Pittosporum viridiflorum (kasuur, cheesewood) is used in traditional medicine for both people and animals. It is also used as a magical plant. It is a beautiful garden tree.
Pittosporum viridiflorum Monograph
This monograph contains details of Pittosporum viridiflorum as per the references cited below. If you can provide any additional information, photos or reliable records, or spot any errors, please leave a comment below or in The Muthi Flora of southern Africa Facebook group.
Traditional Medicinal Uses of Pittosporum viridiflorum
Administered to people: Decoctions made from a piece of bark about 40 cm x 60 cm, pounded and steeped in a pint (600ml) of water is used for febrile complaints. Vomiting is then induced with water. Double the quantity of bark is used in enemas administered for the same purpose. Bark decoctions are also taken for pains in the back and administered as emetics or enemas for stomach troubles, particularly those connected with bile, Such decoctions are also taken, usually in the mornings, to purify the blood. (Hutchings et.al.)
Used for stomach ailments by the Xhosa. Plant decoctions are used for respiratory diseases and bark infusions are used for abdominal pains. Roasted bark is for dysentery. Roots and bark are used for aphrodisiacs and root infusions are taken for chest pains and administered as enemas for dizziness. (Hutchings et.al.)
Bark decoctions are reported to ease pain and to produce restfulness. The bark has a peculiar sweet smell and bitter taste. (Hutchings et.al.)
Administered to animals: Roasted bark is used for black gallsickness. (Hutchings et.al.)
Applied in a magical sense: Root infusions are used by the Sotho for accuracy in divining and for protecting patients from witchcraft. (Hutchings et.al.)
Eco-Gardening
Pittosporum viridiflorum is a beautiful garden tree, which can be grown in sun or semi-shade. It can be used in forest and bush clumps as well as a hedge plant. Once planted, do not disturb the roots of Pittosporum viridiflorum. (Wildflower Nursery)
References
Arnold. T.H., Prentice, C.A., Hawker, L.C., Snyman, E.E., Tomalin, M., Crouch, N.R. and Pottas-Bircher, C. (2002). Medicinal and magical plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 13. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G., Cunnigham, A.B., (1996). Zulu Medicinal Plants: an inventory. University of Natal
Wildflower Nursery - https://wildflowernursery.co.za/indigenous-plant-database/pittosporum-viridiflorum/. Accessed on 2020/01/06
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