Botanical Pharmacy

Botanical: Ximenia spp.
Family: Olacaceae
Common: Wild plum, Sour plum, Wild Olive, Monkey Plum

Description

The name, Ximenia, commemorates a Spanish monk, Francisco Ximenez, who wrote about the plants in the 17^th Century.  The species are spiny, deciduous shrubs or small trees.  The bark is dark brown to black, with textured scales. The dark green leaves are simple, alternate and smooth.  The fragrant flowers are found in inflorescent clusters and bear ovoid, drupe fruits.

Fruit

The fruits (drupes) are similar in shape and size to a plum.  They vary in colour from dark reddish-brown to bright orange-scarlet when ripe. The edible pulp clings to a brittle shelled stone, within which is contained an oil rich, soft cream coloured seed.

Distribution

Ximenia species are widespread across Southern Africa, abundant in all PhytoTrade Africa’s member countries, especially Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.  The shrubs commonly grow in low altitude areas, in woodland and across grassy savannah landscape.

Traditional uses:

The maternal African lineage has maintained the philosophy through the ages of maintaining health by using the abundant natural resources, steeped in nutritional and medicinal properties.  Ximenia forms a key part of this philosophy; the fruit pulp, seed oil and bark each have specific properties that are used domestically. The Ximenia fruits are nutritionally rich in Vitamin C and form an important component of the diet: eaten raw, made into jams, jellies and a refreshing syrup is drunk with water or added to porridge.  Ximenia bark is used to treat toothache, mouth infections and stomach aches. The seed oil, extracted in various ways, is edible and used in cooking.   However, it’s principal use is as an emollient.  Ximenia oil is used by bushmen on their bows and bow strings, whilst the women and girls use it to anoint their bodies and hair.   It is a very effective hair oil, rich conditioner and skin softener. Chapped skin is often soothed by massaging Ximenia oil into the affected area.