4 Rauvolfia caffra Seeds - Quinine Tree - Indigenous Medicinal Tree Seeds - Combined Global Shipping

Rauvolfia caffra Seeds

Quinine Tree

Rauvolfia caffra occurs from Togo east to southern Sudan, Uganda and Kenya and south through Central and East Africa to eastern South Africa. In East Africa the bark is commonly used in local medicine. The crushed bark is applied against measles or itching rash. A bark decoction is taken as an astringent, purgative or emetic to treat fever, swellings, rheumatism, hepatitis, pneumonia, abdominal pain and as a tranquilizer. A piece of bark is chewed to cure cough and toothache. Dried pulverized leaves are sniffed to cure headache. A root decoction is taken to treat fever, swollen legs, insomnia and palpitation of the heart. The root is used for treating insomnia and insecurity. A root or bark decoction cooked in porridge is applied to hardened abscesses, whereas the powdered unopened inflorescences are applied to sores. A stem or root bark decoction is taken to treat internal parasites, such as roundworm and tapeworm. Root sap, mixed with honey, is applied to fractures. In Tanzania a root decoction is taken to treat abdominal pain, constipation and irregular periods or hypertension. The vapour of a bark decoction is inhaled to treat epilepsy and eye diseases. In Zambia stem bark is used to treat venereal diseases. In Zimbabwe the sap of pounded fruits is used as ear drops to cure earache. In South Africa a decoction of the bark is taken as a tranquilizer for hysteria, and to treat insomnia. In the Arusha and Kilimanjaro districts of Tanzania the root extract and ground stem bark are added to a local beer made from cooking bananas to add a bitter flavour and increase the alcohol percentage of the drink. The wood is suitable for making fruit boxes, kitchen furniture and shelving. Household utensils and drums are sometimes carved from it. In Kenya poles are used in hut building and for making bee hives. Rauvolfia caffra is used as a shade tree in coffee plantations, and is an important species in bee keeping in Tanzania due to its multitude of flowers. The tree is a good source of fuel wood. The thickened latex is used as a bird lime in Kenya. The bark contains a fibre which is used in Cameroon and Gabon to make bow strings and cords. Rauvolfia caffra is a decorative fast-growing tree for sheltered gardens. It is planted as an ornamental shade tree in southern Africa.