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Cabbage palm
( Anthocleista nobilis )
Family
Loganiaceae
Synonyms cabbage tree,
bontodi, fante, awudifoakete, ashanti, wasaw, hororoho
Character antiparasitic,
astringent, antibacterial
Description The cabbage
palm tree has a light grey bark and produces oblong, dark green leaves with
white, fleshy flowers. Its fruit consists of an oblong berry with numerous
brown seeds. It is found in northwestern forested areas of Africa.
Phytochemistry The bark
contains the alkaloids brucine and loganine.
Traditional rain forest use
In areas of Ghana, cabbage tree bark is boiled and the extract which remains
is used to treat intestinal disorders, worms, and hemorrhoids. The Fantis
people take root bark extracts of this plant and combine them with red
pepper and ginger to use as an enema preparation for the treatment of a
hernia. Bark decoctions and infusions are used for gonorrhea and sitz baths
are used for colic and abdominal pain. Various tribes would make a pulp out
of the bark for enemas used to treat intestinal parasites in children.
tribes of the Central African Republic used cabbage palm's green leaves in
powder form to treat ulcers. The leaves mixed with lemon were especially
popular in areas of Sierra Leone for uterine disorders. Baths made from
whole plant teas were used for skin infections and conjunctivitis.
Modern medicinal applications
Alcohol extracts of the root bark are used to treat blood sugar disorders
such as hypoglycemia and diabetes. Compounds found in cabbage palm seem
beneficial for obese diabetics who also suffer from high blood pressure.
Decoctions of the root have also been used to treat fever. this particular
plant is been used in Gabon and other areas as a medicinal staple.
Safety This herb is not
currently available for consumer use in this country, and has yet to be
assessed for safety. Anecdotal reports indicate that the plant can be
poisonous. |
