Edible Parts: Inner bark
Edible Uses: Drink

A bark decoction added to fermenting palm wine would make it a more potent drink[ 299 ].

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Anaesthetic  Cardiac  Diuretic  Emetic  Laxative

A bark extract is taken orally as an emetic and laxative[ 299 ]. A decoction of the bark is applied externally to relieve pain[ 299 ]. Water in which the bark of young branches is crushed, is rubbed on the skin to treat smallpox[ 299 ]. The plant is a source of alkaloids. The bark contains the alkaloids cassaine, cassaidine and erythrophleguine. The alkaloid content ranges from 0.2% to 1.1%. In high doses, the bark extract is an extremely strong, rapid-acting cardiac poison, in warm-blooded animals causing shortness of breath, seizures and cardiac arrest in a few minutes[ 299 ]. The alkaloids have a stimulant effect on the heart similar to that of the cardenolides digitoxine (from Digitalis) and ouabain (from Strophanthus gratus), but the effect is very short-lasting, as the alkaloids are quickly metabolized in the organism[ 299 ]. Cassaine and cassaidine have strong anaesthetic and diuretic effects, and increase contractions of the intestine and uterus[ 299 ]. Apart from an increase of heart contraction in systole, the alkaloids also demonstrated an increase in diastole. In addition, cassaidine caused depressive effects, while cassaine caused a violent state of excitation[ 299 ]. Although the alkaloid content in the seeds is markedly lower than in the stem bark, the seeds are more toxic[ 299 ]. This strong activity is due to a strong haemolytic saponin, which acts in a synergistic way with the alkaloids[ 299 ].

Charcoal  Fuel  Tannin  Wood

The bark is used for tanning[ 299 ]. The heartwood is an orangey yellowish brown to reddish brown, darkening upon exposure; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 6cm wide band of creamy-yellow sapwood. The grain is interlocked; the texture coarse; the lustre is moderate. The wood is hard to very hard; heavy to very heavy; elastic; durable, even in contact with the soil, being resistant to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. It seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable to stable in service. The wood is difficult to saw, with a fairly high blunting effect, stellite-tipped sawteeth and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; finishing is generally fair, but planing may be difficult due to interlocked grain; pre-boring is necessary for nails and screws; gluing properties are good for internal purposes only. The wood and iron should not be in contact in damp situations because of risks of reciprocal attack between the wood and the metal. The wood is suitable for joinery, heavy flooring, railway sleepers, harbour and dock work, turnery, construction and bridges. It is also used for boat building and wheel hubs[ 299 , 848 ]. The wood is a good fuel and makes excellent charcoal[ 299 ].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer