Common Name: Cabbage Palm

General Information

Cabbage palm is a small to medium-sized tree usually growing up to 18 metres tall but with occasional specimens to 30 metres[]. The bole can be free of branches for up to 15 metres, and 50 - 90cm in diameter[].
This tree is one of several species in the genus that are much used in traditional medicine and for similar medicinal purposes. They may all be used as substitutes for each other. When sold on the market it is difficult to differentiate the dried bark of the different species. The tree is commonly harvested from the wild[]. It is only rarely cultivated, but is often left standing near houses so that it can be harvested for medicinal purposes[]. The timber is also of some economic value[]. The seed and bark are exported from Ghana to industrial countries.

Known Hazards

Accidental poisoning has occurred through the herbal use of this plant[]. The following symptoms have been manifest: colic, obstinate constipation, weakening of the stomach or spasm of the pylorus, fibrillary trembling, pronounced paleness of the skin and heart weakness[].

Botanical References

Range

Western Tropical Africa - Senegal east to the Central African Republic.

Habitat

A lower canopy tree of tropical rainforest and semi-deciduous forest[]. Found in transitional and secondary forests[]. Common in forest clearings, usually below 300 metres, but also found at elevations up to 1,200 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	18.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moister, mainly lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 30°c, but can tolerate 14 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,100 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 3,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a range of soils, preferring one that is well-drained soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[].
The plant flowers throughout the year[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Cabbage palm is widely used in traditional medicine throughout its distribution area as a strong purgative and diuretic[]. An alcoholic extract from the root bark has shown a hypoglycaemic effect[]. Hypotensive and hypoglycaemic activities in the treatment of obese adult diabetics with hypertension have been reported[]. Some caution should be employed with this herb, accidental poisoning has occurred[].
The leaves are collected from young trees or by climbing older one[]. The bark is obtained by slashing or peeling with a cutlass[]. The roots are dug up when the soil is workable[].
The collected material is dried in the sun and kept in wrappers, or is pounded and made into balls[]. Sometimes, the plant material is powdered when dry[].

A root decoction is commonly taken to treat constipation, to regulate menstruation and as an abortifacient[]. Combined with lemon, it has been used to treat hepatitis[].
Externally, it is used as a wash, bath or vapour bath to treat leprosy, venereal diseases, oedema and scrotal elephantiasis[].

The bark has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties[]. The pulp is used as an enema to treat intestinal parasites[]. A bark decoction is taken or used as vapour bath to treat fever, stomach-ache, leprosy, gonorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea[]. The stem bark or powdered young green twigs are applied fresh or as a paste on wounds, abscesses or ulcerous wounds[].

A decoction of twig bark and leaves, together with those of Thaumatococcus daniellii, is used as nose drops to treat headache[]. Combined with Zanthoxylum gilletii, it is made into a paste and applied locally to treat rheumatism[].

A poultice obtained by grinding young leaves with soil from a fireplace and water is believed to promote closure of the fontanelle in babies[]. A decoction of the leaves is taken to treat abdominal pain of uterine origin[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is planted in some areas to protect the soil against erosion[].

Other Uses

Ash from the burnt leaves is used for making soap[].
Potash from the wood is used to make soap[].

The wood is creamy or yellowish white, somewhat lustrous, light weight and soft but firm, easy to cut and finishing smoothly; it is not resistant to decay[]. The grain is straight or irregular, texture moderately coarse[]. It is used for general carpentry, small implements and plywood[].

Propagation

Seed -

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