Alepidea amatymbica- iQwili, iKhatazo

Alepidea amatymbica, also known as larger tinsel flower known to South African Natives as iqwili in Xhosa, ikhathazo in Zulu and lesoko in Sotho is a vigorous growing, erect plant and can reach up to 2 m in height on the grasslands. The stalk of the flower is hollow, with copious amounts of small white flowers arranged in dense, rounded heads at the top.

Alepidea amatymbica is widespread in the summer rainfall grasslands of southern Africa, and up the east coastline as far as Zimbabwe, and northwards into Kenya & Ethiopia.

The dry rhizome have a subtle earthy aroma they roots are used in the ubulawu herbal concoction, smoked, or powdered and taken as snuff by diviners and healers to assist in divination and communication with the ancestors. Smoking the roots, results in sedation and vivid dreams. Elderly people powder the dry rhizome and take it as a snuff, or smoke the roots for headache. The rhizome is carried as a lucky charm, and is used for colds, asthma, and flu.

The roots are also used as a smoking admixture to Marijuana, and the smoke of Alepidea amatymbica disguises the smell of the Marijuana herb. Smoking the roots should result in sedation and vivid dreams. The rhizome is often carried as a lucky charm.

Alepidea amatymbica is also used for self-fortification and as protection against evil spirits. According to some traditions, the divining bones of ancestors are washed with ikhathazo.

The rhizomes and roots contain high concentrations of several diterpenoids of the kaurene type. The major compounds are dehydrokaurenoic acids and kaurenoic acids, of which ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid is usually present in the greatest quantity.