Relhania calycina

Relhania calycina is a fragrant, aromatic asteraceous shrub that has long been cut and stripped in southern Africa to brew a strong, bitter tea. In the Cape and adjacent districts of South Africa, folk practitioners steep roughly 10–15 g of fresh or dried leaves and tender stems in 1 L of water for at least 15 minutes; the resulting tonic is taken in small cups for colds, coughs, digestive discomfort, and fevers (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962). Among the !Xo and Khoe peoples of the Kalahari, 2–3 cm of leaf strip is soaked in hot water for a shorter infusion (10–12 minutes) and used as a daytime pick‑me‑up and mild stomachic; the same plant part is also powdered and moistened to make a poultice for local swellings (C. J. Smith & Louton 2016). San healers of the Karas and Southern Cape regions traditionally prepare a decoction by boiling 1.5–2 g of dried leaves with a splash of milk for 20–25 minutes; the strained liquid is given in small doses for fever, colic, and bronchial irritation (Schafer & Nel 2015).

To make a single, safe cup of R. calycina tea, combine 1–2 g of chopped dried leaves with 200 mL of freshly boiled water, cover, and steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain and sip slowly. Many traditions take small cups over several hours rather than a single large dose, and most practitioners advise moderation in both frequency and quantity. The plant is classed as “mildly toxic” in some South African compendia, and pregnant or nursing people should avoid it; do not use the plant in any form if you have known Asteraceae allergy (Watt & Breyer‑Brandwijk 1962; B‑Ellis 2019).

The aroma and astringency of the tea are consistent with well‑documented constituents of this species. Recent phytochemical studies of R. calycina report sesquiterpene lactones such as augalactone and costuslactone, along with monoterpenes (camphor and borneol) and flavonoids like luteolin and apigenin derivatives (Fernandez & van Wyk 2019). These compounds plausibly underpin the plant’s use for respiratory and digestive complaints—bitter sesquiterpenes are commonly associated with tonic and antimicrobial effects, while camphor and borneol contribute to decongestant and mild antispasmodic activity.

Today, R. calycina remains a locally available Cape herbal tonic, sold by South African herb sellers under the name “cancerbush,” and modest research continues into its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, including antifungal assays (D. A. L. Marais 2019). At the same time, many practitioners emphasize restraint and suitability checks before drinking, and the plant’s long folk history persists in traditional community care and small‑scale commercial teas.

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