Common Name:

General Information

Cnestis ferruginea is a shrub or a tree growing to around 6 metres tall[].
The plant is a popular traditional medicine in Africa. With its scarlet fruits, it has value as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

Although widely used as a medicine and tooth cleaner in many parts of Africa, the fruits are considered toxic in Senegal[].

Botanical References

Range

Western tropical Africa - Senegal to West Cameroons and in other parts of tropical Africa.

Habitat

Deciduous forest and secondary scrub[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The stems are cut to yield a potable sap[].

Medicinal

The plant is widely used as a medicine in Africa. There has been little research into its constituents, but the leaves, bark and roots have been recorded as containing tannins, whilst the presence of glycoside may also be suspected[].

The leaves are abortifacient and laxative[, ]. A decoction is used to treat bronchitis and also in cases where a laxative is of benefit[, ].
The leaf is rubbed onto the body in the treatment of eba (fever), whilst the whole the pulped plant is similarly used for treating all manner of pains, mange, asthenia and as a sedative in insanity[].
The sap expressed from leafy twigs is taken by draught for treating fevers[].
The leaf-sap is placed on the eyelids and instilled into the eyes in the treatment of eye-troubles[].

The leaves, or the roots, are used for treating dysmenorrhoea[].

The powdered bark is rubbed into gums in the treatment of pyorrhoea[].
A paste of the root-bark is rubbed on the forehead for treating headaches and, with the addition of the ash of the burnt bark of Calpocalyx Aubrévillei (as a vegetable salt) is given as an appetite stimulant in cases of illness[].

The roots are purgative[]. A decoction is taken by draught as an aphrodisiac, and by enema for gynaecological troubles, and for dysentery and urethral discharge[].
The roots enter into remedies for treating skin-infections, often applied as an ointment, and examination has shown action against Sarcina lutea and Staphylococcus aureus, but no action against Gram -ve organisms, nor fungi[].

The fruit pulp is taken as a tonic, and is used to treat bronchial affections, especially whooping-cough and tuberculosis[]. A medicine of this, and allied species, is given to weakly children to encourage them to walk[].
The fruit pulp is rubbed on the skin and is used as a medicine for the throat[]. The juice is used as an eye-instillation for various eye-complaints, principally conjunctivitis[]. The juice is applied to wounds[].
The fruit, together with the seeds, is ground up with alcohol or boiled in wine to produce a remedy for snake-bite[].

Other Uses

The bitter fruits are used to clean the teeth[]. The fruit contains a soft, juicy, somewhat bitter and acid pulp. This is widely used in many parts of Africa to rub on the teeth to clean and whiten them. It leaves a refreshing taste in the mouth[].

The bark yields a red dye which is used for dyeing clothing[].

The stems are used to make bows[].

Propagation

Seed -

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