Medicinal Plants of Namibia

! Governmental(protection(status:(( F.&sycomorus!is!protected!by!the!Forestry!Ordinance13.!!! ( Indigenous(medicinal(use:!! The!Kwanyama!have!distilled!the!raw!fig!in!water!and!allowed!it!to!ferment!to! produce!an!alcoholic!beverage35.!!This!beverage!is!more!potent!than&H.&petersiana& wine!so!it!has!been!termed!brandy35.!!The!fruit!are!edible!but!excessive! consumption!of!the!raw!fruit!can!lead!to!digestive!upset47.!!The!bark!and!latex!have! been!used!by!the!Kwanayama!to!treat!illnesses35,!47.!!A!combination!of!the!gum!and! pulverized!bark!in!a!decoction!can!help!chest!congestion35.!!This!combination!treats! diarrhea!as!well47.!!The!Kwanyama!have!also!employed!topical!application!of!the! gum!to!inflammation35.!!Reportedly!has!been!use!as!topical!application!of!decoction! of!both!fresh!and!dry!Ficus!leaves!to!treat!dermatitis!for!one!month9.!!According!to! the!Kwanyama!an!infusion!of!the!leaves!can!be!consumed!for!sore!throat35.( ( ( (

Medicinal Plants of Namibia | Page 26