African cherry (pygeum)

Prunus africana

A bark extract is used in Europe for benign prostate enlargement; the evidence is limited.

Safety notes

Can cause stomach and bowel upset. Always have prostate complaints assessed by a doctor. Protected under CITES (Appendix II, since 1995); choose sustainably harvested products.

Cautions by tradition (1)

African healing traditions: Use only bark from sustainable cultivation; the wild tree is endangered.

Preparation

Traditionally as a decoction of the bark; commercially as a standardised extract.

Use in traditions

In the mountain forests of Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda and Madagascar a decoction of the bark is used for fever, stomach ache, malaria and urinary complaints. Since the 1960s the bark has been exported to Europe on a large scale for prostate remedies. Because of overharvesting the tree has been on the CITES list since 1995 and is now also planted.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

African healing traditions

Attributed effects

A bark decoction for fever, stomach ache, malaria and urinary complaints; the bark is also chewed for chest pain.

Preparation and amount

Dried bark as a decoction. No dosage is given here.

Caution: Use only bark from sustainable cultivation; the wild tree is endangered.

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction

Sources

All herbs from Africa →