Afzelia africana
Scientific name: Afzelia africana
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Edible uses
The fleshy pulp in the seedpod, surrounding the seeds, has a sweet flavour.
Some caution is advised because the seed is poisonous.
Pods flattened 12-17 x 5-8 x 3.5 cm, glabrous, black, woody, persistent bursts open at maturity spreading the seeds. Seeds poisonous, with a sweet edible aril.
The seeds are being investigated for their usefulness in providing seed flour and seed oil.
They contain about 27% crude proteins, 33% crude carbohydrates and 18% of the seed dry weight is oil.
Tender young leaves – occasionally cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Medicinal
The plant is used in traditional medicine, where it is considered to be analgesic, antihaemorrhagic, aphrodisiac, emetic, emmenagogue, febrifuge and laxative.
The plant is used in local medicine for general pain relief; treating digestive problems such as constipation and vomiting; and for internal bleedings (haemorrhagic).
A decoction of the stem bark is used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatism.
An infusion of the bark is used as a treatment against paralysis, and a decoction against constipation. The pulp is combined with Pericopsis and Tamarindus and used as a diuretic and febrifuge.
The maceration is used as a remedy for leprosy.
The ash of the bark, prepared with Shea butter as a soap, is used as a treatment against lumbago. In a decoction or prepared with food, it is a treatment for back-ache.
The roots are pulverised with millet-beer and used to treat hernias and, in a decoction with pimento, as a remedy against gonorrhoea and stomach-ache.
A leaf decoction, combined with Syzygium guineensis leaves and Xylopia fruit, forms a drink that is used to treat oedema.
Photo by Marco Billi aka jarguna
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