Common Name:

General Information

Anthocleista schweinfurthii is a tree growing up to 30 metres tall. The bole an be up to 70cm 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 has a beautiful form and is planted for amenity purposes and shade[, ].

Known Hazards

The plant (part not specified) is used to prepare arrow poison[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Nigeria to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Zambia and Tanzania.

Habitat

Secondary forest; gallery forest; in thickets and sometimes in savannah or rainforest; usually not in moist localities, at elevations from 400 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is galactogenic[].

A stem bark decoction is taken to treat hernia and female sterility[].

A root decoction is taken to treat stomach-ache in women, ovarian problems, venereal diseases, hernia, bronchitis and fever, and also as a purgative and to induce labour[]. In Tanzania a root decoction is taken to treat malaria, hard abscesses and as an anthelmintic[].

Sap of young leaves, root powder or bark pulp is used to treat sores, abscesses, as a haemostatic and for cicatrization[]. Sap is applied topically to treat otitis and ophthalmia[].

A decoction of leaves and roots is used as an enema to treat pain in the side. A bath is taken in a leaf decoction to treat vaginal prolapse. A decoction of twig bark and leaves or the sap is taken to treat fever, or used as an enema[].

The plant contains the secoiridoid glycoside swertiamarin[].
The bark contains traces of alkaloids[].
The roots contain up to 3% alkaloids[].
The leaves, bark and roots contain steroids and terpenes[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Pole-cuttings are used to establish hedges or living fences[].

Other Uses

The wood is very soft and is used for firewood[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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