Advantages of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant;

The inner bark of the Anogeissus leiocarpa as human and livestock anthelmintic for treating worms, as a chewing stick and antibacterial properties, aphrodisiac and stimulant plant, to prevent and cure dental caries and toothache;

Edible uses of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant;

Medicinal uses of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant;

General Information of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant:

Anogeissus leiocarpa; African birch “Kojoli in Pulaar” is an evergreen shrub or small or medium to big sized tree with an open crown of gracefully drooping, pubescent branches; it can grow up to 15 meters, occasionally reaching 30 meters.

The straight, slightly grooved bole usually branches from low down, it can be up to 100 cm in diameter, a plant of African tropics, from lowland to moderate elevations, able to grow in semi arid to much moister areas.

A multipurpose tree that is very important to the local economy. It provides an edible gum, various medicinal uses and a range of other commodities, many of which are sold in local markets. The plant is highly esteemed as a source of dying material which is much used in traditional crafts in Africa.

The tree yields a valuable timber, known as 'Kane' in the trade, and so has been widely exploited commercially. It is often grown for its ornamental value and in drier regions becomes an effective shade tree. It flowers in the rainy season, from June to October, the seeds winged samaras are dispersed by ants.

Traditional uses of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant:

Anogeissus leiocarpa is one of plants used to make traditional mud clothe dyes; small branches with leaves are crushed to make one of the yellow dyes.

The inner bark of the tree is used as human and livestock anthelmintic for treating worms, and for treatment of a few protozoan diseases in animals, and babesiosis.

The inner bark is used also as a chewing stick in some countries and extracts of the bark show antibacterial properties.

Edible uses of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant:

An edible gum is obtained from the bark, fairly soluble in water, it is chewed and it is considered the best chewing gum substitute for gum Arabic.

A cold water infusion of the gum is considered a palatable beverage, and decoction is given to a new born baby to drink.

The fruit and the calyx are used in the preparation of sauces or to make a tea, as well as tender young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Medicinal uses of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant:

The bark as well as leaves and roots are all used in traditional medicine, usually in the form of decoctions or infusion; they have antimicrobial and anthelmintic activity.

Extracts of the stem and root bark, and of the leaves have shown antifungal activity against a number of pathogenic fungi.

A decoction of the leaves or leafy twigs is used against yellow fever, jaundice, different kinds of hepatitis, common cold and headache, externally, a leaf decoction is applied against hemorrhoids and skin diseases.

Other uses of Anogeissus leiocarpa plant:

The root bark is considered to be aphrodisiac and stimulant, in some regions the bark is used as febrifuge to lower temperature in hot lotions and infusions.

The powdered bark and bark decoction are used externally to treat wounds, eczema, psoriasis, anthrax, carbuncles, boils and several kinds of ulcers, the bark decoction is also known as a muscular tonic.

The bark and the exuding gum have shown to prevent and cure dental caries and toothache and are commonly used in Africa.

The gum obtained from the bark is laxative, it can be used in pharmacy as an emulsifying agent, and the bark itself is chewed to obtain the gum.

The fleshy roots are used against labor pains, the pulped roots are applied to sores to promote healing, and accelerate wound healing, and the seeds have a wide bactericidal and fungicidal activity in humans and animals.

The bark and roots are a source of tannins and dyes, the ash of the leaves, the bark and the wood are used as mordant to improve the fastness of many other dyes and in the indigo dying process to maintain the necessary alkaline PH.

The wood ash is used as a lye in washing clothes and as a basis for making soap; the damaged bark exudes a partially soluble gum. See the impacts of climate change.

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The Anogeissus leiocarpa plant