Pinatta

Pinatta; Psoralea pinnata

If there is one herb for stress, and anxiety that puts all others to shame, this is the one. Not even Sceletium tortuosum has the anti-stress, anti-anxiety properties and is as fast acting as the Psoralea pinnata.

We fail to recognize the Khoisan’s contribution to herbal medicine, specifically the introduction of famous herbs such as the devil’s claw, sutherlandia and Sceletium. Psoralea pinnata forms an integral part of the Khoisan’s medicinal herbal chest and it deserves the same respect and attention as its more famous counterparts. Importantly, Psoralea pinnata is often chosen over Sceletium, especially for younger patients. It is particularly chosen for students undergoing stressful times.

Psoralea pinnata is given to students of herbal medicine in the Cape. Explanation: for “only when these students are free of emotional issues, can they focus, learn and enter our world without preconceived ideas”.

Distribution:

Psoralea pinnata is a fairly widespread species growing from the Cape Peninsula eastwards and northwards through to KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and Mphumalanga.

Psoralea pinnata is one of the earliest South African plants to have been cultivated in Europe. In 1690 it was growing in England from seeds collected in the Cape.

Medicinal uses:

Unrecorded by the western world for its medicinal value, Psoralea pinnata is far more effective than Sceletium tortuosum and commonly used for emotional issues including stress, fear, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Like the Xhosa and Zulu, the Khoisan use it as a supplement for cancer, diabetes and herpes patients.

More: www.herbalafrica.co.za/pinnatap.html