Zulu African Sacred Plant Lore – Tshwala Bezinyoni
[level-module3]
PLANT LORE
 |
 |
Zulu Name TSHWALA BEZINYONI English Name Wild Dagga |
HABITAT AND BOTANY – Grows all over grasslands across South Africa.
PARTS USED – The leaves, stems, flowers and sometimes the roots.
PREDOMINANT MALE or FEMALE ESSENCE – Predominantly male.
MEDICINE SACRED COLOUR –RED – IMITHI EBOMOVU, GREEN – IMITHI ELUHLAZA
PHYSICAL BODY HEALING – The leaves are usually boiled and used in a decoction for a huge variety of ailments. These ailments vary from; boils eczema, allergies, rashes, skin disease, and acne. This medicine is recognized for its ability to reduce scarring. Internally this muthi is used for coughs and colds, influenza, bronchitis, asthma. It has also been known to help with high blood pressure and headaches. It also seems to have an antiviral action and can be used in the treatment of viral hepatitis. It has also been known to help with epilepsy.
[/level-module3]
MIND AND EMOTIONS HEALING – Mentally Tshwala Bezinyoni has a sedative effect; it calms the mental process and over assertive mental activity, this in turn aids an individual with stress and anxiety. It helps the mind to focus on what is important in the immediate. Emotionally this muthi is uplifting and can dispel melancholy. It contains a huge amount of Sun energy especially with its deep connection to the birds which thrive on the nectar. It is through this connection that it can dispel weariness and energize an individual. This is important in helping someone recover emotionally from a serious illness.
It works with the heart emotionally; helping to clear blocks and dense emotional energy which may restrict or congest the heart and expression from the heart center. It also speaks through the root chakra; it has a deep earth connection as well as Sun connection which enables you to stay grounded and rooted. It is also through this connection that it can help with Earth healing when planted in environmentally damaged areas.
[level-module3]
SPIRITUAL HEALING – This medicine is excellent in aiding meditation and the raising of an individuals vibration. Through the spiral/vortex nature of the plants growth and its multifaceted flowering system it holds the vibration of outwardly expanding energy. The flowers look like ascending crowns or fountains of orange and this also indicates its raised nature. When using this plant in meditation it supports you in moving your way through your own ‘flowering crowns’ each one being associated with the energy body system. Once again through its connection to the sky and heavens, its aids the ‘deeper knowing’ in all individuals; the nectar of the Gods and Goddesses.
Due to its vibrational nature, the flowers are excellent in promoting ‘dream sleep.
ZULU SHAMANISM or SANGOMA LORE
For the Sangoma or Zulu shaman, Tshwala Bezinyoni is one of the most useful and widely used plants for healing. It has so many uses for anything from the common cold to affairs of the heart that it is much loved by the Sangomas and people alike.
Its Umoya content makes it energizing and potent influencing all areas of life, and its rich association with the Sun bird Ncwincwi (humming bird) connects it deeply to the Sky beings, the sun god & goddess and the holy ones of the sky.
Its rainbow colours deeply connect it to the Sangoma through the power of the rainbow which is seen as the fertile gift of the heavenly goddess. So the Tshwala Bezinyoni is blessed with the same healing powers as the Sangoma.
The Sun bird cannot resist the flowers and nectar of the plant and hence it got its Zulu name of ‘beer of the bird’.
The plant has a mildly sedative effect and this is considered potent by the Sangomas in aiding a state of Amambhulo or calm contemplation where the ancestors can be called to be present. However it is not commonly used for this purpose.
The beauty of the plant stand out at the time of flowering towards the end of summer, its Orange flowers providing a flash of colour as summer comes to an end.
Tshwala Bezinyoni has the ability to uplift you when you are down or anxious, and for the Sangoma provides all round well-being to patients.
It offers protection energetically and for the Sangoma this is valued greatly; it is through its immense amount of Umoya that can clear the way.
A sprinkling of the infused herb in the homestead will clear negative energy but also keep snakes at bay, which can be a problem in some parts of South Africa.
The flowers for the Sangoma speak of creation, it is a medicine which is part of the green medicines and the ancient gifts which came with the world when it was young.
As a red muthi it is a bridger and restorer of balance, taking away that which is in excess.
TYPES OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
INTELEZI – Sprinkling medicine/muthi.
PHALAZA – Emetic medicines/muthi.
ISISHUNQISO – Burning medicine/muthi.
PHUZA – Drinking medicines/muthi.
TASKS – TSHWALA BEZINYONI Sacred Plant Lore
Please give your answers in written form to your mentor with the other homework on your hand in date for module.
Go in to meditation in your Makhosini with your tree field of energy as described in Umoya shaman tree energy field section; call upon your ancestors. Ask them to tell you more about Tshwala Bezinyoni’s connection to the ancestors or amadlozi. Thank the ancestors, check your field is flowing smoothly and return from meditation.
Do not worry if what you receive at this time doesn’t make complete sense; part of learning to communicate with the ancestors is to learn not to edit and judge less what you receive from them.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date
Go in to meditation in your Makhosini with your tree field of energy as described in Umoya shaman tree energy field section; ask the ancestors to let you feel the presence of the consciousness of the Tshwala Bezinyoni plant. Ask the ancestors and the Tshwala Bezinyoni to tell you more its plant consciousness as connected to the sky beings. Thank the ancestors, check your field is flowing smoothly and return from meditation.
Do not worry if what you receive at this time doesn’t make complete sense; part of learning to communicate with the ancestors is to learn not to edit and judge less what you receive from them.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date
Take some of the impepho which will have been sent to you and light it in the Indengezi in your Makhosini. Then place some of the Tshwala Bezinyoni on top and allow it to smoke with the impepho. Waft some of the smoke towards you and allow you’re self to feel its energy. Then clear your whole body and energy with the smoke, placing more of the herb on the impepho if necessary.
Give thanks to the ancestors and the plant when you have finished.
Write notes of your experience around the act and send to mentor on hand in date
Go in to meditation in your Makhosini with your tree field of energy as described in Umoya shaman tree energy field section; ask the ancestors to tell you how this herb may be able to help you with your grounding and sun connection at this time. Ask the ancestors and the Tshwala Bezinyoni to tell you more about its relationship to the earth and balance of earth and sky. Thank the ancestors, check your field is flowing smoothly and return from meditation.
Do not worry if what you receive at this time doesn’t make complete sense; part of learning to communicate with the ancestors is to learn not to edit and judge less what you receive from them.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date
Soak a large pinch of the Tshwala Bezinyoni in some cold water over night and leave it in your Makhosini.
In the morning burn some impepho and give thanks to the ancestors; then place your hand in the Tshwala Bezinyoni water and ask them to empower the medicine for cleansing of physical space. Once you have done this, take the medicine water and use it to clear any space in your home that you feel is dense or to full of energy. Sprinkle the medicine in these areas and use all of the medicine.
Write notes of your experience around the act and send to mentor on hand in date
Go in to meditation with your tree field of energy as described in Umoya shaman tree energy field section; ask the ancestors to be present. Ask the ancestors and the Tshwala Bezinyoni to tell you what ‘SPECIFICALLY FOR YOU’ kind of medicine it has to offer you where you are at this time…
Do not worry if what you receive at this time doesn’t make complete sense; part of learning to communicate with the ancestors is to learn not to edit and judge less what you receive from them.
Write notes and send to mentor on hand in date
[/level-module3]
Copyright Sarah Wager January 2011
