Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

Fruit - eaten raw when fully ripe[301 ]. The fleshy arils surrounding the seeds are firm and oily, with a nutty flavour, though they can soon become rancid[46 ]. The fleshy fruit can also be curried, used in soups, stews, etc[301 ]. The fruit is harvested when they have split open naturally, revealing four large glossy black seeds embedded in spongy, cream-coloured buttery arils[307 ]. The pear-shaped fruit is about 75mm long, 45mm wide, and is produced in clumps of 3 - 10[46 , 335 ]. The fruit must be allowed to open fully, or at least partly, before it is detached from the tree[317 ]. Unripe or overripe arils, as well as the seeds, contain hypoglycin and its derivative - they are strongly toxic[301 , 317 ]. The seeds yield a yellowish oil that is believed to be edible[299 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal  Antipruritic  Diuretic  Dysentery  Epilepsy  Febrifuge  Laxative  Ophthalmic  
Parasiticide  Skin  Stomachic

The plant (part not specified) is used to treat anaemia and itching[617 ]. In traditional medicine in Cote d?Ivoire, Blighia sapida is widely used for the treatment of yellow fever, epilepsy and oedema, and as a laxative and diuretic[299 ]. Sap from terminal buds is instilled in the eyes to treat ophthalmia and conjunctivitis[299 ]. The pulp of ground-up leafy twigs is rubbed on the forehead to treat migraine[299 ]. The ground-up leaves, combined with plant salts, are applied as a paste to treat yaws and ulcers[299 ]. The leaves are used in the treatment of fever and vertigo, and twigs to treat hepatitis, cirrhosis and amygdalitis[299 ]. Bark and leaf decoctions are administered to treat oedema, intercostal pain, dysentery and diarrhoea[299 ]. Decoctions of bark or fruit walls are applied to wounds[299 ]. Pounded bark is administered as an antidote to snake and scorpion bites[299 ]. The bark, ground-up with capsicum pepper (Capsicum annuum), is rubbed on the body as a stimulant[299 ]. The seeds are taken to treat stomach complaints, including nausea and vomiting[299 ]. Aqueous seed extracts are administered to expel parasites[299 ]. The fruit pulp is used to treat whitlow[299 ]. A water-soluble and heat-stable toxic compound, hypoglycin A, is present in the aril of unripe seeds, as well as in the seed and in the pinkish to reddish tissue at the base of the aril. The Jamaican vomiting sickness is associated with this compound and is characterized by vomiting, generalized weakness, altered consciousness and sometimes even death. Hypoglycaemia and depression of the central nervous system are common. The aril of fully ripe seeds after natural dehiscence of the fruit is nearly free of the toxic compound. The consumption of unripe seed arils has probably caused many cases of encephalopathy in children in Burkina Faso and other West African countries.

Charcoal  Containers  Fuel  Furniture  Ink  Mordant  Oil  Parasiticide  Potash  Soap  Soap making  Soil conditioner  Soil stabilization  Wood

Design: Small shade tree; small fruiting tree; specimen tree; xerophytic. Agroforestry Uses: The tree is often planted to provide shade[299 , 317 ]. It is considered useful for soil improvement and erosion control[299 ]. Other Uses: The dried fruit husks are rich in potash; the ashes can be used in making soap[299 , 307 ]. The flowers are used in the preparation of an aromatic water[46 , 301 ]. Used as a cosmetic[46 ]. The green fruits lather in warm water and are used as soap for washing and as a mordant for dyeing[299 , 307 ]. The oil from the seeds are used in making traditional soap[299 ]. The seeds contain about 26% of oil which is suitable for industrial applications[299 ]. An ink for tattoos is made from the seeds[299 ]. The heartwood is orange-brown or reddish brown; it is distinctly demarcated from the whitish sapwood. The texture is moderately coarse; the wood has little lustre. It is moderately heavy, hard, moderately durable and quite resistant to termite attack. It is easy to work with both machine and hand tools. The wood moulds and sands well and takes an attractive finish. The wood is mainly used for light construction and furniture, but sometimes also for casks, boxes, crates, food containers, packing cases, tool handles, paddles, pestles, mortars, handicrafts, carving and turnery. It is suitable for interior trim, joinery and railway sleepers[299 ]. Dried fruit husks are rich in potash. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[299 ]. Wild fruit for birds and bats nectar for bees. A honey plant.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Carbon Farming  Food Forest