Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[303 ]. Seeds - cooked[303 ]. The seed needs to be thoroughly cooked in order to avoid emetic or intoxicating effects[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.
Antibacterial  Antidiarrhoeal  Antifungal  Aphrodisiac  Astringent  Dysentery  Febrifuge  Haemostatic  
Leprosy  Malaria  Odontalgic  Ophthalmic  Parasiticide  Purgative  Tonic


The tree, and especially the resin, is commonly used in traditional medicine in Africa. Some research has been carried out into the medicinal properties of the tree, much of which has confirmed the traditional uses. The bark exudate quickly hardens upon exposure to air. It contains 30 - 80% kinotannic acid, which is a strong astringent[299 ]. Bark extracts have shown in-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against several human pathogens. In tests they blocked the ovulation and oestrus cycle through antigonadotropic activity[299 ]. Moderate in-vitro antimalarial activity of the bark extract was also demonstrated against strains of Plasmodium falciparum[299 ]. The effectiveness of the bark as a wound-healing agent was confirmed in tests, and the activity may be explained by the presence of phenolic compounds that have an effect on the immune system[299 ]. The bark has shown significant antioxidant activity[299 ]. Water and methanol extracts showed in-vitro inhibitory activities against Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the latter being a causative agent of tuberculosis[299 ]. The resin, known as kino, is astringent and haemostatic. It is taken internally to treat diarrhoea including dysentery, fever, gonorrhoea and intestinal worm infections[299 ]. Externally, the resin is used to treat eye complaints, ulcers and sores[299 ]. Decoctions or infusions of the bark or roots are used in the treatment of bronchial infections, toothache, dysentery, menstruation complaints, anaemia, gonorrhoea, post-partum haemorrhage, ringworm infections, leprosy, wounds, tumours and ulcers, and as an anti-emetic, purgative and tonic[299 ]. Root preparations are administered as an enema to treat venereal diseases[299 ]. Leaf decoctions are used to treat fever, syphilis and are used as an aphrodisiac[299 ].

Charcoal  Dye  Fencing  Fodder  Fuel  Furniture  Parasiticide  Pioneer  Repellent  Tannin  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: A natural pioneer species in its native habitat, readily invading fallow land. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen, though is fairly slow-growing when young[299 , 414 ]. The tree has potential for use as live fencing[303 ]. The tree is the source of a good quality nectar for bees[303 ]. Other Uses Kino, a red substance resembling resin, is obtained by tapping the heartwood. It is rich in tannins and can be used as a red dye and medicinally as an astringent[375 , 418 ]. The heartwood is a source of a red dye, which is used for dying cloth, the body or hair[46 , 299 , 303 , 328 ]. The dyestuff is pulverized and mixed with water, the cloth dipped and dried and shea oil or palm oil rubbed in to produce a dark purple colour[303 ]. The bark is occasionally used for tanning[299 ]. The reddish bark exudate ('kino') is beaten onto cloth with a mallet to give it a glaze[299 ]. Decoctions of the leaves are used as insect repellents[299 ]. The heartwood is yellowish brown to reddish brown, often with purplish brown streaks; it is distinctly demarcated from the 2 - 8cm thick, yellowish or pale cream-coloured sapwood. The grain is straight to interlocked, texture fine to moderately coarse; fresh wood has an unpleasant aroma. The wood is moderately heavy to very heavy; hard; very durable, being very resistant to fungi, dry-wood borers and termites; it is also resistant to freshwater organisms. It seasons slowly but with very little risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is stable in service. The wood has a fairly high blunting effect and is rather difficult to saw and work, requiring considerable power; stellite-tipped sawteeth and tungsten carbide cutting tools are recommended; it finishes well, but picking up may occur in planing due to interlocked grain; it holds nails and screws well, but pre-boring is needed because it is brittle; gluing properties are often poor because of the presence of exudates in the wood, but the wood readily accepts stains and polishes well; it turns well, and the bending properties are moderate. The wood is highly valued for furniture and cabinet work, but is also used for heavy construction including waterworks, parquet flooring, stairs, implements, turning, sculpturing and sliced veneer. It is also suitable for joinery, interior trim, mortars, pestles, house posts, mine props, ship and boat building, vehicle bodies, sporting goods, toys, novelties, musical instruments (e.g. Balafons) and precision equipment[299 , 848 ]. The roots are made into bows[299 ]. The wood is suitable for fuel and is used to make a good quality charcoal[299 , 303 ]. The charcoal is highly valued by local blacksmiths[414 ].

Special Uses

Coppice  Nitrogen Fixer