© Thomas Brendler
Botanical name: Bulbine frutescens (L.) Willd., Asphodelaceae
Synonyms: B. caulescens L., B. rostrata Willd.
Vernacular names: Bulbine (English, French, German, Italian); Rankkopieva, Geelkatstert (Afrikaans); ibhucu, intelezi (Zulu), sehlare-sa-pekane, sehlare-sa-mollo (Sotho).
Geographical distribution: South Africa and Lesotho.
Description: A variable perennial up to 0.5 m high, with woody stems bearing succulent bright green leaves; flowers small, mostly yellow, rarely partly orange, in multiflowered racemes on slender peduncles; fruit a small capsule.
Chemical constituents: Knipholone-type phenylanthraquinones, including gaboroquinones A and B, as well as knipholone, 4′-O-demethylknipholone and sulfated analogues.
Pharmacology: Bulbine frutescens gel is used in treating postoperative scars. The topical healing effect is likely to be due to polysaccharides and/or glycoproteins in the leaf gel. The traditional use of Bulbine leaf juice suggests anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity. Knipholone is strongly antiplasmodial.
Medicinal uses: Widely used to treat wounds, cuts, grazes, burns, sores, rashes, itches, cracked lips, mosquito bites, ringworm and herpes. Infusions of the roots are taken against vomiting, diarrhoea, and to treat venereal diseases, urinary complaints, diabetes, rheumatism, convulsions and blood disorders.