Healing Properties of The 13 African Tree Essences

This essence enlightens the root chakra.

Affirmation: I am One with the Earth. I receive and share her abundance with gratitude. I am worthy of abundance.

Corresponding Colour: Red

Supportive Essences: The white stinkwood and the spike thorn essences may act as supportive essences to the milkwood essence – particularly if the milkwood essence is being used to address a long-standing imbalance and an “awareness crisis” has arisen. An awareness crisis is an intensification of negative feelings or old patterns of being. It is the soul’s way of calling our attention to these old blockages that need to be acknowledged, blessed and released.

The Milkwood

Sideroxylon inerme

Family: SAPOTACEAE

Learning about how this tree grows in nature, brings further appreciation of its essence:

Milkwoods are hardy, slow-growing trees with deep-green, leathery leaves and rough grayish-brown bark. Rarely are they found with a straight trunk. Instead their gnarled, sprawling branches create sheltering thickets that are home to a variety of wild life. By creating dense, low-crowing stands, milkwoods are one of the few trees able to withstand the salt-laden winds that batter South Africa’s southern coastline. Although also occurring inland, milkwoods are found mainly along the coast from the Cape Peninsula to northern Zululand. In days gone by, the site of a farmyard was often determined by the presence of a milkwood. Their thick, umbrella-shaped crowns created a perfect ‘roof’ for the meat chests that pre-dated refrigerators. Amazingly, all the milkwood trees at Platbos are genetically the same tree. Here they do not propagate themselves by seed dispersal – instead, when a milkwood grows old and falls over, a “new” tree sprouts from the fallen trunk. It is as though one enormous, ancient tree is slowly walking through the forest!

The delicate, pale-golden flowers of the milkwood are borne in clusters along the ends of the branches and they have an unusual sour-smell. The flowers are followed by juicy, dark magenta-coloured fruit that are enjoyed by birds and baboons. Once peeled of their outer skin, they have a grape-like taste. The milky latex, which gives the tree its common name, makes the leaves and the bark unpalatable to grazing animals. A superficial scratch to the bark reveals a bright red under surface – the colour of fresh blood. In the old days, trees that “bled” where held as particularly sacred trees.

The wood is very hard, heavy and strong. In the past, it was used for ship building, bridges, mills and ploughs. It is very durable even when wet and it shrinks little with drying. Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

Traditionally the milkwood has a number of medicinal uses: the roots have been used to aid the healing of fractured bones and an infusion of the bark is said to dispel nightmares.

The milkwood essence has been amazing – it has certainly helped me to shift a very important issue of grounding – to do mainly with trust – and it has allowed me to get in touch with a part of myself which has been incredible. A lot of fear came up which obviously was very deeply seated. Thank you so much and I must commend you on the amazing work that you are doing. – Gretha, Quantum Healer

The milkwood essence is very helpful. I often wake in the early hours of the morning with a panicky, claustrophobic feeling. If I take the essence before I go to bed, I have found that I do not have this experience. Stanley, Psychologist

I have been using the Milkwood every day and was wondering why I was feeling increasingly lonely and sad and lost and having issues with friendships etc – till I realised duh! – this must be the awareness crisis you describe. It hasn’t been too comfortable, but I have had some hugely important insights and personal shifts, and am feeling a lot clearer today and somehow ‘held’ as well. I now have even more respect for the potency of the essences! – Fiona

The Milkwood Essence cleared the pain in my hip that was referring to the lower groin area and down my leg. It was gone within a day. – Monica, Domestic Worker

(milkwood bark was traditionally used for broken bones – so the essence is helpful here – this essence is very much to do with underlying structure and form; stability and grounding.)

I think the Milkwood made me look long and hard at boundary issues and the dangers of giving away your power and being over-obliging in order to please. Interesting, because I was expecting to feel immediately all warm and cosy and ‘one’ with everyone, but of course the emphasis is on wholeness first. I have been seeing that to relate truly to others, one must first know and accept oneself and be willing to be seen and heard and authentically oneself in relationships. I’m trying not to ignore my own needs all the time in favour of others and then moving into silent resentment at being taken for granted. All very complicated, but in essence (!pun!) I have been re-connecting with myself first, being more honest and holding my own ground more. There has been some quite startling fall-out with friends especially, but that’s ok – things have needed to change, and I feel quite protected and cheerful about it at the same time. Healthier (wholer) relationships will result. So the Milkwood has been both quite transformative and comforting. – Pippa

We welcome your feedback on the African Tree Essences: if you would like to share your experiences about this essence, please contact us.

Affirmation: I am perfect. I love and embrace the totality of my Being. I see and celebrate this perfection in others.

Corresponding Colour: Coral Pink

Supportive Essence: the Sea Guarrie may act as a supportive essence to the White Pear essence, particularly if the White Pear essence is being used to address a long-standing imbalance and an “awareness crisis” has arisen. An awareness crisis is an intensification of negative feelings or old patterns of being. It is the soul’s way of calling our attention to these old blockages that need to be acknowledged, blessed and released.

White Pear

Apodytes dimidiata

Family: ICACINACEAE

Learning about how this tree grows in nature, brings further appreciation of its essence:

A stately evergreen tree, the white pear can grow with a long straight trunk to over twenty meters in height under forest conditions; rocky and exposed sites result in small, gnarled and compact specimens. Easily adapted, it is found from the Cape Province in southern Africa to Ethiopia in the north.

The white pear bears a profusion of sweetly scented white flowers and their sweet vanilla scent perfumes the warm summer months. These are followed by the fruit – an asymmetrical black drupe with a red, fleshy appendage. The bark is a pale gray on young trees and it is often covered by white and orange lichens at Platbos. The branches and trunks turn a darker gray as the tree ages.

The timber of the white pear has been prized since the first days of colonization for its strong, elastic qualities. It was much sought after by wagon builders and as a result most of the country’s finest trees were logged out. It is a valued wood for furniture making and it has also been used for flooring, veneering, paneling, rifle stocks and engraving for printing. Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

Traditionally the root bark is used to treat intestinal parasites and the leaves are used as a remedy for ear infections. The white pear is also revered for it protective powers and it is said to ward off evil spirits. The Department of Biology at the University of Kwazulu Natal has identified compounds found in its leaves as a potential molluscicide for the snails involved in the lifecycle of bilharzia.

The white pear is a protected tree in South Africa. They make beautiful specimen, shade trees and they also prune well so can be grown as dense, screening hedges. The roots are non-invasive and they are fast growing trees.

This essence enlightens the sacral chakrum.

Affirmation: My inner feminine and masculine energies are in Divine balance. This harmony is reflected in all of my relationships.

Corresponding Colour: Orange

Supportive Essences: The Wild Olive essence may act as a supportive essence to the Rock Alder essence – particularly if the Rock Alder essence is being used to address a long-standing imbalance and an “awareness crisis” has arisen. An awareness crisis is an intensification of negative feelings or old patterns of being. It is the soul’s way of calling our attention to these old blockages that need to be acknowledged, blessed and released.

The Rock Alder

Canthium mundianum

Family: RUBIACEAE

Learning about how this tree grows in nature, brings further appreciation of its essence:

The rock alder is a small, semi-deciduous tree that reaches a height of about five meters. It is often found as a pioneer species, reclaiming areas of disturbed ground. The rock alder grows in evergreen forest, scrub land and rocky outcrops.

Rock alders are delicate in appearance, with pale, straight trunks that look and feel as if they have been carved from alabaster. They have an interesting growth form – arrow-straight with their side branches angled at 45° to the main trunk. In Spring the trees are studded with limey-green leaf buds. The small green and white flowers appear soon there after – they have an unusual, sweet fertile smell. The flowers are followed by asymmetrical, 2-lobed fruit that are black when ripe, and enjoyed by birds and baboons.

The timber is long lasting and makes good fence posts, furniture and small implements. It is resistant to borers and termites and is often associated with termite mounds. Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

The rock alder has great potential as a landscape tree, and is reminiscent of the European silver birch. They have a youthful and vibrant life force.

The black bark teaches us that being our authentic self is all that is required. By removing the need to be other than who we truly are, our life force is liberated. Paradoxically, in our humility we access our true, authentic power. By bringing our awareness to those parts of ourselves that we find shameful or unlovable, black bark may enable us to gain a greater understanding of unconscious patterns of behaviour that we then have the ability to transform. The black bark can assist us with centering and enhances the sense of feeling at home in your own skin.

Affirmation: My inner Light is a gift to the world. I shine my Light and rejoice in its beauty.

Corresponding Colour: Gold

Supportive Essence: The saffronwood essence may act as a supportive essence to the bladdernut essence – particularly if the bladder nut essence is being used to address a long-standing imbalance and an “awareness crisis” has arisen. An awareness crisis is an intensification of negative feelings or old patterns of being. It is the soul’s way of calling our attention to these old blockages that need to be acknowledged, blessed and released.

The Bladder Nut / Black Bark

Diospyros whyteana

Family: EBENACEAE

Learning about how this tree grows in nature, brings further appreciation of its essence:

The bladder nut is a small, evergreen tree occurring from the Western Cape of South Africa up to Ethiopia. It is found in forests, mountain slopes and shady mountain ravines. At Platbos, the bladder nut grows as a delicate, understory tree.

White, sweetly scented flowers appear in spring. Like bonneted young girls, the flowers seem to gaze shyly downwards. The red berries that follow are encased within a papery calyx – it is this inflated, bladder-like seed pod that gave rise to one of this tree’s common names, “bladder nut”. The fruits are enjoyed by many bird species and the attractive glossy-green leaves are browsed on by buck as well as livestock.

The new leaves are covered in silky, copper-coloured hairs that bring life and sparkle to the shadows. The bark of the bladdernut is an attractive dark, grayish-black. The wood is heavy and evenly grained and makes beautiful household articles and implements. Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

The seeds are roasted and used as a coffee substitute and the tree has a number of medicinal uses: bark extracts are used to treat infertility, impotency and menstrual pain, and leaf and root infusions are used to soothe skin rashes.

The bladder nut is a popular bonsai subject and it is used increasingly in landscaping – its neat form and attractive foliage make it a good choice for city gardens. It grows happily in the shade and in containers and is excellent as a clipped hedge.

The wild peach tree has a potent energy to assist with putting you in touch with your personal power. This tree fosters courage and confidence, and brings focus and clarity. Like a clear bright light, it shines the way forward. This is essence may help to balance indecision and procrastination. Wild peach may assist you in accessing the spiritual courage to speak your truth in the face of intimidation or oppression.

This essence enlightens the solar plexus chakra.

Affirmation: I have the courage to create my own reality, to speak my truth and to follow my own path. I trust my inner guidance.

Corresponding Colour: Yellow

Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

The hard pear reminds us that all that we experience is part of our spiritual evolution. Hard pear can bring a higher understanding of why things have unfolded the way that they have, and she can help us to see the positive in even a painful event. The hard pear’s energy is like a golden spiral – endlessly expanding upwards – like our spiritual growth. When we are able to see events from a spiritual platform of understanding, then it is possible to forgive others (or ourselves) of any wrong-doing. Unshed tears can then be processed and released so that self-healing can take place. The hard pear may be helpful for letting go of grudges and bitterness, and may benefit those suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Affirmation: I release all past judgements. I now see the perfection in all things.

Corresponding Colour: Lime Green

Supportive Essence: the cherry wood may act as a supportive essence to the hard pear essence, particularly if the hard pear essence is being used to address a long-standing imbalance and an “awareness crisis” has arisen. An awareness crisis is an intensification of negative feelings or old patterns for which a flower essence was being taken. It is the soul’s way of calling our attention to these old blockages that need to be acknowledged, blessed and released.

The Hard Pear

Olinia ventosa

Family: OLINIACEAE

Learning about how this tree grows in nature, brings further appreciation of its essence:

The hard pear, an evergreen tree, occurs in forests, coastal scrub and on exposed hillsides from the Cape Peninsula to just above the east coast of South Africa. Under forest conditions it has proven itself to be the fastest growing of all of the South African indigenous trees.

The bark is smooth and grayish in young trees, becoming rough and scaly with a reddish tinge as it ages. Hard pears are spectacular when in flower, for although small, the white flowers are borne in profusion and are sweetly scented. The red, berry-like fruits are eaten by a variety of birds, and are greatly relished by the baboons that visit Platbos. The fact that the seeds do not germinate easily is no doubt the reason why this beautiful tree remains relatively unknown to South African gardeners.

All parts of the tree smell strongly of almonds when crushed, and the dead wood gives off a glorious incense when burnt. The Xhosa name for this tree means “tree without embers”, indicating that in spite of its perfume, it does not make good firewood. The timber is hard, heavy and comparable to walnut. It was used for telegraph poles and wagon-making in the past. Today it is mainly used for furniture and musical instruments. Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

The hard pears were heavily exploited for their timber in days past at Platbos: as a result very few have single straight trunks – most are large and multi-stemmed – having re-sprouted after being felled. It is perhaps for this reason that of all the trees of Platbos, this was the tree that was most difficult to connect with initially. I needed to slowly build up a relationship of trust with the hard pear Deva. She teaches us the huge healing that comes from forgiveness.

The spike thorn tree has a powerful energy that speaks of “Christ Consciousness”. Spike thorn softens the heart and teaches the value of surrender. It encourages expression of the true self – so that one’s words become like song birds set free. The spike thorn maybalance feelings of limitation, bitterness and spiteful anger with compassion, devotion and a sense of being at one with the flow of life.

This essence enlightens the heart chakra.

Affirmation: I open my heart to love. Love transforms my world. I am Love.

Corresponding Colour: Green

Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

The sea guarrie tree holds a bubbly, sparkling energy – like liquid sunshine it offers a sense of renewal. Sea guarrie brings back colour, excitement and enthusiasm – this is an uplifting tree that energizes the creative spirit. It brings in new energy to inspire and lighten your journey and this essence may help to balance depression, apathy and indifference.

Affirmation: Love is the source of my inspiration and joy. I create miracles of great beauty in my life.

Corresponding Colour: Turquoise

Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

This essence enlightens the throat chakra.

Affirmation: Through silence and meditation, I connect with the Source: the well spring of my Soul. I am One with Life.

Corresponding Colour: Blue

Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

The saffronwood essence may be helpful for tender-hearted souls who are easily bruised by life, and for those who feel their emotions very deeply. The energy of this tree offers comfort for hurt, loss, grief or tearfulness. Saffronwood may assist with voicing one’s troubles or fears and may be beneficial for young children who suffer from home-sickness or who struggle to adjust to school. This essence may balance over-protective parents who are irrationally fearful for the safety of their children.

Affirmation: I trust in the wisdom of my heart. I trust in the process of life.

Corresponding Colour: Silver

Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

The pock ironwood essence may enhance receptivity and intuition, and may bring focus, clarity and perspective. This essence may assist us with seeing the “bigger picture” and with gaining a new perspective of the status quo. The pock ironwood may aid in connecting with your inner wisdom and with opening the crown chakra so that the third eye is illuminated with cosmic consciousness.

This essence enlightens the third eye chakra.

Affirmation: My inner sight is illuminated by Divine wisdom. I see through the lens of Love and Light.

Corresponding Colour: Indigo

Supportive Essences: The wild peach essence may act as a supportive essence to the pock ironwood – particularly if the pock ironwood essence is being used to address a long-standing imbalance and an “awareness crisis” has arisen. An awareness crisis is an intensification of negative feelings or old patterns of being. It is the soul’s way of calling our attention to these old blockages that need to be acknowledged, blessed and released.

The Pock Ironwood (Fine Ironwood)

Chionanthus foveolata

Family: OLEACEAE

Learning about how this tree grows in nature, brings further appreciation of its essence:

An evergreen, the pock / fine ironwood can range in size from five to thirty meters in height depending on its habitat. It occurs along the coast of South Africa on hillsides, wooded ravines, lowland forests and dune scrub. Sprays of small, sweetly scented white flowers appear from late winter to spring. The flowers are followed by fleshy, ovoid, purple-black fruit that germinate readily. The fruits are enjoyed by numerous bird species. A member of the olive family, this is a tough, wind-resistant tree – perfect for coastal gardens and hedging.

At Platbos this is one of the hardiest of all the forest trees. Its seedlings often carpet the dry forest floor for years, patiently waiting for a gap in the canopy and a good winter rain to fuel their upward growth. The timber of the trees is pale in colour with streaks of dark brown. It is strong and heavy. The outer bark is a soft silvery-grey. Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.

One of the tree’s common names, “pock ironwood” comes from the little pock marks that dot the central veins of the leaves. Inside these little hollows live minute microbes that live symbiotically on the leaf surface, cleaning them of debris and mold.

The energy of the cherry wood tree is soothing and calming. This is an essence that may balance feelings of shock, fear, fright or trauma. Cherry wood may unlock the sense of being “frozen” in the trauma and so create a safe and contained space for self-healing. Cherry wood is a wonderfully comforting essence and may assist with gently reintegrating back into life after the trauma has passed.

Affirmation: The outer world reflects my inner Peace. I am Peace.

Corresponding Colour: Magenta

I find the cherry wood very helpful – I am able to sleep at night and it calms me down. I will definitely recommend it. – Marie
(Marie had a very traumatic experience of being “Car-jacked”)

I have always suffered with headaches at night time – the Cherry Wood essence has taken care of all that – no more headaches and I sleep so well. This remedy has also cleared the abdominal pain left from after my miscarriage – my body now feels healed and “together” again. I am also feeling so much happier and lighter. – Monica

I use the Cherry Wood for one of my older horses who is very anxious and quite insecure. I recently moved stables and he coped extremely well, settling quickly, he has 10 drops in his water bucket at night. – Sam, horse owner.

The Cherry Wood essence has really helped me through a traumatic time!
Knowing you have breast cancer is quite a reality check but it was the 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy that really horrified me. The thought of nuking healthy cells too goes against everything I believe in. Initially I was very emotionally traumatised by that rush of yang energy of the treatment, but very soon, and I do believe with much help from the Cherry Wood and the positive visualisation it afforded me, I started to relax and was able to thank the radiotherapy for the good it was doing! At first, the improvement was emotional and mental, but as the weeks passed and I had my weekly checks by the oncologist, both the radiographers treating me and the onc started commenting on my very positive attitude, my energy and how well my skin was handling the usually damaging rays. And by the end of the 6 weeks my breast was showing almost no visual effect of the treatment! The expected “skin burn”, breast shrinkage and slight hardening just never happened! I was able to continue working full time and have an active social life without feeling exhausted. In fact, in the end, I sailed through something I had dreaded! I thank the Cherry Wood essence for soothing my shock and calming me to the point that very little physical or emotional trauma was evident and I know my energy was not as sapped as others on the same treatment. – Andrée

Melissa’s labor of love in bringing forth these unique thirteen African Tree Essences from a place of all our origins, is a veritable gift to the world of essences and to healing. They provide an important piece of the puzzle, and have become a valuable addition to my essence repertoire.  America is still reverberating from the shock of 9/11 and the ensuing wars, and I am finding that the Cherry Wood and Spike Thorn are coming forward frequently to be used in my work. – Patricia Meyer, Flower Essence Practitioner and Teacher, USA

I took Cherry Wood the afternoon that I got the essences. During that night I had the most real dream that I was working again in the office that I left 9 years ago.

I woke up during the dream as I was crying real tears!  My rational mind said “oh look there is stuff from work that you have not released and are doing it now” and I went back to sleep and went into the same “dream” again. It all ended with me realizing that I did not belong there and did not wish to be a part of what I was experiencing. So although I had thought there was no cellular memory of the hassles I had while I was working it must have been deep seated and the drops brought it out. So the African Tree Essences work not only on past life stuff but this life as well! Absolutely brilliant. – Jean, Energy Healer

My workshop went really well. In fact, it was exquisite and I linger in the afterglow still.
The cherry wood did exactly as promised, I felt grounded, solid, in power, clear headed with an acute capacity for discernment and my senses were wide open, receptive and attuned. I had energy that felt boundless and a sense of compassion and humour that was amplified beyond what I know as “normal”. All in all, a fantastic experience. – Jackie Plank, Clinical Psychologist

I use the cherry wood essence for stilling that nervous “butterflies” in the stomach feeling when giving a speech or interview. Public speaking has always been a challenge for me and of all the remedies that I have tried, the Cherry Wood essence has been most effective: A few drops, applied directly to where the nervousness is felt, clears it immediately. It brings calm and clear thinking so that you can deliver your message unhindered and actually enjoy the experience – Melissa Krige

We welcome your feedback on the African Tree Essences: if you would like to share your experiences about this essence, please contact us.

This essence enlightens the crown chakra.

Affirmation: I am a Being of radiant light energy and my source is Love. My light transforms the world. I am One with the Light.

Corresponding Colour: Violet / White

Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pens, pendulums and pendants.