Microdesmis keayana and Microdesmis puberula are morphologically nearly similar, their medicinal uses are largely overlapping and they might well belong to the same species. The distribution area of Microdesmis puberula links up with that of Microdesmis keayana, from Nigeria east to Central Africa and Uganda[].

Common Name:

General Information

Microdesmis keayana is a shrub usually growing up to 3 metres tall, occasionally to 6 metres[].
A popular traditional medicine within the plants native range, it is commonly harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and also provides an edible fruit and other commodities for local use. It is grown as a shade tree in coastal villages and is used for making village palisades[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Sierra Leone to Nigeria.

Habitat

Common in the undergrowth of damp secondary forest, and also occurs on firm soil in primary rainforest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant recovers well from bush fires[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The fruits are sometimes eaten[].

Medicinal

A popular traditional medicine in Africa, the stem bark, leaves and roots have numerous medicinal uses throughout the distribution area of this plant - these uses are very similar to those of the closely related Microdesmis puberula.
The aqueous and methanolic root extracts have shown hypotensive and vasorelaxing properties in tests. Both extracts have also shown strong anti-oxidant activity[].
A dichloromethane extract from the leaves has shown significant antiplasmodial activity in vitro against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum[].
Different plant extracts did not show significant antitrypanosomal or anthelmintic activities in vitro[].

The leaves, cooked with chicken, are given to treat palpitations. A leaf infusion is taken to induce menstruation and to act as an abortifacient[]. The leaf sap, sometimes combined with the twig sap, is commonly taken orally or applied as an enema to treat diarrhoea[]. The leaves are an ingredient of poison antidotes[].
The powdered leaves, sometimes combined with Capsicum fruits, are rubbed on the abdomen or taken orally in order to treat colic, chest complaints, fatigue, pain in the side, kidney pain and feverish stiffness - a leaf decoction can be used for the same purposes[].
A paste made from pounded leaves, combined with those of Desmodium adscendens, is mixed with white clay and applied to scabies[]. The crushed leaves, combined with those of Mareya micrantha, are used as a local massage to treat general body pain, painful kidneys or ribs, or overall fatigue[]. The leafy twigs are a major component of a medicinal wash used for the daily care of newborn babies in order to prevent dermatological and intestinal affections and excessive weight loss[]. A decoction made from the leaves or leafy twigs or ground young leaves is used as a steam bath or wash to treat rheumatism or migraine[]. The leaf sap is applied as nose drops to treat epilepsy and convulsions[].
Mental disorders are treated with a decoction of the leaves and roots, combined with the leaves and roots of Newbouldia laevis - this is taken orally and is also used as a wash[].
The leaf sap; or crushed and burnt twigs; or the roots; are applied to snakebites or to wounds in order to stop bleeding and to heal them[].

A decoction of the whole plant is taken as an emmenagogue and to treat dysentery[].
The leaf and bark pulp are applied to sprains and burns[].

The powdered twig bark is rubbed on the body, whilst a macerate of leafy twigs and roots is applied in the form of an enema, to act as an aphrodisiac[].
Root bark scrapings, combined with the leaves of Piper guineense and water, are applied to the breasts to treat mastitis[].

A root infusion, or a decoction of the whole plant, is taken orally as an aphrodisiac[]. A root decoction is drunk to treat venereal diseases[].

The fruit is chewed to prevent ulcers[].
Boiled fruits are applied as a poultice to tumours[].

Other Uses

The twigs are used as chew sticks in order to maintain gum health and dental hygeine[].

The thin flexible branches are used as ties for fastening roof thatch[].

The stems are used to make fishing gear and spring traps because of their strength and resilience, and the wood is used to make handles and implements[].

Propagation

Seed -

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