The dried or fresh bark is coarsely crushed then simmered gently in water for about fifteen minutes, before being filtered. This preparation, reported in several East African traditions, was consumed in small quantities and for a limited duration. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Fresh bark is pounded to obtain a coarse paste, sometimes moistened with a little water or concentrated decoction, then applied directly to the affected area. This external application was reserved for intact skin or superficial irritations. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Zanha africana grows wild in wooded savannas and open forests of East and southern Africa; it is rarely found cultivated or sold outside its native range, mainly through local traditional healers.
The bark is traditionally harvested during the dry season, a period when the tree is considered most rich in active principles according to local practitioners.