African Teak

Milicia excelsa

Physical Characteristics

Milicia excelsa is a deciduous Tree growing to 50 m (164ft) by 35 m (114ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Tropical Africa - Guinea Bissau east to Ethiopia and south to Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Condiment Young leaves - cooked[299 ]. The ripe fruits are edible[299 ]. The fruit juice is used for flavouring[299 ]. The fruit is green, wrinkled, fleshy and resembles a fat green caterpillar[299 ]. It is up to 7.5cm long and 2.5 cm wide[303 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Antidiarrhoeal Antihaemorrhoidal Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Antitussive Aphrodisiac Cardiac Dysentery Eczema Febrifuge Galactogogue Ophthalmic Purgative Skin Tonic African teak is widely used in African traditional medicine. Research has shown that chlorophorin, a phenolic compound found in the plant, has inhibitory effects on melanin biosynthesis. Its more stable derivative, hexahydrochlorophorin, may have potential for use in skin-whitening agents and for treating disturbances in pigmentation[299 ]. Two phenolic compounds (chlorophorin and iroko) have shown in-vitro anti-amoebic activity[299 ]. A methanol extract of the stem bark has shown in-vivo anti-inflammatory properties[299 ]. A root decoction is taken to treat female sterility. A decoction of the root and stem bark is taken as an aphrodisiac[299 ]. The bark is aphrodisiac, galactagogue, purgative and tonic[299 ]. It is used to treat a wide range of conditions including cough, asthma, heart trouble, lumbago, spleen pain, stomach pain, abdominal pain, oedema, ascites, dysmenorrhoea, gonorrhoea, general fatigue, rheumatism, sprains[299 ]. Bark preparations are externally applied to treat scabies, wounds, loss of hair, fever, venereal diseases and sprains[299 ]. They are also applied as an enema to cure piles, diarrhoea and dysentery[299 ]. The latex is considered to be galactagogue[299 ]. It is taken in the treatment of stomach problems, hypertension, tumours and obstructions of the throat[299 ]. Externally, it is applied on burns, wounds, sores and against eczema and other skin problems[299 ]. The leaves are galactagogue[299 ]. They are eaten to treat insanity, and a decoction is taken for the treatment of gallstones[299 ]. Externally, leaf preparations are used in the treatment of snakebites and fever, and as eye drops to treat filariasis.

Known Hazards

The wood and sawdust may cause dermatitis, irritation to nose and throat, and asthmatic reactions, due to the presence of the phenol chlorophorin[299 ].