Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum

The leaves are also used to curdle milk.

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Antidiarrhoeal  Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Antiseptic  Antitussive  Appetizer  Blood purifier  Diuretic  
Dysentery  Febrifuge  Galactogogue  Hypotensive  Laxative  Leprosy  Pectoral  
Poultice  Skin  Tonic  Vulnerary

The leaves have a high reputation as a 'cure-all' in Africa, where they are used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions. They are most commonly taken in decoctions or are mixed with foods[332 ]. The bitter tasting leaves are antitussive, appetizer, blood purifier, diuretic, febrifuge, galactagogue, laxative, pectoral and tonic[332 ]. They are used to treat a wide range of conditions such as: pulmonary and respiratory complaints, including coughs and fevers; digestive tract problems including colic, dysentery and diarrhoea; infectious diseases including syphilis, beriberi and leprosy; and various other conditions such as impotence, rheumatism and oedema[332 ]. The powdered leaves are mixed with food as a general tonic and blood restorative after any exhausting condition, and especially given to women after childbirth to promote the flow of milk[332 ]. The leaves are commonly made into an infusion, combined with those of Combretum micranthum, for treating fever, chest and rheumatic conditions, and as a nasal douche for cold in the head[332'. Combined with tamarind pulp, the leaves are held to be a good laxative and appetizer[332 ]. The plant has a special reputation as a preventive of leprosy and many people drink a cold decoction of the leaves every morning and evening; in particular it is given to the newborn child, and to the child of a leper parent, or when there is the least suspicion of hereditary taint or early symptoms[332 ]. The dried leaves are smoked in a pipe and the smoke is blown through the nose as a remedy for colds[332 ]. They are mixed with tobacco for smoking as a treatment for coughs and respiratory trouble[332 ]. The powdered leaves are added to a snuff taken for headache and sinusitis[332 ]. The leaves are applied externally to bring healing to the body - they are considered antiseptic and vulnerary. They are applied to wounds, sores in the mouth, syphilitic chancres and phagadenic ulcers[332 ]. The leaves are applied to skin infections and in poultices on inflammatory swellings and for guinea-worm; they have been applied to tumours to maturate them and as a treatment for skin-diseases[332 ]. A leaf-decoction is used as a body-wash and for bathing new-born babies[332 ]. The fruit and leaves are common ingredients in more or less ceremonial prescriptions for strengthening and preventing disease in young children[332 ]. The twigs are chewed for symptomatic relief of scorpion stings[332 ]. The powdered and boiled roots are considered a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery[332 ]. The fruits, baked and reduced to a powder with salt added to mask the bitter taste, are considered a sovereign cure for hiccups[332 ]. Leafy stems have been found to contain traces of alkaloids and tannins[332 ]. Ash of the roots and leaves appear to be particularly rich in magnesium, calcium, strontium, titanium, iron and aluminium[332 ]. Pharmacologically the plant has positive action on coughs, is hypotensive, antidiarrhetic and anti-inflammatory[332 ].

Basketry  Fencing  Fuel  Gum  Pioneer  Repellent  Tannin  Teeth  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: A typical pioneer species, the seed is spread by grazing animals and the plant grows especially well where the soil has become impoverished. It is capable of colonizing tracts of land, which might otherwise be bare, to form pure stands[332 ]. Restriction of the plant's spread is recommended in Senegal to improve the quality of Sahel pasturage[332 ]. The plant is often found growing on very poor and degraded land - it is seen as an indicator of overgrazed land[774 ]. Other Uses: The bark yields a gum which is marketed[332 ]. The thin branches are used for plaiting work when making baskets, for mats that are used for sand stabilization, and for fencing material[774 ]. The roots are commonly split and used as chew-sticks and tooth-picks[332 ]. The smoke from burning branches repels flies[774 ]. The wood is whitish or tinged red, coarse-grained, knotted and short, but very hard. It used for the framework of wells, bed-posts, etc[332 ]. The shrub is commonly cut to fence farms[332 ]. The branches, and particularly the roots, are considered to be a good fuel[332 ].

Special Uses