip care

 

This shrubby thorny tree with sour red plums found in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia contains the essence of youth. It has excellent properties for skincare and medicinal use. Ximenia oil is the latest ingredient of interest in skincare as it can address acne, dryness, eczema, psoriasis, skin fragility and dehydration. The seed is pressed for oil and the fruit is used for porridge and beverages. The Himba women use the oil as a moisturiser in the dry desert of Namibia.

 

Personal care:

The oil is anti-ageing and is an excellent moisturiser for skin and hair. It softens the skin, wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating micro circulation in the cells and by causing the blood to flow a little bit more freely. Ximenia oil hydrates and protects the skin from harsh environmental conditions. It improves the appearance of dry, damaged, and ageing skin The oil provides hydration and increases skin elasticity. It evens skin tone and can be used to treat hyperpigmentation or ageing spots. The oil makes a fabulous conditioner for hair and can help to keep the scalp healthy when used as a pre-shampoo oil treatment.

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Nutraceutical:

Medicinal. Traditionally used, both topically and orally to treat a wide range of human diseases and ailments such as stomach ache, wounds, fever, eye problems, diarrhoea, bilharzia, menorrhagia, malaria, intestinal worms, impotence and coughs. The bark and fruits are used by small- scale farmers as ethnoveterinary medicine to treat dermatophilosis, foot rot, saddle sores and control ectoparasites.

Kalahari Melon

Citrulus Lanatus

Mashamba (Shona) Amajodo (Ndebele)

Contains

Fatty acids - palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic. Vitamins A, C & E. Zinc, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphorus. High protein content.

 

Uses

  • Unclog pores

  • Moisturiser

  • Softens fine lines, wrinkles

  • Cleanses

  • Promotes hair growth

  • Sun protection

 

The Kalahari Melon, the ancestor of the watermelon, grows in dry arid areas of southern Africa. The pulp is used in cooking and the seeds are dried for pressing oil for skincare and food.

 

Personal care:

The oil is antioxidant, restorative and noncomedogenic. It is pressed from the dried seeds of the Kalahari Melon and is excellent as an intense moisturiser for many skin types. The seed oil softens the skin and unclog pores. The rich linoleic acid and high protein content contribute to smoothening skin, fine lines and wrinkles. KMS reduces excess sebum making the oil suitable for blemish and acne prone skin. It can be used for facial cleansing and as a baby oil. As a moisturiser, the oil evens skin tone, and can protect the skin from the sun. The oil is rich but not greasy and remains dry on the skin after application.
Hair: KMS oil promotes hair growth. It is a perfect conditioner and light moisturiser for hair.

 

Nutraceutical:

Kalahari Melon Seed makes excellent cooking oil. The crushed seeds can be used for seed cake for stock feed. They can also be dry roasted, seasoned and eaten in the same way as roasted peanuts.

Mongongo/Manketti (Nut)

Schinziophyton rautanenii

Mongongoma (Shona), Umgoma (Ndebele)

Contains

Essential fatty acids: linoleic, alpha-linolenic, oleic, eleostearic; Vitamin E, Calcium, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Magnesium, Polyunsaturated fatty acids.

 

Uses

  • Rejuvenates epidermis,

  • Nourishes and softens skin

  • Aids cellular regeneration

  • Protect against UV rays

  • Restores and maintains a healthy skin barrier

  • Spot treatment for acne, eczema & other skin conditions 

  • Shines hair

  • • Perfect as baby oil

 

The Mongongo tree is distributed widely through subtropical southern Africa. The fruits are known as mongongo fruits, mongongo nuts, manketti nuts or mongongo. The egg-shaped, velvety fruits ripen and fall between March and May each year.

 

Personal care:

Mongongo oil is anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing. It hydrates and softens the skin. The oil reduces inflammation and promotes cellular repair. It adds shine to hair. Emollient/skin softening properties, helps fight free radicals and help maintain skin elasticity to prevent signs of premature ageing and wrinkles. Protects from the sun. Can be used for shaving. Can be used with a shampoo.

 

Nutraceutical:

Eaten roasted or fresh, the nuts contain Omega 6, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc. It also contains vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, linoleic acid, y-tocopherol, as well as high concentrations of vitamin E. It also possesses eleostearic acid that provides protection from environmental pollutants.

Mafura/Cape or Natal Mahogany

Trichilia Emetica

Muchichiri, Mutsikiri (Shona) Umkhuhlu (Ndebele/Zulu/Xhosa)

Contains

Palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, meristic acid, linolenic acid and lauric acid.

 

Uses

  • Moisturises.

  • Treats eczema.

  • Hydrates dry, parched and mature skin.

  • Reduces wrinkles and age spots.

  • Softens and strengthens brittle, dry hair.

  • Reduces hair loss.

 

Personal care:

From the kernels of this majestic tree, we make an emollient butter that is both anti- inflammatory and anti-bacterial. The butter is a superb moisturiser as it hydrates the skin. It is perfect for dry, parched and mature skin. Hair: softens and strengthens brittle, dry hair, conditioner. Mafura butter is good for treating skin conditions such as eczema. It promotes hair growth, reduces hair loss, and helps in reducing wrinkles and age spots. Substitute for palm oil in soap making.

 

Nutraceutical:

Food - Cooking oil. Medicinal- emetic, boil seeds. Remedy for stomach and intestinal complaints, dysentery, kidney problems, indigestion and parasites. Root used for fever. Leaf or fruit poultices applied to bruises and eczema. Oil used for rheumatism.

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