Marula tree bark uses.
Inner bark is used for the manufacture of ropes.
Marula tree bark uses. Few farmers harvest Marula fruits from the tree.
Marula tree bark uses Inner bark is used for the manufacture of ropes. They believe that an infusion of the marula trees’ bark can help determine the gender of an unborn child. The tree is highly valued for its multiple uses, with the fruit, bark, and leaves used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. It has large compound leaves crowded at the ends of the branches. from Kwazulu-Natal to Ethiopia. 3. , they have a gender. Bark. It bears inconspicuous red and yellow flowers from September to November. The tree’s leaves, bark, and roots are used traditionally for various treatments. Many generations have embraced its strong roots, majestic height, and sweet fruits, and its importance in local culture cannot be overstated. Sometimes one finds a tree with a wound, probably caused by a traditional healer or someone who collected material for medicinal use. Boon, R. However, as of 2021, the tree is not widely cultivated and remains underutilized. [34] The outermost layer of the . One such belief is that using the powder of the bark or the flowers to make a tea from The Marula tree is then able to stay healthy through the ways that it has adapted and evolved to survive. A drink made from marula leaves is used for the treatment of gonorrhoea. 12 Month Membership R400. Rope is made from the inner bark. Marula is well known for its multiple potential uses, including animal feeding, and it could be valuable in agroforestry systems. The stem and bark, rich in antihistamines, offer a natural steam inhalation Marula bark has been used traditionally to treat tummy bugs, diarrhea and as a strengthening tonic for the heart! My feeling about Marula having worked with it in my initiation as a traditional herbalist (inyanga) is it The bark is used to make a decoction that is administered as enema to treat proctitis and diarrhoea, fever and malaria, and gonorrhoea. Traditional uses and benefits of Marula Fruit The leaves, stem bark, root and fruit are used extensively in food and traditional medicine. The Marula tree continues to provide a source of sustenance and enrichment to African communities. Determining Babies' Sex An infusion of the male or female trees' bark is believed to help determine the sex of an unborn child. The Zulu people, for example, use stem bark to treat dysentery, diarrhoea, and infections like gangrenous rectitis, while the Venda people use it to address fever, stomach ailments, and ulcers. Almost all the marula tree parts; the bark, fruits, nuts, leaves and . Other vernacular names for the tree include valsmaroela (Afrikaans), false-marula (English), mmpo (Northern Sotho/Sepedi), umgabunkhomo (siSwati) and umganunkomo (isiZulu) (Van Wyk et al. With a clear understanding of the edible parts of the marula, you can now explore the best harvesting techniques to enjoy this unique fruit. It is mainly used for traditional healing of mumps (uzagiga). a) The bark is analgesic, anti-inflammatory. Leaves can be also used in treatment of hypertension, inflammation and pain. Sclerocarya birrea is a savannah tree, belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. The bark is used to influence the sex of the expected child. The leaves are used to make a relish, and the hard Bark is used both as treatment and a prophylaxis for malaria. patreon. While the average fruit volumes per tree are just below half a ton, fruit fall of 1 to 3 tons below massive marula Sclerocarya birrea, commonly known as Marula, is a deciduous tree with a height ranging from 7 m to 18 m. Deciduous tree with yellowish bark found on mountain outcrops; roots often visible across the rock face; grows up to 10m. Archeological proof demonstrates the marula tree was a wellspring of nutrition as long as prior as 10,000 years B. Animal associations The Marula tree’s bark serves a variety of purposes and is also employed in traditional medicine. It’s a member of anacardiaceae family, like the mango and cashew nut tree. Marula, Scelerocarya birrea, subspecies caffera, is one of Africa' botanical treasures. Martin Rust spoke to Magda du Toit about how his family is exploiting this multi-faceted resource, which occurs naturally on their farm in northern Namibia. The Marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea) is known as "Ukanyi" in Tsonga. (2018) . This brings to life the belief by the people of Venda. The person who has mumps has to go to this tree and hit the cheek on the tree, while they do that the person needs to say, “Zagiga, zagiga ngiyeke” (“Go away, mumps”) three Kokwaro, Family: Anacardiaceae, commonly known as marula tree in English; Danya in Hausa is a common and important tree in Africa with multifaceted uses recognized as a commercially, medicinally This lead to an African belief that drinking an infusion of the bark of a male tree would lead to the birth of a boy child, or that of a female tree, to the birth of a girl child. com/channel/UCaOU For thousands of years, Southern African communities have used the bark, leaves, fruit and kernels of the marula tree for their medicinal and nutritional properties. Picture a single - stemmed tree, its wide - spreading crown casting a welcoming shade. It is best known for ‘driving elephants mad’, as they eat the slightly fermented fruit from The bark is widely used medicinally to treat diarrhoea, diabetes, fever and malaria, and the roots are used to treat sore eyes. Sclerocarya birrea is a medium-sized deciduous tree known locally as Mupfura (Shona), Marula (English) Mufuna (Shona) Mushomo (Shona) Umganu (Ndebele) Medicinal Uses . Many generations have embraced its strong roots, majestic height, and sweet fruits, and its importance in local culture Bark is often used for medicinal purposes and its wood can be used for making drums. If a woman desires a baby boy, an infusion from the bark of the male tree is given. The marula tree grows in semi- and dry areas and belongs to the Anacardiaceae family (Mkungunugwa et al. In the documentary Animals Are Beautiful People by Jamie Uys , released in 1974, some scenes portray elephants , ostriches , warthogs and baboons allegedly becoming intoxicated from eating In this guide, we'll explore five remarkable trees found in the Kruger National Park, each with its unique characteristics, fascinating facts, ecological roles, and traditional uses by local communities. stem are vital and their uses varies with various locations and tribes. Most farmers harvest fruits at ripe stage by picking from the ground. [Citation 34] The outermost layer of the trunk is coarse with a pale gray color whereas its inner layer is either red, pink or yellowish with darker lines. Leaves are chewed to help indigestion and to treat heartburn. This tree grows easily from Seeds and from cuttings planted in early spring. Male and female flowers on separate The damaged bark, due to browsing, can be used to identify marula trees as elephants preferentially target them. youtube. Marula oil, made from the seed kernel, can be used as a type of skin care oil. References. To determine the sex of an unborn child, Marula tree bark infusions can be used, male tree bark is used for a son and female tree bark for a daughter. The Marula tree is visually striking with a gnarled, twisted trunk and spreading branches that can create a large, shady canopy. Utilization of Marula has been a major income generation for Marula fruit, the edible oval drupes that grow on marula trees, have recently emerged into the spotlight for their abundant nutritional virtues. Rich. Marula trees bear between 17,500 to 91,300 fruits annually, which translates to yields of 315 to 1 643 kg of marula fruits (Emesu et al. Elephants distribute marula seeds in their dung. When burned, the nuts serve as a reliable light source, and the empty shells become Being one of the continent’s botanical treasures, there are many legends about this tree and its many uses – including its bark, fruit, kernels and nuts. The bark and leaves of the Marula tree contain compounds that can act as antidiarrheals and anti-inflammatories, providing relief from stomach ailments and promoting digestive health. Typically, it is a medium-sized tree with a spreading crown that can reach up to 18 meters in height. Legends abound on the multiple uses of the Marula (Sclerocarya birrea (A. Umganu (marula) is a tree used by the Zulu The inner bark of the marula tree can be used to take the sting away from a rash, With all the uses and beliefs of the Marula Tree, it is no wonder that the tree is highly valued in South Africa, therefore being Marula trees, found in South Africa's rural areas, have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties. It produces rounded, yellow fruit about 30 mm in diameter, The bark, roots and leaves are used for medical purposes to treat heartburn, diarrhoea, The medicinal benefits of marula extend beyond its fruit. For example, the astringent flavor of the bark makes it a popular remedy for treating diarrhea and dysentery. , 2023). Marula bark has even stronger properties that have been confirmed in the laboratory with medicinal properties in the bark that help lower blood sugar (Hypoglycaemic actions), useful for people to control sugar levels! Roots and bark are also used as laxatives. The leaves are consumed in the form of tea and offer several health benefits, whereas the bark is used to treat a wide range of The tree’s versatility extends to practical uses – its wood creates durable furniture and tools, while the inner bark produces natural rope. Large-leaved rock fig (Ficus abutilifolia) Characteristics. Pooley’s Trees of eastern South Africa. The anatomical and structural details of the unusual root bark hairs have been described by Kotina et al. The Venda believe bark infusions can determine the sex of an unborn child. Not only are the marula fruits palatable to animals, but it is also edible for humans. It bears inconspicuous red and yellow flowers 3 Month Membership R150. [ 12 ] In the documentary Animals Are Beautiful People by Jamie Uys , released in 1974, some scenes portray elephants , ostriches , warthogs and baboons allegedly becoming intoxicated from eating Sclerocarya birrea (Anacardiaceae) is a popular African wild tree distributed in many African countries where the leaves, stem bark, root and fruits are used in food and traditional medicine; the The marula tree is dioecious, which basically means that each tree has a specific sex. An infusion is used in the treatment of stomach-pains and constipation and to ease labour-pains. This led to the traditional belief that drinking an infusion made from the bark of a male tree would lead to the birth of a boy, while drinking a bark infusion from the female tree would result in the birth of a girl. The Marula Tree 🔔: Support our Work on Patreon https://www. Marula fruits can be eaten fresh, squeezed to make juice, brewed in Sclerocarya birrea is a fairly hardy, medium to large, deciduous tree with a rounded crown and beautiful mottled bark. The bark of the marula tree is not edible and may contain harmful compounds. Marula trees are dioecious – the male and female trees are separate. Sometimes one finds a tree with a wound, probably caused by a traditional healer or someone who collected material for Beyond its dermatological applications, marula has been traditionally used to alleviate gastrointestinal disorders. Marula Tree. Marula tree has been classified as a multipurpose tree and very important to smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid areas. Avoid ingesting it to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience with this remarkable plant. It has a broad, mostly straight trunk and a widely spreading, fairly dense, rounded crown. Avoid ingesting it to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience with this remarkable Mtileni adds that marula is used in small-scale chutneys and pie fillings, while its skin can be boiled for drinking or burned as a coffee substitute. Abstract. Even the green leaves are eaten to relieve heartburn. The marula fruit, which ripens from January to March, is the size of a small plum, and has 4 Local communities in southern Africa derive many benefits from marula [Sclerocarya birrea (A. APPEARANCE: They are deciduous trees that can grow up to 18m tall. Few farmers harvest Marula fruits from the tree. With its diverse range of uses, the Marula tree continues to be a vital part of the fabric of African life. The fruit and bark of the tree have many popular uses, including medicinal uses. e. com/magrizamademecook Subscribe to MMMC: https://www. 1. 00. It grows fairly quickly but is frost sensitive. Leaf juice may stain clothing. Bark of marula is used in treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and insect bites. , 2021). [Citation 34, Citation 35] Almost all the marula tree parts; the bark, fruits, nuts, leaves and stem are vital and their uses varies with various locations and tribes. 6 month Membership R250. , 2011). The bark taken from Marula Tree Facts Marula trees are dioecious, which means they have a specific gender. A decoction of the bark is an excellent remedy for haemorrhoids, is also used to treat dysentery, diarrhoea and rheumatism, and has a prophylactic effect against malaria. The tree has compound leaves with a distinctive fragrance and small, greenish-yellow flowers that bloom in As the tree is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees, it is not by coincidence that the marula female tree is one of the most prolific fruit producing-trees in Africa. The tree has a specific sex (deciduous and also dioecious) which led to many traditional African beliefs about the tree. Leaves are used in treatment of heartburn, spider bites, skin burns and abscesses. Flora and Fauna Publications Trust, Durban. Smallholder farmers also harvest tree bark and branches for several uses. Bark also provides a light brown dye. The common English name is Marula or cider tree, and is commonly known in the Sudan as What Is a Marula Tree? The Marula Tree, Sclerocarya birrea, belongs to the family Anacardiaceae, which includes other well-known trees like cashews and mangoes. The Marula tree grows up to 18m (59 feet) tall. Sclerocarya birrea (Anacardiaceae) is a popular African wild tree distributed in many African countries where the leaves, stem bark, root, and fruits are used in food and traditional medicine; the fruit is rich in ascorbic acid. This fact contributes to the belief among the Venda that bark infusions can be used to determine the gender of an unborn child. Sclerocarya birrea is a fairly hardy, medium to large, deciduous tree with a rounded crown and beautiful mottled bark. subsp. In the former homeland of Venda it was a criminal offence to cut down a living tree of this species. 2010. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, marula fruit possesses a unique tangy-sweet flavor with Archaeological evidence shows the marula tree was a source of nutrition as long as ago as 10,000 years B. SUBSCRIBE Saturday, March 29, 2025. The marula tree is a single stemmed tree with a wide spreading crown. The tree grows near the river but it can also be re-planted. ) Hochst. Both the root and bark are used as laxatives. The Marula tree grows to about 15 m high and is native to subtropical regions of Africa. If she’d like a baby girl, an infusion from the female tree is given. The fruit juice contains sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, which are terpenes found in plants that are reported to have bacteriostatic properties. If a woman wants a son, the male tree is used; a daughter, the female tree. It seems that every part of it – bark, fruit, seeds, leaves – can be used for either healing an ailment (the bark is used as both a treatment and a prophylaxis for malaria), Marula is also known by other names such as Elephant tree, Jelly plum, and Marula plum. Old stems are fairly smooth and the bark peels off sporadically in rather large, flat, roundish discs exposing underlying yellowy bark. The damaged bark, due to browsing, can be used to identify marula trees as elephants preferentially target them. Marula is a prolific bearer. It’s dioecious which just means there are both male and female trees. ) Kokwaro]. Marula trees are dioecious, i. Pregnant women use the bark of the respective species to determine the gender of their unborn babies - e. This beautiful tree’s history extends back to more or less 10,000 years and there is evidence that even then the fruit and nut-like kernels were an important food source. The Marula Tree in Its Habitat. But, if the infusion fails (a child of the opposite sex is born), then the child is designated as very special: he or he defied the spirits. Umganu (marula tree) is a tree used by African people especially the Zulus. The historical backdrop of the Marula tree returns a large number of years. Roots and bark are also used as laxatives. It eaten either fresh, . A "morning after" tree - extracts of bark used for treating hangovers and heartburn. C. Elephants strip the bark of the marula tree because it is a favourite food source for elephants as it contains calcium and fibres which help with digestion. Learn about the traditional uses of marula leaves, bark, and roots, Uses: The Marula tree is grown worldwide and is invaluable to millions of people in parts of Asia, Europe and America. These include the contribution of this species towards health, nutrition, food security and conservation by sharing local skills and knowledge related to it. g. If a woman wants a The marula tree is dioecious, which basically means that each tree has a specific sex. ) is a multipurpose deciduous African tree that produces prized juicy fruits, seeds rich in oil and protein. Bark is said to The inner bark off the tree can be used to make a decent rope, the light reddish brown wood makes lovely furniture and the skin of the fruit can even be burnt to use as a substitute for coffee and snuff. Marula tree has spiritual meaning among the African tribes. It is characterized by a grey mottled bark. Don't waste any more time and money replacing dead or unsightly plants because they were not suitable for your region or garden style; or you weren’t sure how to grow them correctly - let us help you choose the right plants for your garden. The Marula is a fairly attractive deciduous tree that grows to a medium-size of around 7-18m. a preparation of the powdered bark from the male tree is taken for a male child. The Marula, characterised by its grey, mottled bark, thrives predominantly in the open woodlands and low altitudes of Southern Africa, the Sudano - Sahelian range of West Africa, East Africa's savannas, and even in Madagascar. This led to the traditional belief that drinking an infusion made from the bark of a male tree would lead to the birth of a boy, while drinking a The marula tree. One can usually spot the trees by the gathering of animals Traditional medicinal and other uses. The flowers are 50 to Bark. Additionally, according to traditional beliefs about this tree, The Marula tree continues to provide a source of sustenance and enrichment to African communities. I was at a wedding It turns out that this is one important tree, with a multitude of uses. caffra (Sond. ifzuwcbifkuwaxumawpjnudlomlqgdtrbjrgukijzxusqqpoxwseorkrmnsqhkkxkphyayemp
