Mesembryanthemum edule

Mesembryanthemum edule is an easy-care flowering, shrubby, flat-growing plant genus from the family of the perennial plants (Aizoaceae), whose natural range extends over South Africa and Ethiopia to southwestern Arabia. The succulent (= water-storing) perennial has small, semicircular, thick and fleshy, green, yellow or even reddish leaves. The flowering period of the plant is from April to October. Its flowers are white, orange or red.

The fruits, which slightly resemble a fig, have a jelly-like, sweet-sour flesh and are edible. They are processed into jam (Sour Fig Jam).

Mesembryanthemum edule contains polyphenolic tannins, diterpenes, various fatty acids, citric acid and malic acid. Ethanolic extracts from the above-ground plant are attributed astringent, antibacterial, antimycotic, antioxidant and antiproliferative properties.

A mesembryanthemum-dule-containing paraffin-based ointment led to an improvement of eczematous skin parameters in atopic eczema. Juice and pith from the leaves are used in medicine to treat burn wounds.

1. Hanen F et al(2009) Interspecific variability of antioxidant activities and phenolic composition in Mesembryanthemum genus. Food Chem Toxicol 47:2308-2313.
2. Lakhdar A et al(2011) Municipal solid waste compost application improves productivity, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity of Mesembryanthemum edule. J Hazard Mater 191(1-3):373-379.
3. Omoruyi BE et al The inhibitory effect of Mesembryanthemum edule (L.) bolus essential oil on some pathogenic fungal isolates. BMC Complement Altern Med 14:168.
4. Schario M et al(2014) Children with dry skin and atopic predisposition: daily use of emollients in a participant-blinded, randomized, prospective trial. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 27:208.