• Also known as vygie in Afrikaans or sour fig in English, this fleshy succulent is a member of the so called mesemb family.
• Grows as an easy growing, ground covering succulent in a large range of conditions including; hot and dry environments and poor soils.
• The fleshy leaves contain a juice that is astringent in quality and mildly anti septic making the sour fig a commonly used medicinal plant in South Africa.
• Medicinally the triangular leaves are crushed into a pulp and used internally, as a gargle for mouth and throat infections, and for stomach complaints such as dysentery. In the past the plant has also been used for the treatment of tuberculosis.
• Topically the succulent can be used for a range of complaints simply by breaking the leaf and applying to the affected area. Uses include treatment for mild burns such as sunburn, insect bites, dry lips, cuts and scrapes and oral and vaginal thrush.
• The ripe fruits of the plant which are found beneath the flower are sometimes made into jams and curries.

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