Pterocarpus angolensis is a species of teak native to southern Africa and is known by various names such as Kiaat, Mukwa and Muninga. It is also called Bloodwood, named after the wonderful deep red color of the tree sap. A severed trunk or damaged branch of a tree begins to drip with a dark red liquid, almost like a severed limb of an animal.
The sticky, reddish-brown juice seals the wound and promotes healing.
The cut off trunk of this tree immediately begins to become covered with “bloody” smudges, which makes the tree look like a severed limb of some giant animal.
In Africa, this red juice is traditionally used as a natural color for a wide variety of needs. It is, for example, mixed with animal fat and painted with this mixture of face and body.
Its magical properties are also believed to help get rid of blood-related problems, presumably due to its resemblance to it. The tree is also used to treat many ailments such as ringworm, stitching pains, vision problems, malaria, fever, stomach problems, and increases milk production in nursing mothers.
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The highest quality furniture is obtained from the wood itself. It is easy to saw and handle, and when dry it hardly changes in size. Its strength and durability make it an excellent material for boats, canoes and bathroom floors.
The “bleeding” tree grows from 12 to 18 meters in height, has a beautiful umbrella-shaped crown and blooms with yellow flowers.