Common Name:

General Information

Newbouldia laevis is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree. It only reaches a height of 3 - 8 metres in the west of its range, but can attain a height of up to 20 metres in the east[, , ]. The bole can be up to 90cm in diameter, but is usually less[].
The tree has a range of local medicinal uses, for which it is gathered from the wild. It is often grown as a living hedge to mark boundaries, and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it is valued for its flowers.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Cameroon and Gabon.

Habitat

Secondary and dry forests, commonly found in regenerating forests[]. Woody savannah and deciduous forests[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position in a fertile, well-drained soil[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The tree, and especially the bark, is widely used in traditional medicine in Africa.

The bark is analgesic, stomachic[]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs, diarrhoea and dysentery, whilst it is also given to children for treating epilepsy and convulsions[].
A decoction of the bark, combined with chillies, is used in the treatment of chest pains[].
The dried bark and young twigs, pounded up with spices such as Xylopia sp, are given in decoction or infusion to treat such complaints as uterine colic, dysmenorrhoea, etc[].
The bark is given in the form of an enema as a treatment for constipation and piles[].
One or two sniffs of a snuff made of the sun-dried bark ground up and combined with palm salt (K2CO3) and the fruits of Piper guineense are taken in the treatment of headache, sinusitis, head-colds, etc. It is said to dispel the most obstinate migraine[].
Applied externally, the bark is said to cure a range of skin conditions including septic wounds, abscesses and ulcers; and is also used to treat snake-bite[]. Heated in a little boiling water, it is patted on the head as a treatment for headache[]. Pulped up to a paste, it is applied to rheumatic joints, especially painful arthritis in the knee. In some cases a plaster is applied after massage[].
The soft inner soft bark is put into the ear as a treatment for earache[].

A decoction of the leaves is used to treat ophthalmia, conjunctivitis etc[, ]. The leaves are cooked in palm-oil soup and taken by pregnant women in order to effect easy delivery and, after parturition, to promote a rich milk supply[]. The leaf-ash, mixed with salt, is taken as a remedy for pain over the heart
A decoction of the leaves, combined with those of Psidium guajava, is taken in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[].
The chewed-up leaves are applied to the wound of a snake bite, which is then sucked to draw out the venom

A decoction of the pounded roots is used in the treatment of intestinal problems and syphilis[]. A macerate or decoction of the roots is taken by mouth as a vermifuge to rid the body of roundworm, and is also used to treat hernia and syphilis. The treatment is purgative and is regarded as more or less toxic[].
Applied externally, it is used as a poultice to treat aching limbs[]. Root scrapings, combined with chilli, are put into a carious tooth[].
Combined with Lophira sp, the roots are used for massaging onto areas of oedema arising through dietary deficiency[].
In refractory cases of arthritis, where walking has become impossible, various parts of Trichilia prieuriana are added to an aqueous infusion of the roots for internal and external use[].


The roots and leaves are often used together. They are a familiar remedy for scrotal elephantiasis, or for any form of orchitis, a decoction being drunk or the materials pounded up together and applied hot. They are also credited with aphrodisiac properties[]. They are boiled together for administration as a febrifuge[].
Rabbit and guinea-pig is reported (26).

Agroforestry Uses:

Growing easily from large cuttings, the tree is often grown as a living fence and boundary marker[, , ].

Other Uses

The leaves are used to remove stains from the hands and fabrics[, ].

The bark contains tannins[].

The heartwood is pale brown in Nigeria, but is reported to be yellow or yellowish-pink when growing in Ghana[, ]. The wood is moderately hard, even textured and durable[, ]. When cut, the wood remains alive and does not decay for a long time so that it is often used for knife handles, fences, posts, bridges and out-of-doors woodwork[]. It is also used to make stakes for yams to climb on[].
The wood makes a good fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings - very easy, even large limbs will root successfully in the open ground[].

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