Edible Parts: Fruit  Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment

Young leaves - cooked[299 ]. The ripe fruits are edible[299 ]. The fruit juice is used for flavouring[299 ]. The fruit is green, wrinkled, fleshy and resembles a fat green caterpillar[299 ]. It is up to 7.5cm long and 2.5 cm wide[303 ].

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.
Antiasthmatic  Antidiarrhoeal  Antihaemorrhoidal  Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Antitussive  Aphrodisiac  Cardiac  
Dysentery  Eczema  Febrifuge  Galactogogue  Ophthalmic  Purgative  Skin  
Tonic

African teak is widely used in African traditional medicine. Research has shown that chlorophorin, a phenolic compound found in the plant, has inhibitory effects on melanin biosynthesis. Its more stable derivative, hexahydrochlorophorin, may have potential for use in skin-whitening agents and for treating disturbances in pigmentation[299 ]. Two phenolic compounds (chlorophorin and iroko) have shown in-vitro anti-amoebic activity[299 ]. A methanol extract of the stem bark has shown in-vivo anti-inflammatory properties[299 ]. A root decoction is taken to treat female sterility. A decoction of the root and stem bark is taken as an aphrodisiac[299 ]. The bark is aphrodisiac, galactagogue, purgative and tonic[299 ]. It is used to treat a wide range of conditions including cough, asthma, heart trouble, lumbago, spleen pain, stomach pain, abdominal pain, oedema, ascites, dysmenorrhoea, gonorrhoea, general fatigue, rheumatism, sprains[299 ]. Bark preparations are externally applied to treat scabies, wounds, loss of hair, fever, venereal diseases and sprains[299 ]. They are also applied as an enema to cure piles, diarrhoea and dysentery[299 ]. The latex is considered to be galactagogue[299 ]. It is taken in the treatment of stomach problems, hypertension, tumours and obstructions of the throat[299 ]. Externally, it is applied on burns, wounds, sores and against eczema and other skin problems[299 ]. The leaves are galactagogue[299 ]. They are eaten to treat insanity, and a decoction is taken for the treatment of gallstones[299 ]. Externally, leaf preparations are used in the treatment of snakebites and fever, and as eye drops to treat filariasis.

Charcoal  Dye  Fuel  Furniture  Hair  Mulch  Pioneer  Roofing  Sandpaper  Soil conditioner  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is used for soil improvement through its leaf mulch, and soil conservation[299 , 325 ]. A natural pioneer species within its native range, supplying a high-grade timber. It could be a useful addition in reforestation projects to restore native woodland[K ]. Other Uses The mature leaves have been used as sandpaper[299 ]. The bark is used for dyeing leather and cloth[299 ]. The bark is used for making the roofs of houses[299 ]. The bark of young trees has been used for making loincloths[299 ]. The heartwood is pale yellow to yellow, darkening on exposure to yellowish or greenish brown or sometimes to chocolate brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 50 - 75mm wide band of yellowish white sapwood. The grain is interlocked; texture medium to coarse; figure mottled. The wood is somewhat greasy and is odourless[299 ]. The wood is of medium weight, moderately hard, of good durability, being resistent to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. Working properties for hand and machine tools are generally good but variable; the interlocked grain may hamper sawing and planing. The wood is rather abrasive due to the presence of hard deposits (‘iroko stones’, mainly consisting of calcium carbonate), which can blunt cutting edges. Tearing in planing can be avoided by using cutting angles of 15° or less. The wood has good nailing, screwing, mortising and gluing properties and turns easily. It finishes well, but filler is needed. The wood contains the stilbene derivative chlorophorin, which prevents oil-based paints from drying, and which corrodes metal in contact with it. Steam-bending properties of the wood are moderate[299 ]. The wood is a highly valued commercial timber in Africa, for which demand is large. It is used for construction work, shipbuilding and marine carpentry, sleepers, sluice gates, framework, trucks, draining boards, outdoor and indoor joinery, stairs, doors, frames, garden furniture, cabinet work, panelling, flooring and profile boards for decorative and structural uses. It is also used for carving, domestic utensils, musical instruments and toys. As it is resistant to acids and bases, it is used for tanks and barrels for food and chemical products and for laboratory benches. It is used as sliced veneer but only rarely as rotary veneer[299 , 848 ]. The wood is also used as firewood and for making charcoal.[299 ].

Special Uses