Edible Parts: Leaves  Stem
Edible Uses:

Edible portion: Leaves, Stems. The sweet extract from the stems is eaten. Chew sticks can also be made from the root-wood part of the plant.

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Antibacterial  Antidiarrhoeal  Antihaemorrhoidal  Antiinflammatory  Antiviral  Diuretic  Dysentery  Febrifuge  
Laxative  Leprosy  Malaria  Odontalgic  Parasiticide  Poultice  Purgative  
Skin

The leaves, roots and pods are widely used in traditional medicine[ 299 ]. There has been some research into the medically active substances in the plant and several compounds have been identified including calcium oxalate, flavones), an anthraquinone and tannins[ 299 ]. The purgative action of the plant can be ascribed to the anthraquinones. The flavones cause diuresis and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. An assay for antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 showed that extracts had a significant activity against this virus[ 299 ]. Leaf extracts were found to be active against Staphylococcus lutea, Mycobacterium phlei, Bacillus subtilis and Proteus sp., but not against Staphylococcus albus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli[ 299 ]. The entire plant is purgative and diuretic. An infusion is given against all children?s diseases[ 299 ]. Powder of different plant parts is applied to teeth to cure toothache; when mixed with butter it is used to treat skin diseases[ 299 ]. An infusion of the leaves sweetened with honey is taken against stomach-ache, ulcers and diarrhoea[ 299 ]. A steam bath of leafy twigs boiled in water is prescribed to help against malaria attacks and fever; the liquid should also be drunk[ 299 ]. Boiled and squeezed fresh leaves are applied as poultice in pleurisy or burns[ 299 ]. Gonorrhoea in women is treated by taking leaf powder with food[ 299 ]. The twigs are used to treat sleeping sickness[ 299 ]. The roots, boiled in water, are used to treat haemorrhoids, bilharzia, leprosy, dropsy and bloody dysentery[ 299 ]. In large doses it is used to treat intestinal worms including tapeworms, although this is risky[ 299 ]. A pinch of powdered dried decorticated roots, taken at the end of each meal, is said to prevent malaria[ 299 ]. After soaking the roots in water, the liquid is used for a bath against tiredness and for body massage[ 299 ]. Crushed roots are rubbed on the temples to treat headache[ 299 ]. An infusion of the root bark is employed against venereal diseases, sterility and dysmenorrhoea[ 299 ]. Capsules made from the root bark are prescribed against Aids[ 299 ]. The yellow pulp around the seeds and an infusion of the pods is taken as a laxative[ 299 ].

Parasiticide  Teeth

Other uses rating: Low (2/5). An ornamental tree with brightly colored attractive flowers. Agroforestry Uses: The tree is sometimes planted in shelterbelts[ 774 ]. Other Uses: The root wood is used as chewsticks[ 299 ]. The heartwood is white or yellowish-pinkish, darkening to dark red upon exposure. It is finely textured, heavy, very hard, resistant to termites and difficult to work[ 299 , 774 ]. It is suitable for making furniture, cabinet work, tools, construction and railway sleepers[ 299 , 774 ]. The wood is used for fuel, but it is considered inferior because it produces a lot of smoke[ 299 ].

Special Uses