Unregulated imphepho heavily exported to SA
MBABANE – Eswatini is blessed with some of the best vegetation that defines its landscape with its unique flora. The populace has lived to coexist with the traditional and modern lifestyle. Eswatini News brings a bit of reality of the things that continue to define the Africaness in modern day Eswatini. Imphepho is an indigenous to Eswatini and surrounding countries is said to be a plant that is used for deflecting bad or negative spirits.
Abraham Lukhele a Herbalist within the Mbabane Market, disclosed to Eswatini News that imphepho is divided into three according to his indigenous knowledge.
Lukhele said the three he knows of are differentiated by the blooming flowers, with one giving out yellow and the other with whitish flowers. He said the other one is found at rocky areas with a bigger stems but not growing tall like the others. Lukhele said imphepho is one plant with aromatic, soft, grey-green leaves and with the different flower formations.
Meanwhile, Lukhele’s two types of imphepho are confirmed by the South Africa Journal of Botany study by reputable professionals who studied the two types. The study revealed that one plant grows to about 0.5 to 1 m in height with it whitish-cream in colour H petiolare is found in the drier inland parts of South Africa incest, such as the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The study further stated that in South African traditional incense, the infusion of the whole plant is taken orally to treat diabetes. They further disclosed that another type of plant grows to about 0.5 to 1 m in height with its flower whitish-cream in colour H petiolare, is also found in the drier inland parts of South African provinces, such as the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Lukhele said there may be more uses to imphepho, but the main one he knows is that of dispelling negative energy at home. “By simple burning it in the house negative energy is gone and even children who sleep restlessly will sleep comfortable,” said Lukhele.
Relaxation
He further adds it may not be wrong to state that it does help ease stress and promote relaxation. Lukhele further shared that some have grown to use it when enjoying a cup of tea infused in milk or water. “That is what is now commonly known as ‘indayela’,” said Lukhele.
Lukhele further stated that some even claim it may also help ease coughs and colds, headache or backache. He said those who are using it as tea also claimed it can heal fever, urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, stress, tension, cramps, insomnia, and nervous conditions. The shrub is one product that leaves the country every week destined to the neighbouring South Africa.
While it is exported, Eswatini remains without any seedlings known for the shrub.
Lukhele confirmed that the shrub is growing wild and he has never thought of preserving the plant and that it coud one day be extinct. Lukhele said the plant is mostly found in the Highveld of the country, Maphalaleni, Dlangeni as well as around Mankayane areas.
According to the comparative chemical profiling and antimicrobial activity of two interchangeably used imphepho species Helichrysum odoratissimum and Helichrysum petiolare in South Africa. According to the abstract on the study Helichrysum petiolare and Helichrysum odoratissimum, collectively known as imphepho, are popular medicinal herbs that are indigenous to South Africa.
The species are used interchangeably to relieve gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions, fever and urinary tract infections, implying that they produce antibacterial compounds. “Although these herbs are sold in informal markets, they have not been commercialised,” reads the study abstract.