Entada africana
StarEntada africana
Synonyms: Entadopsis sudanica, Pusaetha sudanica, Pusaetha africana, Entada ubanguiensis, Entada sudanica
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In West and Central African traditional medicine, bark and root decoctions of Entada africana are widely used to treat wounds, fever, hepatitis and other liver complaints, gastrointestinal disorders, and pain; the leaves are also applied to wounds and sores (Burkill, 1995).
Botanical Description
Entada africana is a small to medium-sized tree in the legume family (Fabaceae), widely distributed across the savannas of West, Central and East Africa. Typically reaching 4–10 m, it has a spreading crown and bipinnate leaves with numerous small leaflets. The tiny cream to yellowish flowers are crowded into slender, elongated spikes, followed by large, flat, woody pods that break transversely into segments, each containing a single hard seed. The bark is rough and fissured. A characteristic component of dry and Sudanian savanna woodland, it is fire-tolerant and adapted to seasonally dry tropical climates. The tree is well known in African ethnomedicine, with its bark, roots and leaves widely harvested, and it also serves local uses for fibre and fodder.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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