I first came upon the information that the Cancer Bush (Sutherlandia frutescens) from South Africa can be used to successfully treat HIV and AIDS in my studies of controversial author David Icke’s work. A very good friend of his, by name of Credo Mutwa, has been growing and using the plant to treat people suffering from the illness.

Icke, by the way, has been so impressed with the elderly Zulu’s knowledge that he has visited him several times in his homeland and conducted interviews with him, which can be viewed on videos.

Credo Mutwa is actually a Zulu shaman and a real mine of information on countless subjects. Knowledgeable as he is, however, he got the scientific name of this medicinal herb slightly wrong and referred to it as “Suderlandia fructosate.” This caused confusion for some people who were hoping to get hold of the plant and I have seen messages posted online at message boards from people looking for it under its incorrect name.

Seeds of the plant are available from time to time from some specialist nurseries and suppliers if you search online.

It has been known to botanists as Lessertia frutescens, and of course this makes things even more confusing, whilst in English it can be called Balloon Pea as well, due to its inflated seed pods, and also as African Ginseng.

This last name refers to the herbs importance as a traditional herbal medicine used to treat a wide variety of ailments and as an all-round tonic that boosts the immune system of the body. It has been used as a remedy for treating fever, chicken pox, flu, rheumatism, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, and stomach and liver problems.

The South African San people call Sutherlandia the "Insisa," and they use it as an anti-depressant and for its stimulant properties.

Sutherlandia frutescens, or simply Sutherlandia, as it is known too, comes from the dry areas of southern Africa, and has been found growing from Western Cape and along the west coast as far north as Namibia and into Botswana. The herb, which is a member of the pea and bean family (Fabaceae) is said to also grow in the western Karoo up to Eastern Cape but it has become very rare in the wild due to over-collecting.

Sutherlandia has also been cultivated as an ornamental flower for gardens because of its pretty red blooms and strange inflated pods.

Sutherlandia frutescens, sub-species microphylla has been the subject of clinical research trials to study its immune-boosting properties and to look into its use as a potential herbal remedy for HIV/AIDS. It was once reported on by the BBC at one point with regard to this research.

Phyto Nova is a company that sells herbal remedies and they were so convinced that Sutherlandia could be used to combat AIDS, that they gave contracts to farmers to cultivate large plots devoted to this herb as a safeguard against it disappearing from its wild habitats. .

If it really is a cure for HIV/AIDS this pretty plant needs to be got to the people who need it and fast!

NB: Please click on the links in the links menu for futher information. I have included one seed firm that sells it too.