Wenslus Murape
Latwell Nyangu
PEOPLE are risking their lives by using Mubvee, also known as the sausage tree, to try and treat cancer, the national representative of traditional medicines in Zimbabwe, Dr Gilbert Chavhunduka, has said.
He said Mubvee was largely used for manhood enhancement and treatment of some skin diseases and those advertising that it can treat cancer were selling patients a dangerous dummy.
Reports have emerged that a number of people are abusing Mubvee to treat the wrong diseases.
Dr Chavhunduka said many were risking their lives.
“We urge people not to rely on herbs from anyone who is doing it for followers and people should seek the advice of herbalists and traditional healers.
“Mubvee is not meant to heal all those diseases being advertised, they must stop collecting those seeds.
“People are dying due to failure to deal with these diseases. Last week I heard about someone who died after taking the seeds after being told they could treat cancer.
“In Zimbabwe and some parts of Africa, Mubvee is mostly for manhood enlargement not treating cancer like what is being advertised,” he said.
Although the pulp of the unripe fruit is highly poisonous if ingested, a specially prepared fruit extract has historically been used as an effective treatment for skin conditions, fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema, and boils.
These traditional uses have been backed up by some studies conducted by herbalists and medical doctors.
“The tree is being abused, if people fail to use it properly they will die.
“The story behind this hype was through a certain guy who was advertising his own nursery and purported to say, the seed helps treat cancer. Unfortunately, someone died recently after mixing the seeds which should not be exposed to the sun as it produces a poisonous substance.
“People need to know how to prepare these herbs and people must stop treating themselves.
“Mubvee is a fruit only for manhood purposes or maybe skin treatment and anything else outside that is wrong use.”
Online Reporter