Common Guarri

Common Guarri (Euclea undulata) is a valuable medicinal plant in southern Africa, with nearly all parts utilized for treating various ailments. It is a sturdy, evergreen, bushy shrub or small tree, with a height of 3–7m, often forming dense mounds. The leaves are small (2-7cm), stiff, leathery, dark green, with margins that can be flat or wavy. The bark is grey, scaly, with reddish-brown granules when young. It produces small, white to creamy, fragrant flowers, borne on short spikes, usually from late spring to autumn. This is followed by small, single-seeded rounded berries, which are fleshy, reddish brown becoming black when ripe. The berries are edible but not very tasty.

Common names: small-leaved guarri, common guarri (Eng.); kleinblaarghwarrie, gewone ghwarrrie (Afr.); bergebenholzstrauch (Ger.); gwanxe, inkunzane, umshekizane, umbophanyamazane (Zulu)

Traditional Medicinal Uses:

• Roots & Bark: Used for headaches, toothaches, body pains, heart ailments, and as purgatives or enemas, even during pregnancy. Root preparations can induce vomiting or have laxative effects.
• Leaves: Infused for diarrhea, stomach problems, and as gargles for tonsillitis, throat ailments, and even skin diseases.
• Whole Plant: Extracts show potential for diabetes, bronchitis, asthma, urinary tract infections, and venereal diseases.

Growing Common Guarri

Indoor Sowing: Spring and Summer

Direct Sowing: Spring and Summer

• Fill a tray or container with seed-raising mix or a mixture of coarse river sand, fine-milled bark and compost.
• Press the mixture down in the container and level it.
• Press the seeds lightly into the soil mixture and cover with a very thin layer of the medium.
• Keep the mix consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Place the container in a bright spot, avoiding harsh, direct sun.
• Germination can take long, so patience is required.