Katrafay, Kathrafay

Cedrelopsis grevei

Physical Characteristics

Cedrelopsis grevei is a deciduous Tree growing to 22 m (72ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. 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 and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Africa - western and southern Madagascar.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark Oil Edible Uses: Drink Oil The bitter and aromatic stem bark is used to aromatise local rum, and is also an ingredient of bitter, non-alcoholic drinks[ 299 ]. One of the most important medicinal trees in Madagascar, it is valued especially for the essential oil obtained from the bark (see medicinal uses below).

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Antiarthritic Antiasthmatic Antidiarrhoeal Antirheumatic Antitussive Aphrodisiac Febrifuge Hypotensive Malaria Odontalgic Parasiticide Tonic One of the most important medicinal trees in Madagascar, it is valued especially for the essential oil obtained from the bark, but also has a wide range of other applications. There have been several studies carried out on the plant. The constituents of the essential oil can be extremely variable depending on the location of collection. The main components are ishwarane, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-copaene, beta-elemene and alpha-selinene[ 299 ]. The oils from the bark and the leaf were found to have a similar composition, but the relative percentages of some compounds notably differed[ 299 ]. Numerous coumarins have been isolated from the stem bark. One of these, cedrecoumarin A, showed agonistic activity on both alpha and beta-oestrogenic receptors as well as superoxide scavenging activity[ 299 ]. The hexane extract of the stem bark furthermore yielded triterpenoids, limonoid derivatives, pentanortriterpenoids, a hexanortriterpenoid and quassinoids[ 299 ]. The bark extract has been shown to induce a progressive decrease in blood pressure, which is partly due to the presence of coumarins[ 299 ]. A crude stem bark extract showed significant cicatrizing effect on skin ulcers, as well as antibacterial activity (e.g. against Staphylococcus albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and antifungal activity (against Candida albicans)[ 299 ]. The essential oil obtained from the bark is commonly used in massaging to treat general body pain, toothache, broken bones, muscular pain, arthritis and rheumatism, and a massage of the back is given to treat tiredness and fever. It is also used in baths for these purposes. Its tonic effects as well as its aphrodisiac effects are well appreciated, as it is considered to improve physical and mental fitness[ 299 ]. A stem bark extract is traditionally taken against cough, asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia, diabetes, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rheumatism, intestinal worms, headache, tiredness and as a post-partum tonic. It is also used as a vaginal shower after childbirth for its tonic effects, and is externally applied to wounds and skin infections[ 299 ]. Sometimes a root bark decoction is taken to treat diarrhoea or asthma[ 299 ]. A vapour bath of the leaves is taken to treat weakness of the blood vessels, headache and a sore throat[ 299 ]. The seeds are chewed as an anthelmintic and to treat stomach-ache[ 299 ].

Known Hazards

None known