Mandravasarotra (Saro) - Bio

Native to Madagascar this evergreen and very aromatic tree can reach up to 5m of height. In Malagasy, Mandravasarotra means «what keeps evil away». This is the plant most used by the populations of the western part of the island. In that Sakalava area the plant is called Motrobeatiagnana or Motrobeatianina meaning « big fire in the entrails » because its overground part has a spicy and hot flavour. But, depending on the different Malagasy dialects, it is also called Fanalamangidy “what takes away the bitterness“ or Mangidymanitra “what smells like bitterness“ or Sakarivohazo “gingerwood“ ou Sakaihazo “pimento wood“.