Interestingly, men would tie parts of the tree around their wrists before they go hunting, believing the tree’s powerful properties would bring them luck and sharper skill.
With trees growing indigenously along the East Coast of the continent – from Kenya down to Mozambique, Tanzania and finally South Africa – there are seemingly good reasons why the wild chestnut tree has been popular with local communities for centuries. It is valued for not only its beauty and shade abilities, but also the useful fruit and bark that are extracted and used as skincare ingredients.
– The scientific name is Calodendrum capense seed oil, but it is commonly known as Yangu Oil or Umbaba (Xhosa) or Muvhaha (Venda).