Mukombero (or White's ginger, Mondia whitei, in the family Apocynaceae) is a perennial, woody, rather vigorous climber with aromatic roots.
Mondia is used in many parts of Africa as a traditional remedy to improve appetite and libido, as a galactagogue, as a fertility medication, and as an antidepressant. In African countries, where it is used medicinally, the most commonly cited use is as an aphrodisiac. As food, mukombero contains a wide range of vitamins (A, D, K and E), minerals (magnesium, iron, zinc and calcium) and proteins too. Its bitter roots have a vanilla taste and are hence used to make tea.
