Roots are used for many purposes in Zimbabwe including to arouse or prevent possession from spirits.

Bark decoctions are taken as teas twice a day to strengthen the heart.

Widely used for abdominal pain.
The bark and roots are used to make a cleansing medicine for the stomach.
The Vhavenda use bark for headache, toothache, and backache.

The `Marula' fruit is made into the world's 2nd most widely sold liqueur (called Amarula).
The natural fruit juice is also used in certain Shangaan and Thonga religious ceremonies.
Unknown parts are also used by the Shangaan to facilitate divination (probably the bark).

The Zulu's have multiple uses for this plant including to arouse or prevent possession from spirits, to facilitate divination, to prevent possession by evil spirits, an intoxicant, magical purposes, ritual cleansing, a tonic for weakness, and to transfer qualities of fertility & tenderness.

The fruit falls off the tree and ripens on the ground. It is collected and taken home, eaten or used to make a beer called `bukanye'. The pips are removed from the fruit by boiling it in water. The skin comes off and is discarded and the flesh can be separated from the pip. The pips are stored for use later and the flesh is usually eaten or allowed to ferment to make beer.