Eland's Sour fig. Sally-my-handsome

Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L.Bolus Aizoaceae. Eland's Sour fig. Sally-my-handsome, its other common name is a corruption of Mesembryanthemum (acinaciforme) which wasa the genus ascribed to it by Linnaeus (1753) Succulent perennial. Distribution: South Africa. Antibacterial compounds have been isolated from it, it is rich in tannins. The leaf sap is used to treat infections of the mouth and throat. In South African ‘muthi’ medicine, the sap is used as a gargle for sore throats; for burns; eczema; tuberculosis; dysentery; toothache; thrush; stomach upsets and wounds. The fruit of the yellow-flowered, related species, C. edulis, also known as Hottentot fig, is made into a jam and put in curries. The sap is mucilaginous and when applied to a burn probably works by drying to provide a thin protective layer, preventing bacteria from reaching the burnt surface. Infection of burns is the commonest problem in their management and while in modern medicine an aerosol spray of a varnish-like material is used, the saps of various plants, including the aloes, are staple domestic remedies (van Wyk, 2000).