None known

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  Antiinflammatory  Astringent  Malaria  Odontalgic  Ophthalmic  Parasiticide  
Skin

The bark, with its blood-red, gummy, resinous exudate, ('false dragon's blood' or 'kino') is often used in traditional medicine. In particular, it is a powerful astringent, being used in the treatment of conditions such as diarrhoea, heavy menstruation, nose bleeding, headache, stomach-ache, blood in the urine and schistosomiasis[299 , 303 ]. Applied externally, the bark is used in the treatment of sores, skin problems, mouth ulcers, 303 etc[299 ]. It is heated in water and mixed with figs then massaged on the breast to stimulate lactation[303 ]. A cold infusion from the bark alone provides a remedy for nettle rash.[299 ]. A decoction of the root is believed to cure malaria, blackwater fever and gonorrhoea[299 , 303 ]. An infusion made from the roots is taken orally for the treatment of diarrhoea, bilharzia and abdominal pains[303 ]. Roots are burnt and the ashes drunk in water to treat asthma and tuberculosis[303 ]. Corneal ulcers are bathed in an eyewash obtained when roots of the tree are first cleaned and then left to soak in water for 6 hours. In the follow-up treatment of this ailment, flowers are placed in boiling water over which the patient holds the face, allowing the steam to fill the eyes[303 ] Ripe seeds are burnt and the ashes applied as a dressing on wounds, inflammation, psoriasis and bleeding gums[299 , 303 ]. The sap is reputed to heal sores, including ringworm sores and stab wounds, and to treat various other ailments[303 ] Dropping sap into the eyes is used to treat cataracts and sore eyes[303 ]. Root extracts are lethal to adult schistosomes causing bilharzia and are comparable to praziquantel, an efficacious antischistosomal drug[299 ].

Basketry  Cosmetic  Dye  Fencing  Fuel  Furniture  Parasiticide  Soil stabilization  Tannin  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: A nitrogen fixing plant, it has been used for soil conservation, dune fixation, live fencing and as an ornamental casting a light shade and with attractive fruits[299 , 303 ]. The tree is regarded as an indicator of well-drained soils[303 , 418 ]. Other Uses The heartwood of the roots, pounded to powder, yields a fast brownish red dye which is used mainly to dye palm-leaf fibres for basket weaving[299 ]. Strips of palm leaves are boiled for about 12 hours in a dye bath containing hot water and the bark. After drying, the resulting red-brown fibres are used to obtain coloured designs in basketry weaving[299 ]. The dye obtained by extracting finely chopped roots or wood in alcohol can be used to dye wool and cotton various shades of brown to bright red[299 ]. The powder is also mixed with oil or fat to make a cosmetic pomade, which had great cultural importance[299 ]. It is traditionally applied to all exposed portions of the body, including hair, face, breasts, arms and legs[299 ]. It is also used to dye leather clothing, which is the traditional form of clothing for men and women alike and it still has cosmetic, medicinal and symbolic importance[299 ]. The inner bark and heartwood of the trunk and branches are also said to be used by some people to obtain dye[299 ]. The kino resin from the bark can be harvested by making incisions in the bark and collecting the exuding sap[299 ]. The sap contains 77% tannins[303 , 418 ], and is used as a long-lasting dye[349 ]. The inner bark is fibrous and is used in basketry[299 ]. The tree shows considerable promise as a firebreak[200 ]. The heartwood is pale to dark brown or reddish-brown, often with streaks; it is distinctly demarcated from the pale grey or pale yellow sapwood[299 ]. The grain is straight to interlocked, texture medium to coarse[299 ]. The wood is relatively light, it dries well but slowly, without warping and with little or no tendency to check or split[299 ]. Once dry, it is very stable[299 ]. The wood works well with hand and machine tools, only moderately blunting cutters; straight-grained material planes and finishes well[299 , 466 ]. The bending properties are moderate. The wood is easy to peel and slice, and has good glueing and excellent turning and carving properties[299 ]. The heartwood is moderately durable; it is moderately resistant to termites and marine borers[299 ]. The sapwood is liable to powder-post beetle attack. The heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment, the sapwood is moderately resistant[299 ]. A very valuable timber, it is a good substitute for Indian teak, which it somewhat resembles, although not so straight-grained. It is used for construction, carpentry, high-class furniture manufacture (tables, chairs, benches), parquet flooring and veneer, and in South Africa and Namibia particularly for wood carving (bowls, spoons and walking sticks). Due to its flexibility, resistance and lightweight it is also useful for boats, doors and windows[299 , 303 , 466 ]. The wood is occasionally used for firewood[303 ].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer