<p><i>Strychnos potatorum</i> (Clearing nut tree) is a deciduous tree with well-known pharmaceutical, medicinal and anthropological uses. Historically, the use of <i>Strychnos potatorum</i> as a medicinal plant is well documented in Asianic communities of Eastern India and Myanmar as well as some in Sub-Sahara Africa. Various parts of the plant from seeds to leaves are used to treat different conditions from gastropathy and bronchitis to diabetes, conjunctivitis, and even ulcers. The seeds of <i>Strychnos potatorum</i> are also known to be effective in water treatment and purification realms as an effective coagulant and an antimicrobial agent in the treatment of contaminated surface and underground waters. The ripe fruit pulp of <i>Strychnos potatorum</i> is also in some areas used as a washing detergent. This makes the plant an untapped vessel for sustainable use in regions where it is abundantly available especially in Sub-Sahara Africa. In this review, the focus is to bring to light the applications of this species and document its uses as well as look at the physicochemical characteristics that suit the plant to these various applications. This is an important natural wealth to the region where the plant is prevalent, in the Chobe and Ngamiland areas in Botswana and northern Limpopo in South Africa<i>.</i></p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>