Rhus pauciflorus - Utiyi

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Roots are used by diviners to induce trances.

Leaves have been used in the treatment of psychiatric disturbances.

The root is also used in an ubulawu mix. The ingestion of Ubulawu plays a fundamental role in the relationship between the diviner and the ancestors. Some types are reported to be psychoactive and their use, together with the ritual complex (song and dance), often results in altered states of consciousness with accompanying visionary phenomena such as visions or lucid dreams relating to the ancestors. The potential psychoactivity of some of the ubulawu plants may account for the curing (psychotherapeutic) of the `intwaso' condition and the reported contact with spiritual entities.

There is a particular `ubulawu' mix that has Rhus pauciflorus `utiyi' as an ingredient.The other three plants used in this mix are

Helinus integrifolius `ubhubhubhu',

Maesa lanceolata `umagupu', and

Synaptolepis kirkii `uvuma omhlope'.

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