Common Name:

General Information

Anthocleista procera is an unarmed, evergreen tree growing 6 - 20 metres tall. The cylindrical bole is unbuttressed and around 15 - 50cm in diameter[]. The leaves on older trees are 40 - 45cm long and around 20cm wide, but in young plants they can be up to 145cm long and 45cm wide[].
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[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Nigeria.

Habitat

Swampy places in open bush country at low elevations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is widely used throughout its distribution area as a strong purgative and diuretic[].

A root decoction is commonly taken to treat constipation, to regulate menstruation and as an abortifacient[].
Applied externally, the root it is used as a wash or bath, or as a vapour bath, to treat leprosy, venereal diseases, oedema and scrotal elephantiasis[].

A decoction of the bark is used as a treatment against fever and as a stomachic[]. The pulp of the sun-dried bark, mixed with palm oil, is taken to treat constipation[].

A seed or bark decoction is a strong purgative and should be used with caution and only if a strong effect is desired[].

The leaf sap is applied to the nostrils to provoke sneezing as a treatment of common cold[]. A leaf decoction is used as a face wash to treat dizziness[].

The plant contains the secoiridoid glycoside swertiamarin, which is used in traditional Asian medicine to treat a range of conditions including hepatitis[].
The fruits contain about 4.7% of the triterpene acid anthocleistin[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used as wrapping material[].

Propagation

Seed -

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