East african copal
StarHymenaea verrucosa
Synonyms: Hymenaea gaertneriana, Trachylobium lamarckeanum, Trachylobium gaertnerianum, Trachylobium hornemannianum, Trachylobium verrucosum, Trachylobium mossambicense, Hymenaea hayneana, Hymenaea hornemanniana, Hymenaea lamarckiana
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
The resin of Hymenaea verrucosa, known as Zanzibar copal and as Sundrus in Unani (Greco-Arab) medicine, has been used since antiquity as an astringent remedy and applied in the treatment of wounds, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, excessive sweating and diarrhoea, in addition to its long-standing use as incense (Pharmacological review, 2024).
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Botanical Description
Hymenaea verrucosa, the East African or Zanzibar copal tree (also called the amber tree), is a large evergreen tree of the legume family (Fabaceae) native to the coastal forests of East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and offshore islands such as Zanzibar and Madagascar. It develops a tall, straight bole with a dense rounded crown and bears alternate leaves divided into two asymmetrical, leathery, glossy leaflets dotted with translucent oil glands. The white flowers are borne in terminal clusters and give way to hard, woody, warty-surfaced indehiscent pods containing seeds embedded in a dry mealy pulp. The tree is most famous for exuding a pale yellow to reddish resin, the celebrated copal of commerce, which hardens over time and was long traded around the Indian Ocean as incense and a raw material for varnish; ancient buried resin from the species is a source of amber.
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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