Ntsiki Mazwai Sparks Debate: Can Menstrual Blood Really Fertilise Your Garden?

by Zaghrah Anthony

Ntsiki Mazwai Sparks Controversy with Gardening Tip

Podcaster, poet, and outspoken social commentator Ntsiki Mazwai has set social media abuzz once again—this time with an unusual gardening tip. On DJ Sbu’s popular The Hustler’s Corner podcast, Mazwai suggested that women’s menstrual blood could act as a natural fertiliser, helping plants grow.

“In ancient Africa, women worked the land because when we are on our period, our blood nourishes the earth and helps plants grow bigger,” Mazwai explained. She even encouraged women to experiment by mixing their menstrual flow with water to feed their vegetable gardens.

The clip quickly went viral, prompting reactions ranging from curiosity to outright shock.

A Deep Cultural Connection

Mazwai’s comments are rooted in a long-standing African perspective that sees women’s biological cycles as sacred. Across the continent, menstrual blood has been historically associated with fertility, purification, and spiritual power.

“Mother Nature is not just a metaphor,” Mazwai said, connecting her remarks to the broader symbolism of women’s link to the land in African traditions. “Women have always had a profound connection to the earth.”

Her statements echo beliefs in many indigenous cultures where menstruation is not hidden or shamed, but revered—sometimes incorporated into rituals to symbolically nourish the land and celebrate fertility.

The Science Behind the Claim

There’s some truth to the idea—blood contains nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential for plant growth. These nutrients are also the main components of blood meal fertilisers, widely used in agriculture.

On social media platforms like TikTok, some women have experimented with adding small amounts of menstrual blood to soil or compost. The results are often shared with excitement, blending curiosity, tradition, and DIY gardening culture.

However, experts caution that using untreated human fluids carries health risks. Bacteria and parasites present in blood can contaminate soil, posing potential dangers if the plants are intended for consumption.

Social Media Divided

The reaction online has been mixed. Some users praised Mazwai for celebrating women’s ties to nature and sparking conversation about African traditions. Others, however, raised safety concerns and questioned the mystical framing of women’s bodies.

One comment read:
“I am not a doctor, but to suggest applying menstrual blood directly to garden soil sounds risky. You could spread blood-borne illnesses.”

Another user pointed out:
“We can honour African knowledge without slipping into dehumanising stereotypes. Just because it has nutrients doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe.”

@Funo_Rali added a practical reminder:
“Blood is rich in nutrients, yes, but untreated human fluids can carry microbes. You could end up with parasites in your food.”

Balancing Tradition with Safety

Mazwai’s tip highlights a tension between celebrating cultural wisdom and understanding science. Menstrual blood may indeed contain nutrients that plants love, but using it in edible gardens without treatment is unsafe. Composting it properly or using scientifically formulated fertilisers achieves similar results without health risks.

Whether you see Mazwai’s suggestion as revolutionary or shocking, it opens an important dialogue about the value of indigenous knowledge, the sacredness of women’s bodies, and practical gardening science. For now, it’s safe to admire the idea, respect the culture, but perhaps leave your spinach and kale to traditional fertilisers.

Source: IOL

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