Oroko, Iroko

Milicia regia

Physical Characteristics

Milicia regia is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

West tropical Africa - Senegal and Gambia to Ghana.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw[299 ]. The fruit comprises a number of achenes, each 2.5 - 3 mm long, arranged in an infructescence 5 - 8cm long and 1.2 - 2cm wide. Each achene contains a pale brown seed about 2mm long[299 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Antidiarrhoeal Antihaemorrhoidal Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Antiseptic Antitussive Aphrodisiac Cardiac Dysentery Eczema Febrifuge Galactogogue Ophthalmic Purgative Skin Tonic The latex in the plant is credited with antiseptic and healing properties and is applied on wounds and burns[299 ]. Other plant parts probably have similar medicinal uses as those of Milicia excelsa.[299 ]. These are as follows:- 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[299 ]