A Description of the various Trees, Bushes, Herbs, and Plants of a Medicinal character to be found about the town of Tete; with an account of the application which the natives of the country make of them, for the mechanical uses of life, and in the treatment of the diseases to which they are subject:—
The town of Tete is situated sixty leagues N.W. of the town of Seña, which is also sixty leagues from the town of Killimane, built on the northern mouth of the river Zambesi, which discharges itself into the Indian Ocean on the east coast of Africa.[9]
Trees.
Muxetéco, or root of St. Augustine, as it is called at Mozambique.—The flower of this tree, which blooms in the months of November and December, is small, of a yellow colour, and sweet scented. It produces pods of the colour of cinnamon, more than two and a half spans in length; the beans inside are of the size of the tamarind stone. These pods, after being dried, are used for torches by the natives when entering caves in search of the porcupine. An infusion of the bark of the tree is applied in cases of indigestion, toothaches, colics, vomits, and also as a healing wash for wounds. It is used to promote menstruation.
Mucorongo.—This tree is called jambalaõ in Inhambane. The flower is white, round, and like that of the mangoe-tree, or elder-tree. From the fruit both wine and vinegar are made. Its fruit, which is eaten, is like that of the olive of Elvas, in Portugal; and, when ripe, it is the colour of red wine. The juice of the fruit is also of the same colour. A decoction of the root used in a hip bath is a remedy for hemorrhoids, and checks purgations (anti-cathartic?) Cut up into small pieces and strung on a thread, like beads, it is worn round the neck, as a remedy for ophthalmia.
Mutarára.—This tree is found principally in the sand-hills of Muxem. The flower is very small, and of the same colour as the leaves. The fruit is of the size of the Agriote (sour cherry), and of a yellow colour, when ripe and fit to be eaten; the skin is very coarse, the seed round, and the colour of red-wine. A decoction of the root is used for rinsing the mouth, as a cure for toothache. The stems being straight and elastic, the negroes use them in making those bows which they call Uta.
Mupanda-panda.—A decoction of the root of this tree, made into pulp, is applied in the shape of a poultice, as a remedy for chest diseases.
Chirussa.—The flower is yellow, and similar to that of casula cheirosa. The fruit is like the apple-seed. By rubbing the body with the dried leaves heated, a copious perspiration is produced, which arrests fever. A decoction of the bark pounded is used in a hip-bath, as a remedy for tenesmus.
Mutacha.—The flower is small, and of the colour of the dried rose. The fruit is very sweet, and of the size of the small olive; when ripe it assumes a yellow colour, and it is then fit to be eaten. When dry the bark is reduced to flour, and mixed with the flour of Indian corn; it is then used as a poultice. A decoction of the bark is used for rinsing the mouth, as a cure for toothache. A decoction of the bark, when drank, is a remedy for hemorrhage of the smaller veins. A decoction of the bark and the root is used as a cure for hernia.
Tussi, called by the natives of India “Curo.”—The fruit of this tree is in the form of very long pods, within which there is a species of cotton or down. The natives of the country and Banyans attribute to it the same effects and virtues as cinchona, and therefore give a decoction of the bark to those who have fever, which is also used as a healing wash for wounds.