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.
Antibacterial  Antibiotic  Aphrodisiac  Leprosy

Products from the bark have been used in the treatment of leprosy. A bark extract is drunk or an infusion of the root is applied as enema as an aphrodisiac[299 ]. A decoction of the twig bark is applied as a bath against yaws, scabies and syphilis[299 ]. A root decoction is given as enema against leprosy[299 ]. An ethanolic extract of the wood has shown hepatotoxic and haematotoxic effects when administered orally[299 ]. Extracts of the bark have been shown to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis[299 ]. Because of its antibacterial properties, the addition of small amounts of bark to the diets of chicken, as a substitute of commercial antibiotics, improved feed conversion rates[299 ]. The bark contains the highly toxic compound mansonine, related to cardenolides from Digitalis and ouabain from Strophanthus[299 ]. Its aglycon was identified as strophanthidin. In addition some 30 toxic glycosides have been identified[299 ]. From the wood similar glycosides, an azulene derivative, and a range of quinones, called mansonones A-I and L, have been isolated. Mansonone A is the main causal agent of the allergic reaction to the sawdust. The seeds too contain a large number of cardenolide glycosides, including glycosides of strophanthidin and nigrescigenin. The glycosides strophothevoside and strophalloside are about as toxic to mammals as ouabain[299 ].

Furniture  Wood

Other Uses The heartwood is yellowish brown to dark grey-brown or even dark brown, often with purple, reddish or greyish green streaks, often in alternating light and dark bands. It fades on exposure to a somewhat dull brown. It is distinctly demarcated from the 2 - 6cm wide band of white to pinkish sapwood. The grain is usually straight, texture fine, lustre moderate, without distinct odour or taste. The wood is of medium weight, moderately hard, very durable, being resistant to fungi, borers and termites It dries fairly rapidly with little distortion or degrade. The wood is easy to work with hand and machine tools with little or only moderate blunting effect on cutting edges and no charring; the surface can be worked to a good finish; the wood holds nails and screws fairly well, but iron tends to corrode in contact with it; gluing properties are good; the wood takes stain and polish well. The wood peels well, but requires softening beforehand; veneer is rather fragile. Steam-bending is easy unless knots are present. The wood is used for general and high-class joinery, cabinet work, furniture, turnery, decorative veneer and handicrafts. It is also used in construction for doors and windows, in railway coaches and shop fittings, and for boxes and crates. Well-coloured wood resembles American black walnut and is commonly used as a substitute for applications such as gun stocks and grips, musical instruments and loudspeaker enclosures[299 , 316 , 848 ].

Special Uses