History and Name
It is said that Imphepho was the first medicine that was shown to the healers. When they started to use this medicine, it guided them to find and how to use other medicines and so they started to learn about herbs.
Imphepho is valued by traditional medicine men in Africa who use it as a smudging herb to communicate with ancestors and calm evil spirits. Imphepho is believed to help repel negative energy, and it does the same for insects. Breathing the smoke over time can have a sedating effect, which might actually offer assistance when a shaman enters a trancelike state to perform his work. This is much like the way frankincense is used in Christian practice. Many people do not realize that frankincense too, has sedative properties. Some theorize that the breathing of frankincense has contributed to some of the heightened religious experiences Christians have reported. There are other historical cases of incense plants working this way as well, and in fact, these types of experiences also seem to explain why certain plants or their resins have been chosen to be paired with spiritual practice.
It is a very powerful plant and its medicinal uses are the subject of scientific study. It is the most widely used medicinal plant in South Africa. The word Helicrysum is derived from the Greek “Helios” meaning Sun and “chrysos” meaning gold. Most of the flowers of this plant are a golden yellow colour.
The name Imphepho refers to a number of African species in the genus, helichrysum
Use and Benefits
Imphepho is rich in oils and flavonoids that likely contribute to its various special properties.
The smoke of the herb is used as a sacred incense or smudge used to call the ancestors in and invoke trance states, cleanse energy and as an offering when praying. The smoke is also sedative.
Traditionally Imphepho is burned on a potsherd when offered to the ancestors. Sometimes the ashes of the burnt plant are used, which creates new chemicals that have additional benefits.
Imphepho also has a lot of traditional medicinal uses, especially as a topical dressing to wounds. Using Imphepho topically makes sense if it is true that Imphepho has antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties (analgesic). It can also be used to make an anti-septic cream because of its natural insecticides. Some people say Imphepho is a good herb for those suffering from anxiety or who need help getting to bed. It also has a positive influence on the liver, bladder, heart and kidneys.
It can also be used to clear the skin. A wash can be made for wounds, rashes, spots, skin ailments and fungal infections. It is also regenerative when used on scars. It is sometimes added to the steam bathes used by sangomas to cleanse away negative energies and to protect. Wounds are washed with infusions of Imphepho to clean and sterilise them and a dressing of leaves are placed on the wounds.
New born babies are washed in Imphepho to cleanse and protect them.
The herb is stuffed in bedding for both humans and animals to repel insects.
The smoke is inhaled for headache.
Tea is made from the leaves for fever, headaches, coughs, colds and flu and also to cleanse the liver and kidneys. For HIV patients Imphepho tea is a must.
In woman’s health it is used for menstrual pains.
Imphepho also appears to have oneirogenic activity, meaning the herb assists with lucid dreaming, dream activity and dream recall. This is similar to other African herbs such as silene capensis and entada rheedii.
An aromatherapy / medicinal oil extract is now becoming available. Medical research has shown that this plant has huge potential for medicinal uses as a possible cure for Tuberculosis and herpes.
The parts of the plant used are mainly the leaves, stems and flowers and sometimes the roots.
Where western medicine is limited, Imphepho is also used for more serious diseases such as tuberculosis, herpes and HIV. Its anti-viral properties have yet to undergo any significant research, but Imphepho could also open up new avenues for Western medicine too as we begin to notice the natural value this region of the world has to offer.
Harvesting
When entering the area where one intends to harvest muthi (medicine) – you must always ask permission of the guardian or grandfather – which may be a very big or old tree growing nearby. Before a plant is cut or dug out – it must be asked if it agrees to be muthi (medicine), and one must explain to the plant what and for whom it is needed.
Making muthi (medicine) starts with how and which plant you take. Two of the same plants may grow next to each other but only one of them may be right for muthi (medicine). Traditionally some Imphepho, snuff, tobacco or a red or white bead is given as an offering or exchange to the plant spirits when harvesting medicines.
The plants are usually wild harvested and platted in garlands or tied in bundles before drying.
There are about 245 species in Southern Africa. (600 worldwide) The most popular ones for muthis (medicines) are ones growing near rivers, water or on mountains. The most common ones harvested for medicine (all referred to as Imphepho) are nudifolium (mostly used for medicinal purposes), petiolare, cymosum and odoratissimum (mostly used as incense).
When medicine plants are harvested it is very important that it is done in a respectful and sustainable way
Specific Information
Helichrysum petiolare is grown for its silvery, densely-felted, aromatic foliage and trailing habit. A soft, vigorous, woody-based sub-shrub, it grows to half a meter tall and spreads to a diameter of about a meter. It flowers in its second year. A slight licorice aroma may emanate from the foliage in the heat of the summer. It is short lived and needs replacing every 2 years. In cold climates it can be grown as an annual but it will not reach the size of plants that have grown for more than one season. Cultivars with variegated and chartreuse leaves are available.
Helichrysum petiolare is listed as an invasive weed in the state of California (USA), where seedlings have escaped from gardens.
Planting Suggestions
Kooigoed is best planted in full sun in well-drained soil and is tolerant of poor soils. It spreads rapidly and should be cut back lightly at regular intervals, rather than cutting back to dead wood at the end of the season, when it may not easily recover . Helichrysum petiolare requires occasional to infrequent irrigation and seems to thrive on a lack of care. More regular watering may be needed in hot, dry inland regions. The plant is susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. This plant can be propagated from cuttings or from seed sown in autumn (March).
Namaste
Do you use Imphepho? How do you use it? How has it helped you? Do share your experience in the comments section below.
I have just bought a dry herb vaporizer and doing research on commonly found herbs in my area. Thamk you for this article. Also feel free to email me with any suggestions if you know of any good herbs i could find in the eastern cape. Thanks again
I made a macerated oil with imphepho and it definitely healed up a nasty cut fast, even though I heard you shouldn’t put oil in an open wound. I can’t find anything on infusing imphepho in oil though. Do people do this? Seems to work.
I do not see why that should not have worked, oil infusions for medicine have been around for ages. Great thinking on your part.
Love and light
I bought it yesterday and used it today. The sedative effect is serious. I am so calm… I inhaled the smoke and it tickled my nose upon entry…
I’ve been struggling with anxiety and insomnia for years. My Psychiatrist put me on anti depressants and mood stabilizers. I wouldn’t function or sleep without my meds. Until I tried boiling impepho and started drinking it as a tea before I go to bed.
It’s been a few weeks and I haven’t had the crippling anxiety, insomnia and paranoia I used to have.
I harvested mine from home in the Eastern Cape, I don’t know whether it works because I spoke to it when harvesting. I cried and explained why I needed it to help me.
I don’t know why I thought of boiling and drinking it as tea instead of burning it only as I used to.
I am happy it works.
Firstly, thank you so much for your comment. It is so lovely to hear that Imphepho has been helping you. It most certainly helps to communicate with nature why we need her help and ask if we can harvest from her and give thanks for allowing us to harvest and for the help we get.
Maybe, Mother Nature spoke to you and told you to boil and make tea instead of burn as she knew why you needed her help.
Love and light
Hi i went to a traditional chemist to get cleansing bath powders and the chemist put imphepho in my plastic by mistake .
Now i dont know what to do with it or what does this mean
Namaste,
Maybe it was not a mistake, how do you know it was a mistake?
Did they say it was?
Use the Impheho in the bath to help cleanse.
I’m struggling with the same thing and on a whole lot of anti depressant and anxiety meds. I’ve never tried Imphepho in my life and have no idea what to say or who to call on when using it?
Anyway, Q: do you have to call on anyone when boiling the tea? And please help with boiling instructions.
Your post really gives me hope. This crippling anxiety is really annoying.
Namaste Asanda,
For boiling Imphepho tea, boil it as you would normal loose tea leaves. Finely crush your dried Imphepho leaves, add 1 teaspoon per 250ml of hot water.
If you don’t want to crush them I find adding three/four to hot water just right.
Make sure to taste test it for strength, the longer the leaves are in the water the stronger the tea.
Sending love and light your way to help with your anxiety.
Hi Charnsine thank you for all the vital information regarding impepo, I will appreciate it give you my details si you can here on sending me more on this information ,
My advice would be to meditate with Imphepho to connect to it on a deeper level to learn from it directly. That is the best way to learn of plants; from them.
Hi
I’m also struggling with anxiety to the point where it is affecting my academics. And the nightmares I’m having Lord, I’m even scared to go to bed at night.
I would like to know if you use impepho as tea, do you put sugar?
Glad to hear that it has worked for you❤️
I make soap with it and use it to communicate with my guides and pray.
I get mine in town and it is often mixed with other plants and grass, therefore I’m scared to drink it.
Do you mind sharing some of your supply with me please. I will reimburse you
I generally go out and pick me own, or I buy from Amber Moon in Gordons bay.
Hi. I am so glad I saw this article. I am married to a Xhosa man. He has been burning Imphepho and I was not understanding this. Having read this I am really enlightened by this article.
Namaste,
I am so pleased to hear that you have a greater understanding of Imphepho and its uses.
Love and light
Namaste
I have been shown a white impepho on my dreams..And reading the above comments I can’t wait to start using impepho for clarifications of my dreams and purification..
Love & light
Morning
I’ve been struggling with menstrual pains for years. I made imphepho tea and drank it, the pains have completely stopped.
I burn imphepho ( Phefo in Sesotho) to Cleanse my house and for positive energy.
It gives great joy to get so much enlighten , I have also been in hailing it’s steam with some others herbs to Boost my immune system or to chase Corona away
Also when I want to engage with my ancestors I burn it.
Nature will always prevails, and we give thanks to the Most High!!
Hi
I bought dried impepo from the muti shop does it work for boiling and drinking or should it be fresh from the plant. And how is it planted please help .
Dried is perfect for tea.
Dried works just as well as fresh. As for being planted and grown at home, I would need to research this as I have not tried to do so. Or you could do some research on it.
I took a piece from my sister yesterday…. I forget my dreams alot so I will start to make the tea…
Feeling Refreshed, thanks for this article
Thank you.
I burn imphepo every morning when I pray, spiritually I connect with my ancestors, i experienced a lot of miracles since using the herd it calms me down
Ive got a lot of stress. Will impepho help me?
Thank you very much for this teaching. I forget my dreams a lot and i struggle to sleep. When do i burn it and can i take a bath with the tea?
Namaste,
You can use the Imphepho as a bath soak to help you relax and unwind. When making your bath put a few herbs into it, about a handful should be fine, they can either be put in loose or in a breathable bag so that they are not floating everywhere.
Hi can I burn mpepho while I am in my periods
Yes, you can.
Hi thanx for the info on using impepho I didn’t know dat you can also drink it as tea but I dream about my grandfather telling me to burn impepho after a long time i hv never seen my grandfather visiting me in a dream.I was very happy to see him but i was struggling to interpret what he was saying abt lighting impepho
This is an amazing blog. I use this to treat my anxiety and for a peaceful sleep.
I’m curious, how do I make the tea? I wanna try that.
You make tea with it the same way you would any other loose tea. Either boil some of it in a pot/kettle or just steep it in hot water and drink.
Hello can impepho help with spots on my face and clear visions of my dreams
What’s the name of impepho in English. I live in Europe and dearly need it
Botanical name: Helichrysum odoratissimum / Helichrysum petiolare
Provincial distribution : Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Western Cape
It is on the Red List of South African Plants
Thanx for the info