Foliage from this plant is used as fodder for animals, especially camels, during the dry season in parts of Africa.

In the 18th century the plant's Arabic name Meru (مرو) was used as the source for the genus name Maerua.

[2] It is used as a common nutrition source in central Africa, where it is called jiga and made into soups and other dishes.

It was part of the daily diet of the Kel Ewey tribe of the tuaregs in the Aïr Mountains as late as in the 1980s, who would mix the cooked leaves with goat milk.

[citation needed] Maerua crassifolia has been found growing along the Tsauchab river in Namibia at the following geo coordinates: 24°38'42.6"S 15°39'06.9"E.[4]