Mondia whitei, also known as mukombera, is a perennial, woody, fairly robust and vigorous climber that grows from a large tuberous rootstock. It is found throughout tropical Africa, from eastern Senegal to southern Sudan, and in most parts of Central, Eastern and Southern Africa to South Africa. The opposite leaves are large with a cordate base and petioles of 30 to 55 mm long which, with the ribs on the lower surface, are usually reddish purple. The inflorescence is axillary and branchy, the flowers are short-lived and last for 3 to 4 days.
The petals are reddish purple, ± 14 mm long and with a green border. The flowers are unusually large for the subfamily Periplocoideae and have a fruity, foul-smelling scent that grows as the day progresses. The roots of Mondia whitei are highly valued as an aphrodisiac throughout their range, and the leaves are widely used as a vegetable. The roots of Mondia whitei can be harvested all year round, although it is easier to harvest them during the rainy season. Mondia whytei root infusion is popularly used as an aphrodisiac in Malawi and as a natural snack, enhancer of cerebral and peripheral blood circulation.
Several studies have documented the use of Mondia whitei in the treatment of malaria, sexual weakness, premature ejaculation and increased sperm production, as well as in the treatment of urinary tract infections, coughs, jaundice, headache and diarrhea. In Kenya, it is most prevalent in the remaining Kakamega rainforest and its atypical values Malava, Kisero and Bunyala, scattered in the forests and mountain ranges of Nandi, the Chyulu Hills and Mount. The ecosystem of Kenya and some parts of the coastal regions, especially Arabukosokoke (Mukonyi et al., 200) and in Malawi, Uganda. Mondia whytei is a slow-growing vine that used to be abundant in the Kakamega forest, but is now scarce. The main threat to the species has been overexploitation by local communities for commercial and subsistence purposes. The roots of Mondia whytei are widely harvested in the Kakamega forest in a well-organized trade, leading to the scarcity of the Mondia whytei plant.
Roots are consumed by young and old alike as a flavoring and appetizing agent. More than 500 members of the community adjacent to the Kakamega Forest received training on M. Community members are shown how to prepare seedbeds for M. Once mature, the roots come from the plots of the farmer of M.
Whytei will be purchased and used for commercial production in powders and other forms. The formulation of the plant products was refined by ICIPE in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology of the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI).The root of Mondia whytei is being formulated into a high-value powder by KEFRI. The plant is used as a natural snack, enhancer of cerebral and peripheral blood circulation. It is a source of nutrients such as vitamins A, D, K and E, minerals, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium and proteins, while its aroma makes it useful as a food flavoring agent.
The Whytei have been planted by communities adjacent to the forest on their farms. Farmers also plant endangered tree species such as Prunus africanus next to the vine to maintain it. In tropical Africa north of the Equator flowering occurs from May to August with a maximum from June to July; south of the Equator Mondia whitei blooms from October to March with a peak between November and January. In Congo Democratic Republic of Congo Kenya and probably other countries mondia whitei is cultivated in family gardens because of its roots. The bottom line is that there is sufficient scientific evidence to support the use of Mondia whitei as an aphrodisiac. Although the aromatic roots of Mondia whitei are widely used in tropical Africa for medicinal purposes relatively little research has been done on the active compounds. In conclusion Mondia whitei has become rare in many parts of its range due to overexploitation and habitat loss but it still remains an important medicinal plant with many potential benefits for human health.
